Interactions of Cefdinir: Details on other drugs, alcohol, and additional factors to consider when using this antibiotic.
Cefdinir: An Overview
Hey there! Let's dive into cefdinir, a handy antibiotic that tackles various bacterial infections, such as:
- kid's middle ear problems
- strep throat for adults and kiddos six months and over
- pneumonia for folks aged 13 and up
Good news: cefdinir doesn't have a fancy brand name to remember! Though, it's essential to know there can be unwanted interactions between this drug and others.
Cefdinir comes in oral capsules and a liquid suspension, with the same interactions. However, let's focus on the capsules for now.
Knowing cefdinir's potential warnings and interactions allows you to work with your doctor to ensure this medication fits your needs.
Cefdinir and Other Medications
Before you jump into cefdinir treatment, give your doctor and pharmacist a heads-up about any pills, OTC meds, and supplements you're currently taking. Sharing this info might help lower the risk of unpleasant interactions.
To clarify the effect of cefdinir on supplements, herbs, or vitamins, check out the interactions section further on.
Got questions about drug interactions that may affect you? Ask your healthcare pro or pharmacist!
To learn more about cefdinir, and its uses, check out this article: Cefdinir Overview.
certain antacids
Cefdinir Interactions with Other Drugs
Here's a rundown of drugs that can interact with cefdinir:
• aluminum hydroxide/magnesium carbonate (Gaviscon)• aluminum hydroxide/magnesium hydroxide (Maalox)• calcium carbonate/magnesium hydroxide (Rolaids)
| Drug Class or Example | Interaction Result with Cefdinir ||----------------------|----------------------------------|| Antacids (like Rolaids, Maalox, Gaviscon) | Can reduce cefdinir's effectiveness || Loop Diuretics (e.g., Soaanz, Bumex, Lasix) | Can increase the risk of kidney damage || Birth Control Pills (like Seasonale, Seasonique, Cyclessa, Kariva, Aurovela, Gildess) | Can reduce birth control pills' effectiveness || Probenecid | Can increase the risk of cefdinir side effects || Lanthanum Carbonate | Can weaken cefdinir's effectiveness || Warfarin | Can increase the risk of bleeding |
Keep in mind this table doesn't cover all drugs that might interact with cefdinir – a more in-depth discussion is available below.
can make cefdinir less effective
When to Say No to Cefdinir
In specific cases, conditions might prevent your doctor from prescribing cefdinir due to potential risks. These scenarios are known as contraindications.
Note: Before you start cefdinir treatment, make sure to inform your doctor if any contraindications apply to you.
Do not take cefdinir if
loop diuretics
- You've experienced an allergic reaction to cefdinir, any of its ingredients, or similar drugs called cephalosporins. Additional allergic reactions could occur.
Cefdinir and Alcohol
• torsemide (Soaanz)• bumetanide (Bumex)• furosemide (Lasix)
No known interactions between cefdinir and alcohol have been reported, though your doctor may advise you to limit or abstain from alcohol while taking this medication. Consuming alcohol during cefdinir treatment could potentially worsen some side effects, such as diarrhea or a headache.
Drug Interactions in Depth
can increase the risk of kidney damage
Let's delve deeper into the possible interactions between cefdinir and these drugs, providing additional insights for safer treatment:
Antacids
Taking cefdinir with antacids might make the medication less effective as these substances can form complexes with the antibiotic, hindering its absorption in the body. Here are some antacids to watch out for:
- aluminum hydroxide/magnesium carbonate (Gaviscon)
- aluminum hydroxide/magnesium hydroxide (Maalox)
- calcium carbonate/magnesium hydroxide (Rolaids)
birth control pills
Steps You or Your Doctor May Take
To avoid this interaction, it's essential to separate the use of cefdinir and antacids by at least two hours. This step should help prevent the minerals from affecting the level of cefdinir in your body.
• ethinyl estradiol/levonorgestrel (Seasonale, Seasonique, others)• desogestrel/ethinyl estradiol (Cyclessa, Kariva, others)• ethinyl estradiol/norethindrone (Aurovela, Gildess, others)
Before starting any antacids with cefdinir, chat with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help you determine whether an antacid contains minerals that may cause interactions.
Loop Diuretics
can make birth control pills less effective
Loop diuretics, prescribed for blood pressure control and treating specific heart conditions, can make cefdinir interactions more likely. These medications may increase the risk of kidney damage, with kidney damage being a rare side effect of cefdinir. Here are some loop diuretics to be aware of:
- torsemide (Soaanz)
- bumetanide (Bumex)
- furosemide (Lasix)
Steps You or Your Doctor May Take
Before taking cefdinir, check with your doctor if you're on a loop diuretic. They can advise on the safety of taking these medications together and provide guidance on kidney function tests and what to do if kidney damage occurs.
probenecid
Birth Control Pills
Birth control pills, used for birth control, can interact with cefdinir, potentially decreasing their effectiveness. Here are some birth control pills that might interact with cefdinir:
-
- ethinyl estradiol/levonorgestrel (Seasonale, Seasonique, others)
- desogestrel/ethinyl estradiol (Cyclessa, Kariva, others)
- ethinyl estradiol/norethindrone (Aurovela, Gildess, others)
Steps You or Your Doctor May Take
can increase the risk of side effects from cefdinir
Before starting cefdinir treatment, inform your doctor if you're taking birth control pills. They can provide suggestions for safe medication use during cefdinir treatment, such as using backup methods like a diaphragm or condom.
Cefdinir and Other Interactions
Cefdinir might interact with supplements, foods, vaccines, or lab tests. Here are some potential interactions to be aware of:
Cefdinir Interactions with Supplements
lanthanum carbonate (Fosrenal)
Cefdinir may interact with magnesium and iron supplements, potentially weakening the antibiotic's effectiveness. Due to this risk, your doctor may advise you to take cefdinir at least two hours before or after taking these supplements. Before starting treatment with cefdinir, inform your doctor and pharmacist about any supplements, herbs, and vitamins you consume.
Cefdinir and Food Interactions
-
While iron supplements can interact with cefdinir, no known interactions between cefdinir and regular foods have been reported. However, your doctor can provide advice on whether the iron content in food might be high enough to cause interactions.
Cefdinir and Vaccine Interactions
can make cefdinir less effective
No known interactions between cefdinir and vaccines have been found.
Cefdinir and Lab Test Interactions
Cefdinir may interact with certain urine glucose tests, potentially affecting the test results. It's crucial to inform your doctor if you're taking cefdinir before undergoing a urine glucose test. They may switch to a different type of test that doesn't interact with cefdinir.
Cefdinir and Cannabis or CBD
warfarin (Jantoven)
There have been no specific reports of cannabis or CBD interacting with cefdinir. However, it's always best to consult your doctor before using cannabis during cefdinir treatment, as the impact of cannabis might influence your adherence to treatment.
Cefdinir and Health-Related Interactions
-
Certain medical conditions and factors might increase the risk of interactions with cefdinir. Be sure to inform your healthcare provider about your health history before starting cefdinir treatment.
- A history of colitis (inflammation of the large intestine) can increase the risk of symptoms worsening when taking cefdinir.
- Kidney problems or hemodialysis might require an adjusted cefdinir dosage to minimize side effects or ensure the medication's effectiveness.
- An allergic reaction to cefdinir, any of its ingredients, or similar drugs called cephalosporins could make cefdinir an unsafe treatment choice.
- If you're breastfeeding or pregnant, consult your doctor before starting cefdinir treatment.
can increase the risk of bleeding
FAQs About Cefdinir and Interactions
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about cefdinir and interactions:
Should I avoid dairy products with cefdinir?
Not usually, as there are no reported interactions between cefdinir and dairy products. However, you should avoid dairy when taking certain antibiotics, such as ciprofloxacin, since the calcium in dairy products might affect the medication's effectiveness. But calcium and dairy products are not known to affect cefdinir.
Can cefdinir and ibuprofen be taken together?
Yes, combining cefdinir and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) is safe if your doctor recommends it. There have been no reports of cefdinir interacting with ibuprofen.
If you have other questions about cefdinir, consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist.
Preventing Interactions
Taking several proactive measures can help prevent unwanted interactions with cefdinir:
- Consult your doctor and pharmacist before starting treatment to learn more about cefdinir's interactions, especially if you consume alcohol or cannabis, take other medications, or consume supplements, herbs, or vitamins.
- Create a medication list, and provide this list to your doctor and pharmacist as it helps establish a safer treatment plan.
- Read the cefdinir label and other paperwork Including the contents of the carton and the patient information leaflet for any warnings or precautions related to drug interactions.
- If you need help understanding this information, don’t hesitate to ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Remember: Communicating openly with your healthcare provider and pharmacist is essential for safer treatment with cefdinir.
Disclaimer: This article should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any medication, including cefdinir.
- Cefdinir is an antibiotic used to treat various bacterial infections, such as kid's middle ear problems, strep throat for adults and children six months and older, and pneumonia for individuals aged 13 and up.
- It is important to inform your doctor and pharmacist about any medications, over-the-counter drugs, supplements, or vitamins you are currently taking to minimize the risk of unwanted interactions.
- Cefdinir might interact with antacids, loop diuretics, birth control pills, probenecid, lanthanum carbonate, and warfarin. These interactions can range from making the medication less effective to increasing the risk of kidney damage or side effects.
- Certain medical conditions and factors, such as a history of colitis, kidney problems, hemodialysis, an allergic reaction to cefdinir or similar drugs called cephalosporins, pregnancy, or breastfeeding, might increase the risk of interactions with cefdinir.
- Consult your healthcare provider before taking cefdinir in conjunction with alcohol or cannabis, or if you have chronic diseases like chronic kidney disease or liver disease.
- Specific interactions between cefdinir and drugs, supplements, or vitamins will be discussed with your doctor, and you may need to adjust the dosage or take separate doses for some medications.
- To ensure safe and effective treatment, it is crucial to have open communication with your healthcare provider and pharmacist regarding medical conditions, medications, and potential interactions, and to follow any recommendations or precautions provided by your healthcare team.
