What Factors Affect a Sufficient Cefdinir Dose?

A doctor bases a recommendation for the antibiotic cefdinir on a patient's age, weight, and condition. Medication interactions can also be a concern in some cases. The recommended standard twice daily dose is sufficient for many patients, but it may require some adjustment for young patients or people with kidney disorders.

Type of infection can be important as well, because some require more aggressive treatment. It is important to finish a full course of cefdinir to avoid contributing to the growth of antibiotic resistant bacteria. A cefdinir dose is only recommended in cases where an infection is clearly caused by bacteria, as the drug is not effective against viruses, fungi, and other microorganisms.

Doctors may recommend this drug for patients with bronchitis, ear infections, soft tissue infections, and sinusitis. For adult patients without kidney problems, dosing starts at 300 milligrams twice a day or 600 milligrams once a day. This can be repeated for a week or more, depending on the infection. Patient compliance can be an issue as well; some patients may find it hard to take a twice daily cefdinir dose, for example.

Pediatric patients under the age of 12 need a weight-based cefdinir dose. The standard adult doses could be too high for their safety, and the doctor can use a weight chart to quickly find the right dose. Unusually underweight adults may also need a dosage adjustment to address concerns about allowing the medication to become too concentrated in the body.

The patient's general health is also a concern with a cefdinir dose. Kidney adjustments may be necessary in patients with severe kidney disease, as the medication is metabolized by the kidneys. Some infections respond better to daily doses than a dose twice a day, and a doctor may consider personal experience with prior patients when deciding how to deliver the medication. If the patient takes other medications, these can be factored into the prescription as well.

If a patient does not respond to the cefdinir dose, the doctor has several options. One is to perform a culture to determine if the infection is sensitive to the antibiotic and is just responding slowly. Another is to switch medications without waiting for culture results, to attack the infection with a different drug. Patients who develop allergic reactions may need a new medication even if the infection was responding to the cefdinir. Allergies can also be noted on the patient's chart to ensure the medication will not be used again with future infections.