What is "cefdinir"

n. A semisynthetic broad-spectrum cephalosporin antibiotic, proven effective for common bacterial infections of the ear, sinus, throat, and skin.

Cefdinir is a third-generation oral cephalosporin antibiotic sold under the brand names Cefzon and Omnicef.

As of 2008, cefdinir, as Omnicef, was the highest-selling cephalosporin antibiotic in the United States, with more than US$585 million in retail sales of its generic versions alone. Cephalosporin antibiotic structurally similar to cefixime.

It was discovered by Fujisawa Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (now Astellas) and introduced in 1991 under the brand name Cefzon. Warner-Lambert licensed this cephalosporin for marketing in US from Fujisawa. Abbott obtained U.S. marketing rights to Omnicef (cefdinir) in December 1998 through an agreement with Warner-Lambert Company. It was approved by FDA on Dec 4, 1997. It is available in US as Omnicef by Abbott Laboratories and in India as Cednir by Abbott, Kefnir by Glenmark, Cefdair by Xalra Pharma and Cefdiel by Ranbaxy.