Omicef vs. Amoxicillin

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

Omnicef (cefdinir) and amoxicillin are antibiotics used to treat many different types of infections caused by bacteria.

These drugs belong to different drug classes. Omnicef is a cephalosporin antibiotic and amoxicillin is a penicillin-type antibiotic.

The brand name Omnicef is discontinued in the U.S. Omnicef is available as generic cefdinir. Brand names for amoxicillin include Amoxil and Moxatag.

Common side effects of Omicef 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.

Common side effects of Amoxicillin include:

• nausea
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• stomach pain
• vaginal itching or discharge
• headache
• rash, and
• swollen, black, or "hairy" tongue.

Other serious side effects include:

• colitis caused by overgrowth of Clostridium spp in the intestines
• seizures
• hives
• jaundice, and
• rashes

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.

Amoxicillin is a penicillin-type antibiotic used to treat infections caused by bacteria that are B-lactamase negative (B-lactamase positive bacteria are usually resistant to amoxicillin); these infections usually occur in the skin, lungs, urinary tract and eye, ears, nose, and throat. Amoxil is available as a generic drug termed amoxicillin. Amoxil may be combined with other drugs (for example, clavulanic acid [Augmentin]), to make the antibiotic more effective.

Omnicef may interact with probenecid and antacids. Omnicef may also interact with vitamin or mineral supplements that contain iron.

Amoxicillin may interact with other antibiotics or sulfa drugs.

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.

Amoxicillin is available in many preparations (capsules, tablets, chewable tablets, powder for oral suspension and pediatric oral suspension). Serious reactions of Amoxil include anaphylactic reactions that can be life-threatening; patients allergic to penicillins should not be given Amoxil. Amoxil may interact with probenecid, blood thinners, other antibiotics, or sulfa drugs. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. Treatment in pregnant women and women who are breastfeeding should be done with caution.