Trade names Cefzon, Omnicef MedlinePlus a698001 ATC code J01DD15 (WHO) | AHFS/Drugs.com Monograph Routes of
administration Oral | |
 | ||
Pregnancy
category US: B (No risk in non-human studies) | ||
Cefdinir is a third-generation oral cephalosporin antibiotic sold under the brand names Cefzon and Omnicef.
Contents
- Indications
- Susceptible organisms
- Spectrum of bacterial susceptibility and resistance
- Side effects
- Available forms
- Blood in the stool
- Synthesis
- References
As of 2008, cefdinir, as Omnicef, was the highest-selling cephalosporin antibiotic in the United States, with more than US$585 million in retail sales of its generic versions alone. Cephalosporin is structurally similar to cefixime.
It was discovered by Fujisawa Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (now Astellas) and introduced in 1991 under the brand name Cefzon. Warner-Lambert licensed this cephalosporin for marketing in US from Fujisawa. Abbott obtained U.S. marketing rights to Omnicef (cefdinir) in December 1998 through an agreement with Warner-Lambert Company. It was approved by FDA on Dec 4, 1997. It is available in US as Omnicef by Abbott Laboratories and in India as Cednir by Abbott, Kefnir by Glenmark, Cefdair by Xalra Pharma and Cefdiel by Ranbaxy.
Indications
Therapeutic uses of cefdinir include otitis media, soft tissue infections, and respiratory tract infections, including sinusitis, strep throat (note: no documented resistance of Group A Streptococcus to penicillin has ever been reported, and penicillin or amoxicillin is preferred except in penicillin allergic patients), community-acquired pneumonia, and acute exacerbations of bronchitis.
Susceptible organisms
Cefdinir is a bacteriocidal antibiotic of the cephalosporin class of antibiotics. It can be used to treat infections caused by several Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria.
Spectrum of bacterial susceptibility and resistance
Cefdinir is a broad-spectrum antibiotic and has been used to treat infections of the respiratory tract including pneumonia, sinusitis, and bronchitis. The following represents MIC susceptibility data for a few medically significant microorganisms.
Side effects
Side effects include diarrhea, vaginal infections or inflammation, nausea, headache, and abdominal pain."
It is also one of the medications that can cause toxic epidermal necrolysis or Stevens-Johnson Syndrome.
Available forms
Cefdinir is administered orally. It is available as capsules and a suspension. Dosage, schedule, and duration of therapy varies according to the type of infection.
"Blood" in the stool
The pediatric version of cefdinir can bind to iron in the digestive tract; in rare cases, this causes a rust or red discoloration of the stool. Blood typically appears dark brown or black in stool, and testing may confirm which is present. If the reddish stool is accompanied by abdominal pain, weight loss, diarrhea, etc., a Clostridium difficile infection caused by the antibiotic could be signified.
Synthesis
Acylation of the primary amine 1 with 4-bromo-3-oxobutanoyl bromide (2) leads to the amide (3). The active methylene group in that product is then nitrosated with sodium nitrite; the initial product spontaneously tautomerizes to afford the oxime (4). The bromoketone array in that intermediate constitutes a classical starting function for construction of thiazoles. Reaction of 4 with thiourea thus leads to formation of an aminothiazole moiety. Thus there is obtained the antibiotic cefdinir (5).