Omnicef Precautions and Warnings

Before taking Omnicef, precautions and warnings for the drug should be reviewed with your healthcare provider to help ensure a safe treatment process and reduce the risk of complications. Some people may develop side effects, such as severe diarrhea or other infections. Omnicef precautions and warnings also extend to people with kidney disease, women who are pregnant or nursing, and people who are allergic to penicillin or other antibiotics.

Omnicef: What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?

You should talk to your healthcare provider prior to taking Omnicef® (cefdinir) if you:
 
  • Have kidney disease or kidney failure
  • Are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant
  • Are breastfeeding
  • Have any allergies to Omnicef, to other cephalosporins, to penicillin, or to other types of antibiotics.
 
Also tell your healthcare provider about all medicines are currently taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, antacids, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
 

Specific Omnicef Precautions and Warnings

Precautions and warnings to be aware of before taking Omnicef include the following:
 
  • Omnicef can interact with certain medications (see Omnicef Drug Interactions).
     
  • About 10 percent of people who are allergic to penicillin may also be allergic to Omnicef. Therefore, let your healthcare provider know if you are allergic to penicillin. Also let your healthcare provider know if you develop:
 
    • Any unexplained rash
    • Itchy skin
    • Hives
    • Wheezing
    • Swelling of the throat
    • Difficulty breathing.
 
  • Omnicef is considered a pregnancy Category B medication. This means that it has not been studied in pregnant women. When studied in animals, however, Omnicef showed no negative effects on the fetus. If you are taking Omnicef and pregnancy occurs, talk to your healthcare provider.
     
  • If you have severe liver disease, your healthcare provider may choose to give you a lower dose of Omnicef than normal or not prescribe this medication at all.
     
  • If you are nursing, it is known that Omnicef does not pass through breast milk following a single dose. It is unknown, however, whether it is present in breast milk following numerous doses.
     
  • Many antibiotics have been known to cause pseudomembranous colitis (severe diarrhea). Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience:
 
    • Severe, watery diarrhea
    • Blood in your stools
    • Stomach pain
    • Low-grade fever.
 
  • While taking antibiotics, other infections have been known to occur. If you notice any unrelated symptoms while taking Omnicef, talk to your healthcare provider.
     
  • Taking Omnicef has been known to increase the chance of developing vaginal yeast infections.
     

Add
Email
Print
(Omnicef Precautions and Warnings Continued: Page 2)
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;
Other Articles in This eMedTV Presentation
Referring Pages Articles