Zithromax vs. Omnicef

• Are Omnicef and Zithromax the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Zithromax?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Omnicef?
• What is Zithromax?
• What is Omnicef?
• What Drugs Interact with Zithromax?
• What Drugs Interact with Omnicef?
• How Should Zithromax Be Taken?
• How Should Omnicef Be Taken?

Zithromax Z-PAK (azithromycin) and Omnicef (cefdinir) are antibiotics used to treat bacterial infections.

Zithromax and Omnicef belong to different drug classes. Zithromax is a macrolide antibiotic and Omnicef is a cephalosporin antibiotic.

The brand name Omnicef is discontinued in the U.S. Omnicef is available as generic cefdinir.

Common side effects of Zithromax include:

• diarrhea or loose stools,
• nausea,
• abdominal pain,
• stomach upset,
• vomiting,
• constipation,
• dizziness,
• tiredness,
• headache,
• vaginal itching or discharge,
• nervousness,
• sleep problems (insomnia),
• skin rash or itching,
• ringing in the ears,
• hearing problems,
• or decreased sense of taste or smell.

Common side effects of Omnicef include:

• diarrhea,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• stomach pain,
• indigestion,
• headache,
• dizziness,
• diaper rash in an infant taking liquid cefdinir,
• itching,
• skin rash, or
• vaginal itching or
• discharge.

Tell your doctor if you experience serious side effects of Omnicef including watery or bloody diarrhea, chest pain, fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms, unusual bleeding, seizures (convulsions), pale or yellowed skin, dark colored urine, fever, confusion or weakness, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash; increased thirst, loss of appetite, swelling, weight gain, feeling short of breath, or urinating less than usual or not at all.

Zithromax Z-PAK (azithromycin) is a semi-synthetic macrolide antibiotic used for treating:

• otitis media (middle ear infection),
• tonsillitis,
• laryngitis,
• bronchitis,
• pneumonia,
• and sinusitis caused by susceptible bacteria.

Zithromax is also effective against several sexually transmitted infectious diseases (STDs) such as nongonococcal urethritis and cervicitis. Zithromax is available in generic form.

Omnicef (cefdinir) is a cephalosporin antibiotic used to treat many different types of infections caused by bacteria. The brand name Omnicef is discontinued in the U.S. Omnicef is available in generic form.

Zithromax may interact with blood thinners, cyclosporine, other antibiotics, theophylline, cholesterol-lowering medicines, heart medications, HIV medicines, sedatives or seizure medicines.

Zithromax may also interact with arsenic trioxide, pimozide, tacrolimus, antidepressants, anti-malaria medications, ergot medicines, blood pressure medications, medicine to prevent or treat nausea and vomiting, medicines to treat psychiatric disorders, migraine headache medicines, narcotics, or tranquilizers.

Omnicef may interact with blood thinners, antibiotics, antidepressants, anti-malaria medications, medicine to prevent or treat nausea and vomiting, medicines to treat psychiatric disorders, migraine headache medicines, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), steroids, or narcotics.

Omnicef may also interact with antacids that contain magnesium or aluminum, sucralfate, didanosine, vitamin or mineral supplements that contain iron or zinc, insulin or oral diabetes medications, or theophylline.

A typical oral dose of Zithromax consists of 500 mg for 1 day then 250 mg for 4 days. A typical intravenous dose consists of 500 mg for 2 days followed by 500 mg orally daily for an additional 5-8 days.

The recommended dosage of cefdinir for infections in adults and adolescents ranges from 300 mg to 600 mg, taken either once or twice daily. Duration of treatment ranges from 5 to 10 days.