Cefdinir in Children — What Parents Need to Know

Got a child with an ear or sinus infection and your doctor mentioned cefdinir? This quick guide explains what cefdinir does, how it’s usually given to kids, and the safety tips parents should follow.

How cefdinir is used in kids

Cefdinir is an oral cephalosporin antibiotic commonly used for bacterial ear infections, sinusitis, some throat infections, bronchitis, and certain skin infections. Doctors prescribe it when the likely bacteria are sensitive to this medicine or when other first-line options aren’t suitable. It’s approved for children 6 months and older.

Remember: antibiotics only help bacterial infections. If your child has a viral cold or flu, cefdinir won’t help and can cause unnecessary side effects.

Practical dosing, administration and warnings

Dosing is weight-based. A common pediatric regimen is 7 mg/kg every 12 hours or 14 mg/kg once daily, with a usual maximum of 600 mg per day. The medicine comes as capsules for older kids and as a liquid suspension (typically 125 mg/5 mL or 250 mg/5 mL) for younger children. Always follow the exact dose your prescriber gives.

Tips for giving the medicine: shake the bottle well before each dose, use a dosing syringe or cup (not a kitchen spoon), and give it with or without food — food can reduce stomach upset. Finish the full course even if your child seems better, unless the doctor tells you otherwise.

Watch for common side effects like diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain, or a mild rash. If your child gets severe diarrhea (especially watery or bloody), develops hives, swelling, difficulty breathing, or yellowing of the skin or eyes, stop the medicine and get medical help right away.

There are two practical interaction notes: avoid giving iron-containing supplements or foods high in iron close to a cefdinir dose — iron can make the stool turn reddish and reduce the drug’s absorption. Also separate antacids or products containing magnesium or aluminum by at least two hours when possible.

If your child has a known penicillin allergy, tell the doctor. True severe cross-reaction between penicillins and cephalosporins is uncommon but possible, so clinicians weigh risks and benefits before prescribing.

Storage: follow the label. Reconstituted liquid usually has a limited shelf life (often about 10 days), so check instructions on the bottle. Keep all meds out of reach of children.

Final practical note: if symptoms don’t improve in 48–72 hours, or if they get worse, call your pediatrician. They may need to re-evaluate the diagnosis or change treatment. With correct use, cefdinir can be an effective option for many common pediatric bacterial infections.