Cefdinir Interactions: Compatibility with Different Drugs, Alcohol, and Additional Considerations
Cefdinir, a generic drug used to tackle various bacterial infections, can have some interactions with other medications and certain supplements.
Be forthright with your doc and pharmacist about any medication, over-the-counter remedies, and supplements you're taking, as this information is crucial for preventing possible interactions. Keep in mind that the table below doesn't list all potential interactions, just the main ones.
| Medication Class or Example | Example Meds | Potential Impact on Cefdinir || --- | --- | --- || Certain antacids | like Gaviscon, Maalox, and Rolaids | May make cefdinir less effective || Loop diuretics | torsemide, bumetanide, and furosemide | Increase the risk of kidney damage || Birth control pills | levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol pills | Decrease their effectiveness || Probenecid | - | Increases the risk of side effects from cefdinir || Lanthanum carbonate (Fosrenal) | - | Decreases cefdinir's effectiveness || Warfarin | - | Increases the risk of bleeding |
While teeing up treatment with cefdinir, it's crucial to disclose if the following conditions apply to you. These are known as contraindications.
- Allergic Reaction to Cefdinir: Your doc is unlikely to prescribe cefdinir if you've had an allergic reaction to it, its ingredients, or similar drugs called cephalosporins. Taking cefdinir can cause another allergic reaction.
Interactions with Alcohol
certain antacids
There are no known interactions between cefdinir and alcohol. However, if you knock back booze, your doc might suggest you avoid or limit it during cefdinir treatment. This is because drinking alcohol while taking the drug may worsen some of cefdinir's side effects, like diarrhea or headache.
• aluminum hydroxide/magnesium carbonate (Gaviscon)• aluminum hydroxide/magnesium hydroxide (Maalox)• calcium carbonate/magnesium hydroxide (Rolaids)
Discuss alcohol consumption with your doc if you have any questions.
can make cefdinir less effective
Deep Dive on Cefdinir Interactions
Antacids
loop diuretics
Antacids help relieve symptoms of conditions like heartburn and indigestion. Taking cefdinir with certain antacids can make cefdinir less effective, including antacids containing magnesium or aluminum. These minerals may attach to cefdinir, preventing it from getting absorbed correctly.
• torsemide (Soaanz)• bumetanide (Bumex)• furosemide (Lasix)
Here are some antacids that can potentially interact with cefdinir:
can increase the risk of kidney damage
- Gaviscon (magnesium/aluminum)
- Maalox (magnesium/aluminum hydroxide)
- Rolaids (calcium/magnesium hydroxide)
Steps to take
birth control pills
To prevent interaction, take cefdinir at least 2 hours before or after an antacid with magnesium or aluminum. Consider discussing this with your doc or pharmacist for more details.
• ethinyl estradiol/levonorgestrel (Seasonale, Seasonique, others)• desogestrel/ethinyl estradiol (Cyclessa, Kariva, others)• ethinyl estradiol/norethindrone (Aurovela, Gildess, others)
Loop Diuretics
can make birth control pills less effective
Loop diuretics, such as torsemide, bumetanide, and furosemide, are used to tackle blood pressure and certain heart conditions. Taking cefdinir with a loop diuretic may increase the risk of kidney damage. Although kidney damage is a rare side effect of cefdinir, loop diuretics can stress your kidneys. Combining these meds may heighten the likelihood of new or worsened kidney damage.
Steps to take
probenecid
Before starting cefdinir treatment, inform your doc if you're taking a loop diuretic. They can help you weigh the benefits and risks of taking these meds together.
-
Birth Control Pills
can increase the risk of side effects from cefdinir
Taking cefdinir with birth control pills might interfere with their effectiveness. This is because antibiotics like cefdinir can speed up the breakdown of the birth control pill, leading to a lower level of the pill in your system.
Here are some birth control pills that may interact with cefdinir:
lanthanum carbonate (Fosrenal)
- Levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol pills
- Desogestrel and ethinyl estradiol pills
- Ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone pills
-
Steps to take
can make cefdinir less effective
Before commencing cefdinir treatment, share with your doc that you're taking birth control pills. They might advise you to use alternate contraception, such as condoms or diaphragms, during treatment.
Cefdinir and Other Interactions
warfarin (Jantoven)
Cefdinir might also interact with other supplements, foods, vaccines, or lab tests, but the table below doesn't cover every single potential cefdinir interaction.
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Cefdinir and Cannabis or CBD
can increase the risk of bleeding
There are no reported interactions between cefdinir and cannabis or CBD at present, but keep in mind that as research evolves, new interactions might be discovered. Talk to your doc before using cannabis with cefdinir. The impact of cannabis may affect how well you stick to your treatment plan.
Health-Related Interactions
Certain medical conditions and factors can boost the risk of interactions with cefdinir. Talk to your doc before taking cefdinir if you have:
- Colitis
- Kidney issues or receive hemodialysis
- Allergic reactions to cefdinir, its ingredients, or similar drugs
- Are pregnant, planning to be, or breastfeeding
FAQs about Cefdinir and Interactions
Should I avoid dairy products with cefdinir?
There's no need to dodge dairy with cefdinir. Food generally doesn't significantly affect cefdinir absorption, although it might influence the absorption of iron supplements, which could be more prominent if taken concurrently with cefdinir.
Can cefdinir and ibuprofen be taken together?
Yes, you can take cefdinir and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) together if your doc advises it. There are no reported interactions between cefdinir and ibuprofen.
Preventing Interactions
To prevent interactions with cefdinir:
- Consult with your doc and pharmacist about your drinking habits and use of cannabis, other meds, supplements, herbs, and vitamins.
- Create a medication list for your healthcare providers.
- Read cefdinir labels and info provided by your pharmacist for additional safety information.
- Take cefdinir exactly as your doc prescribes.
- The table only lists the main interactions between Cefdinir and other medications, so it's essential to be truthful with your doctor and pharmacist about any over-the-counter remedies, medications, and supplements you're taking to prevent possible interactions.
- Certain antacids, like Gaviscon, Maalox, and Rolaids, can make Cefdinir less effective, so your doctor might advise you to avoid or limit alcohol consumption during Cefdinir treatment.
- Taking loop diuretics, such as torsemide, bumetanide, and furosemide, along with Cefdinir may increase the risk of kidney damage, although it's a rare side effect of Cefdinir.
- Birth control pills like levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol pills, desogestrel and ethinyl estradiol pills, and ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone pills can interact with Cefdinir, making it less effective.
- Probenecid increases the risk of side effects from Cefdinir, while lanthanum carbonate (Fosrenal) decreases Cefdinir's effectiveness.
- Taking Cefdinir with warfarin (Jantoven) might interact with other supplements, foods, vaccines, or lab tests, but the table doesn't cover every potential Cefdinir interaction, so it's crucial to discuss these with your doctor.
