Pharmacokinetic and clinical studies of cefdinir in the pediatric field

: Cefdinir (CFDN) was evaluated for its efficacy and safety. The following results were obtained. 1. Pharmacokinetic study: CFDN was evaluated pharmacokinetically in 4 male children aged 9 to 13. CFDN was given orally to 3 children at a dose of 3 mg/kg. Peak plasma levels of 0.71 microgram/ml, 0.78 microgram/ml and 0.45 microgram/ml were attained in the 3 children, respectively, at 4 hours after dosing. Half-lives of CFDN in serum were 1.78 hours, 1.48 hours and 2.23 hours, respectively. The 12-hour urinary recovery rates of CFDN were 17.4%, 28.1% and 6.2%. When CFDN was given orally to the remaining child at a dose of 6 mg/kg, the peak plasma level was attained at 4 hours after dosing with a level of 1.16 micrograms/ml. T 1/2 was 1.78 hours. The 12-hour urinary recovery rate of CFDN was 15.0%. 2. Clinical study: CFDN 5 percent fine granules were given to 26 patients with infections; 2 with pneumonia, 4 with acute bronchitis, 1 with chronic bronchitis, 12 with pharyngitis, 4 with scarlet fever, 1 with otitis media and 2 with skin and soft tissue infections. Therapeutic responses were "excellent" in 15, "good" in 8, "fair" in 1 and "poor" in 2, with an efficacy rate of 88.5%. 3. Adverse reactions: As for adverse reactions, diarrhea was noted in 1 patient. It was concluded that CFDN is a useful drug for the treatment of the bacterial infections in pediatrics.