What kind of interaction is it?

Timing-sensitive: the two substances can be taken on the same day but should be separated by a minimum time window.

Is this interaction backed by published research?

Yes. NutriStack lists 1 citation row for the Cefdinir + Zinc pair, each linking to PubMed by PMID where available. Full sourcing methodology at https://nutristackapp.com/methodology/interactions.

Supplement × Prescription·timing-sensitive·Emerging evidence

Cefdinir + Zinc

Q: Can I take Cefdinir and Zinc together?

Yes, if you separate them in time. Cefdinir and Zinc have a documented timing-sensitive interaction. Zinc supplements supply divalent zinc cations that can chelate cefdinir in the gastrointestinal tract by the same mechanism that drives the iron and magnesium interactions, potentially reducing antibiotic absorption when taken together.

Q: How does this affect a NutriStack Stack Score?

-5 to your Stack Score per scored timing-sensitive row.

Timing Sensitive Emerging evidence

Zinc supplements supply divalent zinc cations that can chelate cefdinir in the gastrointestinal tract by the same mechanism that drives the iron and magnesium interactions, potentially reducing antibiotic absorption when taken together.

Supplement × Prescription

Open the interaction checker → Read the methodology

From the database

What the row says.

Every entry follows the same shape: what is happening, the mechanism, and the recommendation.

Substances

Cefdinir and Zinc

Pair type

Timing Sensitive

Evidence

Emerging

Source citations

Scope

Supplement × Prescription

Last verified

June 4, 2026

Timing SensitiveEmerging evidence

What is happening. Zinc supplements supply divalent zinc cations that can chelate cefdinir in the gastrointestinal tract by the same mechanism that drives the iron and magnesium interactions, potentially reducing antibiotic absorption when taken together.

Mechanism. Divalent zinc cations complex with the cephalosporin in the gut, forming a less absorbable species and reducing cefdinir bioavailability.

Recommendation. Separate zinc supplements from cefdinir by at least 2 hours to avoid diminished antibiotic absorption.

Timing

Timing & separation.

Space the doses apart by at least this window to avoid the conflict.

Minimum separation

120

Stack Score

How it moves the number.

Effect on the composite score

If both Cefdinir and Zinc are in the same stack, this pair applies −5 to your Stack Score (per scored timing-sensitive row).

The full algorithm, the clamping rules, and four worked stacks are at /methodology/stack-score.

Sources

Sources, by evidence tier.

Every claim on this page is cited. PMIDs link straight to PubMed.

Reference material

1Lomaestro BM, Bailie GR. Absorption interactions with antibiotics: chelation by divalent and trivalent cations. Drug Safety. 1995.Needs sourceNo link

Check your full routine

One pair was the worked example.

Drop your supplements and prescriptions into NutriStack and it runs every pair at once: every interaction, synergy, timing rule, and contraindication, each linked to its primary source.

Open the interaction checker → Browse the research index