The title compound, {[Cd(C19H13N4O 4)2(H2O)2]·4H 2O}n or {[Cd(BBA)2(H2O) 2]·4H2O}n, where BBA is 3,5-bis-(iso-nicotin-amido)-benzoate, is isotypic with its Mn isologue [Chen et al. (2009). J. Coord. Chem. 62, 2421-2428]. The cation sits on a twofold axis and is six-coordinated in a slightly distorted octa-hedral geometry; the polyhedra are linked into zigzag chains, which are further connected by N - H⋯O, O - H⋯O and O - H⋯N hydrogen bonds as well as π-π interactions [centroid-centroid distance of 3.639 (2) Å...