• Treatment of the following infections caused by susceptible organisms:
  • Community-acquired pneumonia (adults only),
  • Acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis (adults only),
  • Acute maxillary sinusitis,
  • Pharyngitis and tonsillitis,
  • Uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections,
  • Acute bacterial otitis media (children only).

Contraindicated in:

• Hypersensitivity to cephalosporins
• Serious hypersensitivity to penicillins.

Use Cautiously in:

• Renal impairment (dose ↓ recommended if CCr <30 mL/min)
• Diabetes (suspension contains sucrose)
• History of GI disease, especially colitis
• Geri: Dose adjustment due to age-related ↓ in renal function may be necessary
• OB: Lactation: Pedi: Pregnancy, lactation, or children <6 mo (safety not established). Suspension contains sodium benzoate, avoid use in neonates.

CNS: SEIZURES, headache.

GI: CLOSTRIDIUM DIFFICILE-ASSOCIATED DIARRHEA (CDAD), diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, nausea.

GU: vaginal moniliasis, vaginitis.

Derm: rash, pruritus.
Misc: ALLERGIC REACTIONS INCLUDING ANAPHYLAXIS.

Drug-Drug:

• Antacids and iron supplements↓ absorption (administer at least 2 hr before or 2 hr after).
• Probenecid↓ excretion and ↑ blood levels.

(Generic available)

• Oral suspension (strawberry flavor): 125 mg/5 mL; 250 mg/5 mL;
• Capsules: 300 mg;

• PO (Adults and Children 13 yr): 300 mg every 12 hr or 600 mg every 24 hr (twice daily dosing must be used for community-acquired pneumonia or uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections).

Omnicef

• Binds to bacterial cell wall membrane, causing cell death.

• Bactericidal action against susceptible bacteria.

Spectrum:

• Active against the following gram-positive organisms: :
  • Staphylococcus aureus,
  • Streptococcus pneumoniae,
  • Streptococcus pyogenes.
• Active against the following gram-negative organisms:
  • Haemophilus influenzae(including -lactamase-producing strains),
  • Haemophilus parainfluenzae(including -lactamase-producing strains),
  • Moraxella catarrhalis (including -lactamase-producing strains).
• Not active against methicillin-resistant staphylococci or enterococci.

Therapeutic Classification: anti-infectives

Pharmacologic Classification: third generation cephalosporins

Absorption: 16–25% absorbed after oral administration.

Distribution: Widely distributed.

Protein Binding: 60–70%.

Metabolism/Excretion: Mostly excreted unchanged in urine.

Half-life: 1.7 hr (↑ in renal impairment).

(blood levels)

• Instruct patient to take medication around the clock at evenly spaced times and to finish the medication completely as directed, even if feeling better. Take missed doses as soon as possible unless almost time for next dose; do not double doses. Instruct patient to use calibrated measuring device with suspension. Advise patient that sharing this medication may be dangerous.
• Advise patient to report signs of superinfection (furry overgrowth on the tongue, vaginal itching or discharge, loose or foul-smelling stools) and allergy.
• Instruct patient to notify health care professional if fever and diarrhea develop, especially if diarrhea contains blood, mucus, or pus. Advise patient not to treat diarrhea without consulting health care professional.

SEF-di-nir