What a weird thread! Lot of very excitable parents out there! Most of the "side effects" I read here are symptoms of many different diseases...The clay or maroon colored stool is a well known side effect of Omnicef... every time my doctor has prescribed it she has mentioned it to me. My kids (5, 6, and 9) are currently taking Omnicef for Strep infection with no side effects. (except the strep is clearing up!!) They had stomach pain before the Omnicef because that is a symptom of Strep. Maybe your children are manic, grumpy, and not sleeping because they are ILL. It is common for children to "not be themselves" when sick. The rash or hives occurs in .3% of patients and should definitely be discontinued in such circumstances- just the same as when using any other antibiotics! HELLO.