Interactions of Cefdinir: Examining Drug Combinations, Alcohol Consumption, and Additional Factors to Consider
Cefdinir, a third-gen cephalosporin, is a badass antibiotic used to tackle numerous bacterial infections, like ear infections, strep throat, and pneumonia. But remember, every drug's got its quirks, and cefdinir's no exception. Here's a rundown of what you should watch out for:
Cefdinir's a generic gal that packs a punch against several bacterial infections, including ear infections, strep throat, and pneumonia. It ain't got no brand-name version, though.
Cefdinir can clash with some other drugs and supplements. For instance, certain antacids, birth control pills, and loop diuretics can mess with cefdinir's game plan. To keep things ticking smoothly, chat with your doc about any medication you're taking.
Cefdinir's a capsule and liquid form, and these forms have the same interactions, so no worries there. This article's just focusing on interactions with the capsule form of cefdinir.
By knowing about cefdinir warnings and interactions, you and your doc can ensure that cefdinir's gonna be safe and effective for you.
Cefdinir interactions with other drugs
Before you start hittin' that cefdinir, spill the beans to your doc and pharmacist about every prescription, OTC, and other medication you're taking. This helps avoid any unwanted surprises.
Wanna know if cefdinir interacts with supplements, herbs, or vitamins? Check out the "Cefdinir and other interactions" section below.
Got questions about drug interactions that may affect you? Just ask your doc or pharmacist.
Here's a table of drugs that can bust up with cefdinir:
| Drug class or drug name | Drug examples | Interaction result with cefdinir || --- | --- | --- || certain antacids | • Gaviscon • Maalox • Rolaids | Can make cefdinir less effective || loop diuretics | • Soaanz • Bumex • Lasix | Can increase the risk of kidney damage || birth control pills | • Seasonale, Seasonique, others • Cyclessa, Kariva, others • Aurovela, Gildess, others | Can make birth control pills less effective || probenecid | - | Can increase the risk of side effects from cefdinir || lanthanum carbonate (Fosrenal) | - | Can make cefdinir less effective || warfarin (Jantoven) | - | Can increase the risk of bleeding |
When to avoid cefdinir
In some cases, certain situations could prevent your doc from prescribing cefdinir. Here are the contraindications for cefdinir:
Note: Before you start treatment with cefdinir, make sure your doc knows if these contraindications apply to you.
If you've had an allergic reaction to cefdinir, its ingredients, or similar drugs
Taking cefdinir can cause another allergic reaction if you've had one before to cefdinir, its ingredients, or cephalosporin-like drugs. Talk to your doc about alternative treatments if this applies to you.
certain antacids
Cefdinir interactions with alcohol
No known interactions between cefdinir and alcohol, but drinking alcohol may worsen some of cefdinir's side effects. Your doc may advise you to avoid or limit alcohol during cefdinir treatment.
Drug interactions in depth
• aluminum hydroxide/magnesium carbonate (Gaviscon)• aluminum hydroxide/magnesium hydroxide (Maalox)• calcium carbonate/magnesium hydroxide (Rolaids)
Here's a closer look at certain drug interactions of cefdinir.
Certain antacids
Taking cefdinir with certain antacids can make cefdinir less effective. This includes antacids containing magnesium or aluminum. These minerals may attach to cefdinir and prevent your body from absorbing the drug, reducing its effectiveness.
can make cefdinir less effective
Here are some antacids that may interact with cefdinir:
- Gaviscon
- Maalox
- Rolaids
Steps you or your doc may take
To avoid this interaction, take cefdinir at least 2 hours before or after taking an antacid containing magnesium or aluminum.
Before taking any antacids with cefdinir, chat with your doc or pharmacist. They can help you figure out if your antacid contains magnesium or aluminum.
To learn more about cefdinir and antacids, reach out to your doc or pharmacist.
loop diuretics
Loop diuretics
Taking cefdinir with loop diuretics may increase the risk of kidney damage. While kidney damage is a rare side effect of cefdinir, loop diuretics can strain your kidneys. This may lead to an increased risk of new or worsened kidney damage when taking these medications together.
Here are some loop diuretics that may interact with cefdinir:
• torsemide (Soaanz)• bumetanide (Bumex)• furosemide (Lasix)
- Soaanz
- Bumex
- Lasix
Steps you or your doc may take
Before taking cefdinir, let your doc know if you're taking a loop diuretic. They can assess whether it's safe for you to take these medications together.
can increase the risk of kidney damage
If your doc prescribes cefdinir with a loop diuretic, they may give you tests to check your kidney function. They'll advise you on what to do if you have kidney damage.
To learn more about cefdinir and loop diuretics, chat with your doc or pharmacist.
Birth control pills
Taking cefdinir with birth control pills could make the birth control less effective. Cefdinir may cause your body to break down the birth control drug more quickly than usual, reducing the drug's effectiveness for preventing pregnancy.
Here are some birth control pills that may interact with cefdinir:
- Seasonale, Seasonique, others
- Cyclessa, Kariva, others
- Aurovela, Gildess, others
birth control pills
Steps you or your doc may take
Before you start cefdinir treatment, tell your doc if you're taking birth control pills. They can recommend whether it's safe for you to take these medications together.
If your doc prescribes cefdinir while you're taking birth control pills, they may suggest using a backup method of birth control, such as a diaphragm or condom.
• ethinyl estradiol/levonorgestrel (Seasonale, Seasonique, others)• desogestrel/ethinyl estradiol (Cyclessa, Kariva, others)• ethinyl estradiol/norethindrone (Aurovela, Gildess, others)
To learn more about cefdinir and birth control pills, chat with your doc or pharmacist.
Cefdinir and other interactions
Cefdinir may have other interactions, such as with supplements, foods, vaccines, or lab tests.
can make birth control pills less effective
Cefdinir interactions with supplements
Cefdinir may interact with magnesium and iron supplements. Taking cefdinir with these supplements can make cefdinir less effective.
To prevent this interaction, your doc may advise you to take cefdinir at least 2 hours before or after taking a magnesium or iron supplement.
Before you start treatment with cefdinir, fill your doc and pharmacist in on any supplements, herbs, and vitamins you take. This helps you avoid any unwanted surprises.
Cefdinir and herbs
No specific herb-cefdinir interactions are reported, but it's always best to check with your doc before taking any herbal products during cefdinir treatment.
probenecid
Cefdinir interactions with vitamins or minerals
No specific vitamin-cefdinir interactions are reported, but cefdinir may interact with iron, magnesium, and aluminum. Taking cefdinir with any of these minerals can make the drug less effective.
It's essential to note that some multivitamins may also contain minerals, including iron, magnesium, and aluminum. Consult your doc to determine which multivitamin is best for you.
-
Cefdinir interactions with food
No food interactions with cefdinir are reported. Iron in iron-rich foods, such as dark chocolate, may not affect cefdinir absorption. If you have questions about foods to avoid while taking cefdinir, chat with your doc.
Cefdinir and vaccines
can increase the risk of side effects from cefdinir
No known interactions between cefdinir and vaccines are reported. Reach out to your doc or pharmacist to check whether you're due for any vaccines.
Cefdinir interactions with lab tests
Cefdinir may interact with certain urine glucose tests, which measure the amount of glucose (sugar) in your urine. If you receive these tests while taking cefdinir, the results may show that glucose is present in your urine even though it may not actually be there.
Before having a urine glucose test, inform your doc if you're taking cefdinir. They may use a different type of glucose test that the drug does not affect.
Cefdinir and cannabis or CBD
No documented interactions between cefdinir and cannabis or CBD have been reported. Nonetheless, cannabis can affect various medications in the liver, so it's essential to be cautious.
lanthanum carbonate (Fosrenal)
Note: Cannabis is illegal at a federal level but is legal in many states to varying degrees.
Cefdinir and health-related interactions
Certain medical conditions and other factors may increase the risk of cefdinir interactions. Before you take this drug, talk to your doc about your health history. Cefdinir may not be the right treatment option if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health.
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Health conditions or factors that might interact with cefdinir include:
- Colitis: Talk to your doc if you've ever had colitis (inflammation of your large intestine). Taking cefdinir could worsen colitis symptoms.
- Kidney problems or hemodialysis: Inform your doc if you have a kidney problem or are receiving hemodialysis. They may adjust your cefdinir dosage to reduce the risk of side effects or to help the drug be effective.
- Allergic reaction: Your doc is unlikely to prescribe cefdinir if you've had an allergic reaction to cefdinir, any of its ingredients, or similar drugs called cephalosporins. Taking cefdinir could cause another allergic reaction. Consult your doc about alternative treatments.
- Breastfeeding: While cefdinir is generally considered safe to take while breastfeeding, talk to your doc before starting treatment.
- Pregnancy: There aren't enough clinical trials to determine whether cefdinir is safe to take while pregnant. If you're pregnant or planning to become pregnant, tell your doc before starting cefdinir.
FAQ: Cefdinir and interactions
can make cefdinir less effective
Here are some frequently asked questions about cefdinir and potential interactions.
Should I avoid dairy products with cefdinir?
No, usually, you don't have to avoid dairy products with cefdinir. There are no known interactions between cefdinir and dairy products. If you have other questions about cefdinir and dairy products, reach out to your doc or pharmacist.
can increase the risk of bleeding
Can cefdinir and ibuprofen be taken together?
Yes, you can take cefdinir and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) together if your doc recommends it. There are no reported interactions between cefdinir and ibuprofen. Ibuprofen is used to help manage pain and inflammation, which may be caused by bacterial infections that cefdinir treats.
If you have other questions about cefdinir and ibuprofen, chat with your doc or pharmacist.
warfarin (Jantoven)
Preventing interactions
To ensure a hassle-free cefdinir experience, follow these steps:
- Consult your doc and pharmacist about any medications, alcohol, or cannabis you consume.
- Speak openly about your health history.
- Create a medication list with the help of your doc and pharmacist.
- Read and understand the cefdinir label and other relevant information provided.
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By keeping these guidelines in mind, you can help prevent any unwanted interactions with cefdinir.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to ensure that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doc or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
- Prior to taking cefdinir, disclose to your doctor and pharmacist any prescription, over-the-counter, and other medications you're taking to avoid any unexpected interaction.
- If you're also taking supplements, herbs, or vitamins, it's crucial to inform your doctor about them as well.
- Cefdinir may interact with specific drugs such as certain antacids, loop diuretics, and birth control pills, which can lead to less effective treatment or an increased risk of side effects.
- By maintaining an open dialogue with your doctor and pharmacist, and on the basis of a comprehensive understanding of your health history, you and your healthcare professionals can ensure the safety and effectiveness of cefdinir for you.
