Cefdinir and Headaches: What Users Say

• Rya...
• September 14, 2019

For Sinusitis "I’ve taken this medicine before but I guess I was very sick. That I never noticed the side effects or maybe didn’t get them till now. I was on 300mg cefdinir 2x for 7 days. By day 6, I finally realized I was having adverse reactions and not just feeling sick. From a severe headache that nothing is helping, which includes pins and needles, with an extremely ITCHY SCALP all still present 24hrs after stopping! It’s driving me mad! It made my anxiety go through the roof, I felt pressure in my ears with tinnitus, intestinal distress, lack of appetite, thirst, feeling irregular heartbeats, feelings of overall malaise & doom. I seriously contemplated going to the ER thinking I was having a major health crisis until I looked at my date book & everything started on day 2 of antibiotics. I doubt it helped at all, as I tried hiding in bed most of the time. I hope this helps someone. Always journal when you're sick;)"

• 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."

• fee...
• May 19, 2010

For Sinusitis "I am on day 7 of this antibiotic for a sinus infection. While my symptoms have all but gone, I still have to keep taking it, of course. I noticed a couple of days ago that I was feeling 'funny' approximately 2 hours after taking the medicine. It wasn't like that at first, but now I have body aches, headache, chills... kind of reminds me of the flu."

• Sag...
• January 23, 2016

For Middle Ear Infections "Cefdinir is a good medication and has worked for both sinus and ear infections that I have had. All doctors should also inform their patients you must take a probiotic while on this medication. It eliminates the diarrhea, headaches, and many other side effects I am seeing in the responses below."

• Nic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 9, 2016

For Sinusitis "Started this to fight a sinus infection. Four days in, seemed to improve. Only negative was a bad headache. Night four, horrible night sweats and chills to the bone. I couldn't function at work and was still getting chills and stomach cramps. Then the constant diarrhea started. Day five, I had a fever of 102 to go along with body shakes, headache, and still diarrhea. I thought it was the flu, so I continued medication, but by day seven, I had had no relief from it, called my doctor, and she told me to stop meds immediately. I just stopped and am hoping for some relief. I am dehydrated and weak and still can't leave the bathroom for more than 20 minutes! Bad reaction and hoping for some relief!"

• Sta...
• February 7, 2012

Omnicef (cefdinir) for Bronchitis "Within 36 hrs, symptoms started to subside. Had no side effects with stomach (take with food). I suffer from bronchitis about twice a year. This medication was much more effective than Z-packs, Amoxicillin, or Cipro. I started getting mild headaches around day 4. Felt better but didn't clear up cough and wheezing."

• Ann...
• April 6, 2017

For Sinusitis "Took this medication twice a day for 10 days for infection of sinuses and adenoids. First three days, my stomach hurt and headaches. Remainder of the days, no side effects until the day I stopped taking it, developed diarrhea and severe stomach cramping that didn't go away. 5 days after stopping the med, now positive for C. diff. I even took probiotics through the entire course of the med. Getting married in a week. Thanks a lot, Cefdinir. I wanted everyone to be aware of this!!!!"

• eeg...
• January 14, 2014

For Sinusitis "I was prescribed this medication for a sinus infection and fluid in my ear. I have on my charts that I am allergic to penicillin but I'm not sure of the reaction. So, the doctor said this has 1% of a penicillin derivative. So I tried it! The first 2 days, my sinus seemed to get better. Then, on the 6th and 7th day, I had a horrible headache, earaches, facial skin burning, chills, and sweats. I couldn't lift my head off the pillow. I took myself off the medicine, and the next day I was feeling better. I still have a lot of congestion, but the pain in my head is gone. I feel like my head was deflated. This has to be an allergy! I learned my lesson."

• Gon...
• June 6, 2012

For Sinusitis "Doctor put me on this medicine for the first time for a sinus infection. First day seemed better. Second day, all symptoms returned: painful headache, fever, and chills. On the seventh day, went back to the doctor, told her medicine wasn't working. She is running a TB test, chest X-rays, blood work, and HIV test. Also changed to amoxicillin, it always worked before. Stopped taking cefdinir and already feeling better."

• CWa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 28, 2019

"Prescribed cefdinir 300 mg 2x a day for 7 days for a UTI. After the 5th day, stopped. I have had several problems with my GI tract. Have been trying to repair the damage done from previous antibiotics. Feel like I just took a huge step backwards! Now my gut is worse than before. Side effects are nausea, chills, diarrhea, headache, anxiety, sleeplessness, and a horrible distended belly. No appetite either, terrible taste in my mouth, red (almost purple) tongue. Horrible drug. Seems most reviews are very similar. Should have declined this drug. One more night, for those of you writing reviews during the course should not write a review until AFTER you finish the course! Side effects more often begin after finishing the drug, duh!!! And this drug is considered a “wide spectrum antibiotic,” which means it will get rid of a lot of strains of bacteria, including the good gut bacteria. If you have to take this drug, I strongly recommend a good probiotic."

• Anonymous
• September 26, 2016

For Sinusitis "I was prescribed a 10-day dose of this horrific medication. By day 3, I was having diarrhea at least 10 times a day. I stopped taking it on day 5 after experiencing a terrible headache and intense joint pain, neither of which could be relieved by over-the-counter pain killers. That was 3 months ago, and I'm still not back to normal. I still have frequent bouts of diarrhea. My doc assures me it will go away with time and probiotics, but 3 months of diarrhea is too serious a side effect in my opinion. Also, this medication cost me over $50. Most other antibiotics are either free or cost a lot less than this poison!"

• 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."

• 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."

• Mic...
• December 28, 2016

For Sinusitis "Horrible. Given for sinus infection. Day 8 today, not feeling better. Got the rash right away but tolerated it because I was so miserable from sinus infection. I wanted to get better. Day 5, flu-like symptoms, thought maybe I had caught the flu from my son? Now, I don't think that was it, I think it was the meds. High fever, aches, and pains. Have had horrible headaches throughout, assumed it was because of sinusitis, now wondering if it was from the meds. Called the doctor on day 6, and she said to keep taking it and call back if not better in another day. Now have developed cough and diarrhea. After reading these reviews, wish I had read them sooner... pretty sure all my new symptoms are not related to the sinus infection but to this medicine."

• Jer...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 29, 2018

For Sinusitis "My 7th day (out of 10) on cefdinir, and it did not work for me. It only gave me diarrhea and made me very tired all 7 days I was on it. I slept most of the time for the past 7 days. I was given it to treat sinusitis, which symptoms are the same, and now I feel I have bronchitis. My lungs and chest are filled with mucus. Still coughing non-stop like crazy, runny nose, post-nasal drip, headaches, fatigue, chest pain, congested. Cefdinir sucks! What a waste of my time & days. The doctor is going to prescribe another antibiotic. This time, a 5-day course. Insurance covered the medication, which I paid a $5.00 copay."

• sin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 19, 2017

For Sinusitis "Was prescribed cefdinir 300 mg twice daily for 10 days for a sinus infection. I was having sinus headaches and mild fever prior, so at first, I did not realize that the headache was from cefdinir now, and not from sinus issues. After the first 5 days, severe diarrhea developed, and headaches and nausea continued. But it did seemingly clear whatever was happening in the sinuses. I am on day 6. If headaches and stomach issues don't stop, will have to stop at day 7 and see if I need another antibiotic or done. It's a very rough drug, and reading all the long-term possible effects is a bit scary."

• 191...
• June 15, 2016

Omnicef (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."

• Jen...
• July 9, 2017

For Sinusitis "Had sinusitis for 2 months. I was hesitant to take cefdinir after reading all the bad reviews on here, but I finally gave in, and it cleared it up in a matter of days with no side effects. Seems the most common side effects reported here are headache and diarrhea. I think many people aren't aware that cefdinir should be taken with food, and that whenever you take any sort of antibiotic, you should follow up with a probiotic a couple of hours after each pill to rebalance your gut bacteria. These two steps are probably what kept me from experiencing those side effects."

• 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."

• JAJ...
• December 30, 2015

For Sinusitis "This is day 3 of taking the medication, and although my sinusitis symptoms have majorly improved, I now have severe diarrhea and a pounding headache every day. Between the two, I can barely function. If it doesn't improve by tomorrow, I'm going to call the doctor's and hopefully switch to something else."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 16, 2019

For Strep Throat "After one day of having an incredibly sore throat, I went to the doctor and was diagnosed with strep throat. Since I’m allergic to penicillin, I was prescribed cefdinir. Got rid of strep in a matter of a few days, but a side effect was painful diarrhea. Before taking this medication, this was not a symptom at all. Slowly, I stopped taking the medication because the strep had vanished completely, and the diarrhea was getting worse every day. Now that I am completely off the antibiotic, the diarrhea is worse than ever. I’m extremely nauseous, I feel like I have a fever, and my head is killing me. As for my throat, I feel like the strep could possibly be coming back, but no definitive pain yet. Worth it at first, but the side effects, and mostly the afterwards side effects, are worse than the original throat pain."

• Boo...
• April 25, 2016

Omnicef (cefdinir) for Sinusitis "I have been on this for 5 days, sort of working, still have the headache though. I haven't really had any side effects yet. But I was given a 21-day dosage for (2) 300 mg capsules. I have had 4 sinus infections since January. Hope it helps get rid of the headache. It has helped with the drainage and coughing though."

• Anonymous
• June 16, 2017

For Middle Ear Infections "I was prescribed cefdinir for strep, and after two doses, had a severe headache, nausea, diarrhea, and after 24 hours, broke out in very painful hives on my neck and chest - now I'm taking Benadryl and a topical - Clobetasol Propionate for the rash and a different antibiotic for the strep. After reading all the side effects people get from this drug, I do not recommend it."

• tay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 15, 2017

For Strep Throat "I was prescribed this for suspected strep throat. I had fever, ear pain, and swollen tonsils, so my doctor went ahead and prescribed this before the culture came back. The first day I had loose stools and nausea. This continued until the fifth day, I had muscle pain that OTC pain meds couldn't relieve. It was a struggle to walk to the bathroom. Pounding headache, sensitivity to light. Watery diarrhea, severe stomach cramps. Fever and body chills-my entire body was trembling, and teeth were chattering. I've taken many antibiotics in the past, and this is the first one that has given me trouble. I wish I had been prescribed amoxicillin, I tolerate it much better."

• Lid...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 20, 2019

For Skin and Structure Infection "The cefdinir antibiotic caused severe side effects. Immediate headaches that lasted for 9 hours with no previous history of such. After 3 days: severe joint inflammation and pain to the point of not being able to walk up the stairs without pain."