Cefdinir interacts with other medications, alcohol, and various substances, which may impact its efficacy or cause side effects.
Rewritten Article:
Cefdinir can interfere with certain medications and supplements, such as birth control pills, antacids, and diuretics. It's essential to discuss all your medications with your doctor before starting cefdinir to avoid potential complications.
Cefdinir is a generic medication that cures various bacterial infections, including middle ear infections, strep throat, and pneumonia in children and adults. Uniquely, cefdinir is not specified under a brand name.
Interactions occur when one substance affects another medicine's performance. Cefdinir orally comes in capsules and liquid suspension, both sharing the same interactions. However, this article primarily discusses interactions concerning cefdinir capsules.
To ensure cefdinir is safe and effective for you, learn about possible effects, cautions, and interactions.
Cefdinir interactions with other medications
Before you begin cefdinir treatment, inform your doctor and pharmacist about any prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, and other remedies you are taking. By sharing this information, you may help avoid harmful interactions.
To find out whether cefdinir interacts with supplements, herbs, or vitamins, view the "Cefdinir and additional interactions" section.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about potential drug interactions that may affect you.
Here's a list of medications that may interact with cefdinir. Remember that this list doesn't include all potential interactions. Additional information on these collisions can be found in "Drug interactions explained in detail."
| Drug class or medicine name | Medicine examples | Impact on cefdinir || --- | --- | --- || Certain antacids | Aluminum hydroxide/magnesium carbonate (Gaviscon)
Aluminum hydroxide/magnesium hydroxide (Maalox)
Calcium carbonate/magnesium hydroxide (Rolaids) | May reduce cefdinir's effectiveness || Diuretics (loop) | Torsemide (Soaanz)
Bumetanide (Bumex)
Furosemide (Lasix) | May increase the risk of kidney damage || Birth control pills | Ethinyl estradiol/levonorgestrel (Seasonale, Seasonique, etc.)
Desogestrel/ethinyl estradiol (Cyclessa, Kariva, etc.)
Ethinyl estradiol/norethindrone (Aurovela, Gildess, etc.) | May lessen the effectiveness of birth control pills || Probenecid | - | May boost the risks of side effects from cefdinir || Lanthanum carbonate (Fosrenal) | - | May diminish cefdinir's effectiveness || Warfarin (Jantoven) | - | May increase the risk of bleeding |
Why avoid cefdinir
In some instances, contraindications may prevent your doctor from prescribing cefdinir due to potential harm. Learn about cefdinir's contraindications below.
Note: Before taking cefdinir, share this information with your doctor if these contraindications relate to you. They'll determine whether cefdinir is suitable for you.
Had an allergic reaction to cefdinir, its components, or similar drugs
Your physician likely won't give you cefdinir if you've had an allergic reaction to cefdinir, any of its ingredients, or cephalosporins -- a related drug class. Taking cefdinir following this reaction might lead to another allergic response. Discuss alternative treatments with your doctor.
certain antacids
Cefdinir and alcohol
Alcohol and cefdinir interactions are not recognized. Nonetheless, your doctor may advise against or limiting alcohol during cefdinir treatment because consuming alcohol might worsen certain side effects, such as diarrhea or headache.
Concerned about drinking alcohol while taking cefdinir? Consult your doctor.
• aluminum hydroxide/magnesium carbonate (Gaviscon)• aluminum hydroxide/magnesium hydroxide (Maalox)• calcium carbonate/magnesium hydroxide (Rolaids)
Drug interactions in depth
Here's more information on several cefdinir drug interactions.
Certain antacids
can make cefdinir less effective
Antacids soothe symptoms of conditions like heartburn and indigestion. Taking antacids with cefdinir may reduce the medication's effectiveness, especially those containing magnesium or aluminum. These minerals may bind to cefdinir, hindering its absorption and effectiveness.
Examples of antacids that may interact with cefdinir:
- Aluminum hydroxide/magnesium carbonate (Gaviscon)
- Aluminum hydroxide/magnesium hydroxide (Maalox)
- Calcium carbonate/magnesium hydroxide (Rolaids)
Actions you or your doctor may take
Due to the risk of this interaction, take cefdinir at least 2 hours before or after consuming an antacid containing magnesium or aluminum. This should help prevent the minerals from impacting cefdinir's performance.
Before taking any antacids with cefdinir, consult your doctor or pharmacist. They can help you determine whether an antacid contains magnesium or aluminum.
loop diuretics
For more insights on cefdinir and antacids, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.
Diuretics (loop)
Diuretics manage blood pressure and certain heart conditions. Taking cefdinir with a diuretic may increase the risk of kidney damage, although kidney damage is rare with cefdinir. Diuretics can strain kidneys, and using these drugs together could potentially escalate the likelihood of new or worsened kidney damage.
• torsemide (Soaanz)• bumetanide (Bumex)• furosemide (Lasix)
Here are some diuretics that may interact with cefdinir:
- Torsemide (Soaanz)
- Bumetanide (Bumex)
- Furosemide (Lasix)
Actions you or your doctor may take
can increase the risk of kidney damage
Before taking cefdinir, ensure your doctor is aware if you're taking a diuretic. They can offer guidance on whether it's safe to use these medications together.
If your doctor prescribes cefdinir along with a diuretic, they may schedule tests to check your kidney function. They'll inform you about what to do if you experience kidney damage.
For further information on cefdinir and diuretics, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Birth control pills
Birth control pills prevent pregnancy. Using cefdinir with birth control pills might lessen birth control effectiveness. This is because antibiotics like cefdinir may cause your body to eliminate the birth control pill faster than usual, lowering its concentration in your system and reducing its effectiveness for pregnancy prevention.
Below are some birth control pills that may interact with cefdinir:
birth control pills
- Ethinyl estradiol/levonorgestrel (Seasonale, Seasonique, etc.)
- Desogestrel/ethinyl estradiol (Cyclessa, Kariva, etc.)
- Ethinyl estradiol/norethindrone (Aurovela, Gildess, etc.)
Actions you or your doctor may take
Before starting cefdinir treatment, inform your doctor if you're using birth control pills. They can suggest whether it's safe to use these medications together.
• ethinyl estradiol/levonorgestrel (Seasonale, Seasonique, others)• desogestrel/ethinyl estradiol (Cyclessa, Kariva, others)• ethinyl estradiol/norethindrone (Aurovela, Gildess, others)
If your doctor prescribes cefdinir while you're using birth control pills, they may advise you to use a backup method of birth control like a diaphragm or condom.
For more insights on cefdinir and birth control pills, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Cefdinir and other interactions
can make birth control pills less effective
Potential interactions may exist between cefdinir, supplements, meals, vaccines, or lab tests.
Cefdinir interactions with supplements
Cefdinir may interact with magnesium supplements and iron supplements. Using cefdinir with magnesium or iron may reduce cefdinir's effectiveness.
Due to this risk, your doctor may advise taking cefdinir at least 2 hours before or after taking magnesium or iron supplements. This should help prevent these supplements from affecting cefdinir's performance.
Before starting cefdinir treatment, inform your doctor and pharmacist about all supplements, herbs, and vitamins you take. Disclosing this information may help prevent potential interactions.
If you have questions about medications that might affect you, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
probenecid
Cefdinir and herbs
No specific reports suggest herbs interfere with cefdinir. Nonetheless, it's essential to check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking these substances during cefdinir treatment.
Cefdinir interactions with vitamins or minerals
-
No specific reports hint at vitamins interacting with cefdinir.
However, cefdinir may interact with the minerals iron, magnesium, and aluminum. Using cefdinir with any of these minerals may reduce its effectiveness.
Due to this risk, your doctor may advise taking cefdinir at least 2 hours before or after taking iron, magnesium, or aluminum. This should help prevent those minerals from interfering with cefdinir's performance.
can increase the risk of side effects from cefdinir
It's crucial to note that certain multivitamins might also contain minerals, including iron, magnesium, and aluminum. Speak with your doctor to determine the ideal multivitamin for you.
Cefdinir interactions with food
While iron supplements may interact with cefdinir, no specific reports indicate food interactions with cefdinir. Your doctor can recommend whether the iron in iron-rich foods, such as dark chocolate, may be high enough to interact with cefdinir.
If you'd like more information about foods to avoid while taking cefdinir, talk with your doctor.
Cefdinir and vaccines
No known interactions exist between cefdinir and vaccines. Consult your doctor or pharmacist to check whether you're due for any vaccines.
lanthanum carbonate (Fosrenal)
Cefdinir interactions with lab tests
Cefdinir may interfere with certain urine glucose tests, which detect glucose (sugar) in urine. If you receive these tests while taking cefdinir, test results may show that glucose is present in your urine even though it might not actually be there.
Before having a urine glucose test, inform your doctor if you're taking cefdinir. They may offer a different type of glucose test that cefdinir doesn't affect.
-
Cannabis and Cefdinir
Cannabis (commonly known as marijuana) and cannabis products, like CBD, have not been specifically reported to interact with cefdinir. However, as with any drug or supplement, consult your doctor before using cannabis along with cefdinir. The damage cannabis may inflict on your treatment plan could affect its effectiveness.
Note: Cannabis remains illegal at a federal level but is legal in many states to varying degrees.
can make cefdinir less effective
Cefdinir and related health factors
Certain medical conditions and factors may increase the risk of interactions with cefdinir. Before taking this drug, discuss your health history with your doctor. Cefdinir might not be the best option if you have specific medical conditions or other health factors.
Health factors or conditions that may interact with cefdinir include:
- Colitis: Inform your doctor if you have ever experienced colitis (inflammation of the large intestine). Using cefdinir may worsen colitis symptoms. Your doctor can tell you whether cefdinir is suitable for you.
- Kidney problems or hemodialysis: Inform your doctor if you have a kidney issue or undergo hemodialysis. They may adjust your cefdinir dosage to minimize possible side effects or enhance its effectiveness.
- Allergic reaction: Your doctor is unlikely to prescribe cefdinir if you've had an allergic reaction to cefdinir, its components, or similar drugs called cephalosporins. Taking cefdinir could cause another allergic reaction. Ask your doctor about alternative treatments suitable for you.
- Breastfeeding: Cefdinir is typically considered safe to take while breastfeeding. The drug is not believed to pass into breast milk. If you're breastfeeding or planning to, discuss cefdinir with your doctor. They can tell you whether the drug is a suitable treatment option. If needed, they can suggest ways to feed a child other than breastfeeding during cefdinir treatment.
- Pregnancy: There is insufficient data to determine whether cefdinir is safe to take while pregnant. If you're pregnant or planning to become pregnant, consult your doctor before starting cefdinir. They can suggest the most suitable treatment plan for you.
Frequently Asked Questions about cefdinir and interactions
Should I avoid dairy products with cefdinir?
warfarin (Jantoven)
Usually, it's not necessary to avoid dairy products with cefdinir. There is no recognized interaction between cefdinir and dairy products.
You may need to avoid dairy when taking certain antibiotics. Calcium in dairy could influence the antibiotic's effectiveness. However, calcium and dairy do not seem to affect cefdinir.
If you have other questions about cefdinir and dairy products, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
-
Can cefdinir and ibuprofen be taken together?
Yes, you can use cefdinir and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) together if your doctor suggests it. There are no documented interactions between cefdinir and ibuprofen.
Ibuprofen is given to relieve pain and inflammation. Cefdinir is used to cure bacterial infections, which could cause related symptoms. Your doctor may recommend combining cefdinir with ibuprofen to ease pain or inflammation related to infection.
can increase the risk of bleeding
If you have other questions about cefdinir and ibuprofen, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Preventing interactions
You can take several steps to prevent interactions with cefdinir. Your doctor and pharmacist are crucial resources, so share your concerns with them. Consider the following actions:
- Reveal if you drink alcohol or use cannabis.
- Share info about any other medications, supplements, herbs, and vitamins.
- Keep a medication list, and your doctor and pharmacist can help you fill it out.
It's also important to follow the cefdinir label instructions carefully and consult them for any colored stickers mentioning an interaction. The manual, sometimes called the medication guide or patient package insert, may contain details about interactions.
If cefdinir doesn't include paperwork, ask your pharmacist to print a copy. If you require assistance reading or understanding this information, don't hesitate to speak with your doctor or pharmacist.
Additionally, always take cefdinir as prescribed by your doctor.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has taken every possible step to ensure factually accurate, comprehensive, and current information. This article should not be taken as a substitute for a licensed healthcare professional's expertise. Consult your doctor before taking any medication. The presented information on drug interactions should not encompass all possible uses, instructions, precautions, warnings, adverse effects, or allergic reactions. If interactions are not listed here, it does not indicate that they do not exist or cannot be recognized in the future.
- Cefdinir, an antibiotic, can interact with various medications, affecting its performance or increasing the risk of side effects.
- Consult your doctor and pharmacist about any prescription, over-the-counter drugs, and other remedies you are taking to avoid potential harmful interactions with cefdinir.
- Antacids that contain magnesium or aluminum, diuretics (loop), birth control pills, probenecid, and warfarin may interact with cefdinir, potentially leading to reduced effectiveness or increased risks of side effects.
- Lanthanum carbonate can diminish cefdinir's effectiveness, and warfarin may increase the risk of bleeding in individuals taking cefdinir.
- Discuss cefdinir cautions and interactions with your doctor before starting treatment, especially if you have specific medical conditions, are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have had an allergic reaction to cefdinir, its components, or similar drugs.
- Potential interactions may also exist between cefdinir and certain supplements, meals, vaccines, or lab tests.
- For detailed information on particular drug interactions, consult your doctor or pharmacist for assistance and guidance.
