Factors that affect a proper Omnicef® dosage include what it's being used for, the age of the patient, the patient's medical conditions and his kidney function status. The standard Omnicef® dosage is between 300 mg two times daily or 600 mg daily. This standard Omnicef® dosage is typically used to treat bacterial infections such as strep throat, bronchitis, and otitis media, which is also known a middle ear infection. It is also used to treat tonsillitis, skin infections, and pneumonia.
A standard Omnicef® dosage can cause side effects, but this medication is typically well tolerated by most people. If side effects do occur, they typically include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and headache. In addition, Omnicef® can cause stomach pain, rash, yeast infections, and loss of appetite. To help prevent stomach pain and diarrhea caused by antibiotics, the doctor may recommend eating yogurt to curb gastric distress.
Rare and serious side effects can occur even from a low Omnicef® dosage and may include trouble breathing, wheezing, and chest pain. Patients may also suffer swelling of the throat, tongue, or lips. If these side effects occur, emergency medical treatment will be needed. At the hospital, the patient may get treated with intravenous fluids, medications to reduce swelling, and medications to control the rate and rhythm of the heart.
Peeling of the skin, visual disturbances, watery or bloody diarrhea, and hives may occur as well. When side effects to Omnicef® or any other antibiotic occur, the doctor may recommend another antibiotic, which may prove less bothersome. The patient, however, should never stop taking his antibiotics without consulting his doctor first. In addition, giving up antibiotic treatment before finishing the prescription can cause the infection to worsen.
Since antibiotics only work to resolve bacterial infections, they will not help resolve viruses such as the rhinovirus, which causes the common cold. When an infection is present, doctors can perform certain medical diagnostic tests to determine if the infection is bacterial or viral in nature. Sometimes, however, the nature of the infection cannot be determined, so the decision to prescribe antibiotics will be make by the doctor based on his physical examination.
Doctors may take a culture, or swab, from the throat of a patient with strep throat to test for the strep bacteria that causes this disease. If the test proves positive for the strep bacteria, the infection will typically respond to antibiotics. If the culture proves negative, antibiotics will probably not be prescribed.
Sometimes, antibiotics such as Omnicef® can interact negatively with medications such as aluminum and magnesium antacids. If this antibiotic is taken with these antacids, lesser concentrations of Omnicef® might be absorbed into the body and prove less effective against the infection. This interaction should be discussed with a doctor prior to combining these medications.