Cefdinir and Dizziness: What Users Say

• Che...
• February 5, 2014

For Sinusitis "I am on Day 6 of this antibiotic. I am not a huge fan of antibiotics, but my vertigo and head pressure from the sinus infection were enough to get me on them. For the first 2 days, I had no vertigo and head pressure, but now I experience some of it on and off throughout the day. So, I use a Neti Pot to clear out my sinuses. Two days ago, I had post-nasal drip, where I ended up throwing up mucus in the middle of the night. With my experience, I have noticed a loss of appetite and have lost about 5-6 pounds. If I do not take the capsule with food, I will end up with heartburn. I am looking forward to being over with this (4 more days to go). I take a probiotic in between the doses for my digestion."

• Cat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 26, 2021

For Sinusitis "I was given Cefdinir 300 mg for a sinus infection. After the 3rd pill, I woke up the next morning with vertigo so bad that I was unable to walk to the bathroom - I had to crawl on hands and knees. For more than 24 hours, I was almost completely bed-bound with waves of nausea and vertigo so severe that simply rotating my head just a few degrees on my pillow sent the room spinning. I felt like I was dying. Almost 2 years later, I am still suffering from vertigo. Needless to say, I did not finish the prescription."

• Mil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 12, 2019

"I took one pill of cefdinir for a UTI, and a couple hours later had diarrhea. The next morning I took another one, and now I am experiencing heart palpitations, extreme fatigue and weakness in my limbs, nausea, confusion, dizziness, severe anxiety. Please do not take this medicine!"

• Riv...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 6, 2017

For Middle Ear Infections "I was given this after I returned from a trip to Texas. Double ear infection and strep. After 4 days on this med, my tongue feels like it's numb, my throat feels like there is a giant lump in there. My ears are ringing nonstop and there is still fluid in there. My heart races for the first hour after taking this, I'm dizzy, and for some odd reason, my feet sweat like crazy (I have never had sweaty feet, ever). I called the Dr's office today, and they will get back to me."

• Nev...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 12, 2016

For Sinusitis "I had a horrible experience on cefdinir. I was prescribed it for sinusitis, 300 mg twice per day for 10 days. Two hours after the first dose, I started throwing up constantly. After about 3 hours of throwing up, I was feeling weak and dizzy and was in a lot of pain. I went to the ER, and they started IV fluids for severe dehydration. That's when the diarrhea started. Worst diarrhea of my life (I have IBS, so I've had some pretty bad diarrhea). After the fluids, Zofran, and diluted Bentyl, the throwing up finally stopped. The ER doc said it was because of the cefdinir. I never took a second dose. I would have rather just let the sinusitis play itself out than deal with these side effects from cefdinir. I'll never take it again."

• Bet...
• February 21, 2018

For Bronchitis "I'm a bit confused as to why the doctor would give this to me when I have a severe allergy to penicillin. Last time I took penicillin, I woke up in my neighbor's driveway, wakened by emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and my mother. I took this medicine trusting my doctor and pharmacist and am suffering on the first dose. Headache, dizziness, body aches, stiff neck, insomnia, back killing me, legs, and feet swollen. On my way to the ER to raise hell and find out why they and the pharmacist did not tell me this was a crossed hypersensitivity medicine to penicillin! Would have been nice to have a heads-up. Bronchitis, sinusitis, and both ears infected, and now all of this from what was supposed to help cure me. This medicine, in my opinion, is a danger to all people who are allergic to penicillin. You would think a doctor or pharmacist would at least give you a heads-up. Ugh."

• Chr...
• January 15, 2019

For Sinusitis "I have chronic sinusitis, allergies, and asthma and usually get a debilitating acute sinus infection every winter. I went to urgent care when I woke with extremely swollen tonsils, a dry but persistent cough, and horrible facial pain everywhere due to an overnight maxillary sinus infection. Was put on cefdinir for 10 days. I developed terrible bronchitis after the 2nd day on the antibiotic, which I'm not sure is normal or not, but the sinus infection actually seemed worse by day 5. Today is day 7, and I’m blowing my nose around the clock like I have been all week, but my ears are still completely blocked, sinuses are still not clear, I’ve developed nosebleeds with the migraines, and I am pretty sure the bronchitis has progressed to pneumonia. I’m dizzy and out of it, and it burns terribly to breathe, and the echo from my cough could go on for miles. Going to wait 'til day 10, but if the coughing with dark green mucous gets any worse, I’ll have no choice but to ask for a second antibiotic."

• pan...
• November 2, 2015

For Sinusitis "Day 8. I have had the most severe sinus/double infection of my life, and this medication has helped tremendously! I was worried it wasn't working at first, but by day 5, I felt so much better! On the downside, I have terrible headaches almost all day. I'll skip a day, then the headache is back. Ibuprofen helps a little bit, not much. Dizziness is terrible also. I have a little confusion and frustration at times. It's not too bad. Just the awful headaches, but I remember how bad my infections were before this medicine, and it's worth it. Slight diarrhea, but no big deal."

• Anonymous
• February 6, 2018

For Sinusitis "It was prescribed for a possible sinus infection. Knowing what I know now, I don't know why such a strong med was prescribed. I have taken things like amoxicillin in the past with no bad side effects. In addition to seeing no change in my symptoms, by the night of day 6 of 10 that I was supposed to take the drug, I was miserable. Shaking chills, dizziness, watery diarrhea, nausea with some vomiting. I actually wished that I could have vomited more because I felt so terribly nauseated. Now, on the morning after, still feeling nausea and dealing with diarrhea. Also headache. I hope and pray that the drug and its effects totally leave my body soon. I will never take cefdinir again. By the way, I did take the drug as prescribed and took probiotics."

• Jef...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 20, 2021

For Middle Ear Infections "Healthy 60-year-old on no medications. Prescribed for inner ear infection. Within 25 minutes of taking this medication, I was profusely vomiting and had severe diarrhea, to the point I was limp on the bathroom floor, with my wife about to dial 911. I had another prescription called in the next day. Major ringing in my ears and mild vertigo for 3 days. I will NEVER take this again, nor recommend it to anyone!!"

• Hea...
• April 5, 2017

For Bronchitis "I was given this drug for bronchitis. I've had the worst diarrhea, dizziness, and nausea. I need to be near a toilet at all times for fear of destroying my pants. (Sorry for the TMI.) I'm starting to get better, so rather than feel like I have an intestinal virus, I'm just stopping the drug and riding out the rest of the bronchitis. That should tell you how awful I feel while taking this."

• JKM...
• January 31, 2018

For Sinusitis "I developed a sinus infection and two ear infections. I was dizzy, exhausted, sinuses were on fire, and my head hurt so bad! At about two weeks, I went to the doctor and took a round of Amoxicillin. It didn’t touch it. I was so miserable I went back right at the end of my prescription. Started Doxycycline. I’m a nurse and thought this would for sure do the trick. Nothing! About day five, my ears let up a bit, but still really suffering. Now I’m freaking out, have been taking Sudafed and ibuprofen around the clock for 3 weeks to keep the headaches at bay. I went back to the doctor at the end of day 10, and he started me on Cefdinir. I took Diflucan too to ward off a yeast infection. On my third dose of Cefdinir, I was feeling major improvements! I’m on day four and feel about 85-90% better. Some stomach pain-drinking lots of water, walking, take the med with food. The yeast infection is no fun, but I’m super grateful right now for this med!"

• Lil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 4, 2019

For Bronchitis "I took this antibiotic twice daily for acute bronchitis and a sinus infection. After 2 days of taking it, I started to have stomach discomfort and dizziness. I didn't realize at the time it could be because of the antibiotic. I started waking out of my sleep nauseous and vomiting for hours. I stopped taking it after 6 days, and more than two weeks later, I'm still dealing with the impact this had on my stomach. I'm unable to sleep, and I've missed work due to this. Now I'm taking multiple medications to cope with my stomach issues daily and still waiting to recover."

• Jus...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 31, 2017

For Skin and Structure Infection "Had a prostate biopsy done (June 2017), which resulted in a severe infection. Chills, temp was 103.7, peeing blood. Had to be rushed to the ER and a central line put into my neck for antibiotics and fluids. I was in the ER for 2.5 days and released, thank God. They saved my life. Doctor prescribed Cefdinir 300 mg x 2 for the next 42 days to ensure the infection was destroyed. OK at first, but started getting dizziness the last week. Starting tomorrow, I'm off of Cefdinir and we will see how it goes. God bless you all and good health."

• Mim...
• November 22, 2016

For Middle Ear Infections "Had a sinus infection. Dr. prescribed cefdinir, got a shot, and prednisone. Three days of treatment with cefdinir, no better and feeling worse. Lethargic, dizzy. Stopped cefdinir and started getting better. Two days later, I broke out in horrific, painful itching hives on my entire body!!! ER visit. Steroid shot and hydroxyzine, two days and still suffering unbearable pain and itching! Saw my GP today. She's never ever seen an allergic reaction this severe! Just have to wait it out, and in the meantime, suffer!!! Do not use this drug!"

• Tif...
• May 23, 2016

For Middle Ear Infections "By far the worst drug ever made. This drug is synthetic, which is why no wonder it does not work. I've been sick for 9 days but have been on this for 7 days, taking it twice a day religiously. Went into urgent care because my ear was hurting for the first time in my life, my throat was swollen and hurts so much to even barely swallow my own spit, migraine, dizzy, coughing, runny nose, and my body so weak I had trouble walking. After 7 days of being on it, it's not working. Caused my other ear, after 2 days, to hurt. Both ears are so muffled I can't hear a thing. Now I have to take the Z-pack I normally take when I'm sick that she called in. FYI, when you tell a doctor what works for you, do not settle for what they think you should take. Know your body!!"

• yea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 4, 2017

For Sinusitis "I woke up about 2 weeks ago to severe ear pain and sinus pressure to the point where I was overly dizzy for 9 days straight, with no relief whatsoever - unless I was laying down and not moving. I went to the doctor about 2 and a half weeks ago and was prescribed this medication, and it seemed like it almost got worse as the days went on. I was in so much pain, no appetite, very lethargic, dizzy, ear pain, mucus in nose and throat, and the worst migraines for 3 days straight, with no relief. Finally, after 2 full weeks of thinking I’d be feeling this way forever, I started to feel better on my 18th day being sick, but my 9th day of the medication. I also developed a terrible, itchy, red, sore yeast infection. Now I’m dealing with this too!"

• 191...
• June 15, 2016

Cefdinir for Pneumonia "Let's talk about my sickness first. I was dipping myself into a freezing water pool for approximately 5 minutes a day. The next morning, I felt the weather was so much colder, so I knew it was a fever. I'm a very healthy person, I make sure that my body is clean. I drink a lot of water and cleaning drinks, so my stomach is always clean. The doctor prescribed me Fevadol and Omnicef. The Omnicef experience was horrible. Very bad diarrhea every 15 minutes or so, even if there was nothing in my body. I couldn't sleep for more than 24 hours with complete alertness and no feeling of exhaustion. Eating it without food will make it worse. I used it for 2 days only. The dosage was 300 mg twice a day. I got dizziness, back pain, headache, and diarrhea."

• Not...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 12, 2021

Cefdinir for Sinusitis "This medicine made me feel worse than the original symptoms. I usually have a high tolerance for meds, don’t usually get dizzy or feel nauseous ever. But this medicine made me feel as if I was suffering from being hungover. I would drive 8 hours later after taking the meds and would feel like I could black out whenever. I would randomly feel nauseous. The headaches were a constant theme. Now that I’ve read the comments, I can attribute some of the diarrhea I had to it. I went back to the doctor and was prescribed Doxycycline, so I’m on day 4 and I feel better but still suffer from a cough."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 6, 2020

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "On cefdinir for an upper respiratory tract infection. The first few days, my stomach was making these funny noises, but I was ok! On day 3, I had a vaginal yeast infection and a slightly sore throat that lasted for 3 days! On day 7, I started feeling dizzy and a little off, my anxiety was through the roof! On day 8, my shoulders started to ache! I have 2 more days, and I’m gonna try to finish them up. I did have one red stool throughout the time on this medicine!"

• bad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 27, 2018

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "300 mg every 12 hours. Soon after the 3rd dose, became dizzy, sweats, extreme nausea, diarrhea, mild convulsions for hours on end. Beware. 48-year-old white male."

• Sta...
• December 10, 2015

For Sinusitis "Day 6 on cefdinir 300 mg. Severe headaches since day one. Taking Tylenol to help headache. Feeling better. Blowing my nose a lot, so sickness is coming out. Some dizziness. Some diarrhea. Fatigued."