Helping Patients Navigate the Cefdinir Shortage

The ongoing Cefdinir shortage has created a familiar frustration for providers: you write a prescription, and your patient calls back saying the pharmacy can't fill it. The back-and-forth — fielding calls, writing new prescriptions, verifying stock — eats into time you don't have.

This guide offers a practical, provider-focused approach to helping patients find Cefdinir (or an appropriate alternative) with minimal workflow disruption.

Current Cefdinir Availability

As of early 2026, Cefdinir remains on the ASHP drug shortage list. The key details:

• Capsules (300 mg): Intermittently available from some generic manufacturers. Teva has had capsules on back order since late 2025.
• Oral suspension (250 mg/5 mL and 125 mg/5 mL): The most supply-constrained formulations. Pediatric patients are disproportionately affected.
• Regional variation: Availability differs significantly by pharmacy, region, and wholesale distributor. Rural and underserved areas tend to be hit harder.

For a full shortage timeline, see: Cefdinir Shortage: What Providers and Prescribers Need to Know in 2026.

Why Patients Can't Find Cefdinir

Understanding the patient experience helps contextualize the problem:

• Chain pharmacies exhaust stock first — high patient volume means popular generics run out quickly during shortages.
• Patients don't know where to look — most patients try only their usual pharmacy and then call your office when it's out of stock.
• Suspension shortages affect children — parents are understandably anxious when their child's prescribed antibiotic is unavailable, and liquid alternatives may require different dosing conversations.
• Cost confusion compounds the problem — patients who finally find Cefdinir at an unfamiliar pharmacy may face unexpected cash prices (up to $114 without insurance or coupons).

What Providers Can Do: 5 Actionable Steps

Step 1: Check Availability Before Prescribing

When possible, verify with the patient's pharmacy that Cefdinir is in stock before sending the prescription. This is especially important for e-prescriptions sent directly — a rejected or unfilled script creates a callback loop that wastes time for everyone.

Some EHR systems integrate pharmacy inventory data. If yours doesn't, consider asking patients to call their pharmacy before the visit ends, or direct them to Medfinder for Providers to check availability in real time.

Step 2: Share Medfinder With Patients

Medfinder is a free tool that helps patients find which pharmacies near them have a specific medication in stock. By directing patients to Medfinder at the point of prescribing, you can:

• Reduce "can't find it" callbacks
• Empower patients to search independently
• Decrease the need for alternative prescription requests

Consider adding medfinder.com/providers to your after-visit summary or patient handout for shortage-affected medications.

Step 3: Prescribe With a Backup Plan

When prescribing Cefdinir during a shortage, proactively discuss alternatives with the patient. You might say:

"I'm prescribing Cefdinir, but it's been hard to find lately. If your pharmacy doesn't have it, call us and we can quickly switch you to [alternative]. Don't wait — we want you to start treatment as soon as possible."

This sets expectations and reduces patient anxiety if the pharmacy is out of stock.

Step 4: Build EHR Templates for Common Alternatives

Create pre-built order sets or quick-pick lists for Cefdinir alternatives by indication:

• Ear infection / sinusitis: Amoxicillin 80-90 mg/kg/day BID → Amoxicillin-Clavulanate → Cefuroxime → Cefpodoxime
• Strep pharyngitis: Amoxicillin 50 mg/kg/day (max 1000 mg) once daily x10 days → Penicillin V → Cephalexin
• Skin infection: Cephalexin 500 mg QID → Amoxicillin-Clavulanate
• CAP (outpatient): Amoxicillin → Cefpodoxime → Cefuroxime

Having these ready means you can switch a prescription in seconds rather than looking up dosing from scratch.

Step 5: Direct Patients to Independent Pharmacies and Mail-Order

Educate patients that independent pharmacies often have different wholesale distributors and may have Cefdinir when chains don't. Grocery store pharmacies (Costco, Kroger) and hospital outpatient pharmacies are also worth trying.

For patients with non-urgent infections, mail-order pharmacies through their insurance plan may have access to different supply sources. Turnaround is typically 2–5 days.

Alternatives at a Glance

Here's a quick-reference table of common Cefdinir alternatives:

• Amoxicillin: First-line for most indications. Widely available. Under $10 with coupons.
• Amoxicillin-Clavulanate (Augmentin): For resistant organisms or treatment failure. Good availability. ~$15–$30 with coupons.
• Cephalexin (Keflex): First-gen cephalosporin. Best for skin/soft tissue. Widely available. ~$10–$30.
• Cefuroxime (Ceftin): Second-gen cephalosporin. Good respiratory coverage. ~$15–$40.
• Cefpodoxime: Third-gen cephalosporin (same generation as Cefdinir). ~$20–$50. May also have supply variability.

For a patient-facing comparison, share: Alternatives to Cefdinir If You Can't Fill Your Prescription.

Workflow Tips for Shortage Management

• Flag shortage-affected meds in your EHR — add alerts or notes to Cefdinir so that all providers in your practice are aware of the current shortage.
• Designate a staff point person — have a nurse or MA handle pharmacy-related callbacks for shortage drugs, freeing physician time.
• Batch alternative prescriptions — when a patient calls about an unfilled Cefdinir script, send the alternative immediately rather than scheduling a callback.
• Monitor ASHP shortage updates — check monthly for status changes to anticipate which drugs may be affected.
• Share patient resources proactively — include links to Medfinder and savings resources in patient communications.

Cost Resources for Your Patients

Patients who are uninsured or underinsured may face sticker shock. Point them toward:

• Discount coupons: GoodRx and SingleCare can reduce Cefdinir from ~$114 to ~$16 for capsules.
• Patient assistance: NeedyMeds (needymeds.org) and RxAssist (rxassist.org) for uninsured patients.
• Detailed guide: How to Save Money on Cefdinir in 2026

For a provider-focused cost savings guide, see: How to Help Patients Save Money on Cefdinir: A Provider's Guide.

Final Thoughts

Drug shortages are disruptive, but a proactive approach can minimize their impact on both patient care and clinic workflow. By integrating availability tools, preparing alternative order sets, and setting patient expectations upfront, you can navigate the Cefdinir shortage with less friction.

Visit Medfinder for Providers for tools designed to help your practice manage medication availability challenges.