Omnicef vs. Keflex

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

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

Keflex is also used before dental procedures in patients identified with certain heart-related conditions to prevent bacterial infections of the heart known as endocarditis.

The brand name Omnicef is discontinued in the U.S. Generic versions of cefdinir are available.

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.

Common side effects of Keflex include:

• diarrhea,
• dizziness,
• tiredness,
• headache,
• stomach upset,
• abdominal pain,
• joint pain,
• vaginal itching or discharge,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• itching,
• swelling, and
• rash.

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.

Keflex (cephalexin) is a cephalosporin antibiotic prescribed to treat bacterial infections. Keflex is also used before dental procedures in patients identified with certain heart-related conditions to prevent bacterial infections of the heart known as endocarditis. Keflex is available as a generic drug.

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.

Keflex and amoxicillin may interact with probenecid and blood thinners.

Keflex may also interact with metformin.

The recommended dose of Omnicef is 150 mg every 13 weeks administered by deep intramuscular (IM) injection in the gluteal or deltoid muscle. Omnicef should not be used as a long-term birth control method (longer than 2 years).

Keflex dosage depends on the condition being treated. Keflex should be used with caution in patients who have kidney disease and those who report a history of penicillin allergy.