Clindamycin

Description

Clindamycin is an antibiotic used for the treatment of bacterial infections. It is available in different dosage forms such as a tablet, capsule, injection, gel, cream, and lotion. The oral and injectable forms of this medicine are used to treat bacterial infections of the lungs, skin, bones, joints, stomach, and intestine. The topical forms are used to treat acne. Clindamycin stops the growth of bacteria that is causing the infection. Clindamycinis an antibacterial medicine, hence it is not effective against infections caused by viruses. Clindamycin shows side effects like diarrhoea, stomach pain, headache, skin rash, itching/irritation anywhere on the body, weakness, nausea, and vomiting. Contact your doctor if these side effects become severe or persist for a longer duration. Avoid using clindamycin if you are previously allergic to it. The topical form of clindamycin is not recommended for use in children below 12 years of age. Clindamycin dosage instructions depend on the form in which it is taken. The oral forms of Clindamycin should be taken with or without food in a dose and for the duration prescribed by your doctor. Clindamycin injectables will be given by your doctor in the hospital setting. For topical forms, apply the required amount of this medicine to the affected area as advised by your doctor. Make sure to complete the treatment course, as stopping antibiotic treatment early may not kill all the bacteria and the remaining bacteria may become resistant to the antibiotic. This may increase the risk of relapse of the infection. Clindamycin should be used cautiously if you have gastrointestinal disease, particularly colitis (swelling of the inner lining of the colon) as it may cause severe diarrhoea making your condition worse. This medicine may not be safe for patients who have severe kidney or liver diseases. Hence, it is advised to inform your doctor if you have such conditions. Also, let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before initiating the treatment with Clindamycin.

Side effects

Major & minor side effects for Clindamycin

  • Loss of appetite
  • Black or Tarry stools
  • Blurred vision
  • Stomach pain
  • Diarrhoea
  • Fast heartbeat
  • Muscle or joint pain
  • Headache
  • Increased thirst
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Skin rash
  • Skin irritation

Uses of Clindamycin

What is it prescribed for?

  • Lower Respiratory Tract Infection
  • Skin and soft tissue infections
  • Stomach and intestinal infections
  • Bacterial vaginitis
  • Bone and Joint infections
  • Acne vulgaris
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Concerns

Commonly asked questions

  • Onset of action
    You will start to feel better in few days after using Clindamycin. It is recommended that you finish your entire course of treatment, even if your condition gets better. The onset of action for each dosage form is as follows: Oral forms (tablets/capsules) - Exact onset of action is not known. However, improvement can be noticed within 2-3 days of treatment. Parenteral forms (injections) - Immediate action within 1 hour Topical forms (cream, lotion, gel) - Improvement can be seen within 2-6 weeks of treatment.
  • Duration of effect
    The duration of action for Clindamycin is not clinically determined.
  • Safe with alcohol?
    Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
  • Is it habit forming?
    No habit-forming tendency has been reported for Clindamycin.
  • Usage in pregnancy?
    Clindamycin may be safe during pregnancy. However, it is advised to inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning pregnancy before initiating the treatment. Based on your condition, your doctor may prescribe the safest dosage of this medicine.
  • Usage while breast-feeding?
    Clindamycin passes into breast milk in very small quantities. Hence it is considered to be safe for nursing mothers. However, make sure to inform your doctor if you are breastfeeding. Your doctor may monitor your baby for symptoms such as diarrhoea and yeast infection.

Allergy

Do not use Clindamycin if you are allergic to it. Inform your doctor if there is a history of clindamycin allergy. If you notice any symptoms such as skin rash, itching/swelling anywhere on the body, dizziness, breathing difficulty, etc., seek medical attention immediately.
Warnings for special population

Pregnancy

Clindamycin may be safe during pregnancy. However, it is advised to inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning pregnancy before initiating the treatment. Based on your condition, your doctor may prescribe the safest dosage of this medicine.

Breast-feeding

Clindamycin passes into breast milk in very small quantities. Hence it is considered to be safe for nursing mothers. However, make sure to inform your doctor if you are breastfeeding. Your doctor may monitor your baby for symptoms such as diarrhoea and yeast infection.
General warnings

Diarrhoea

Clindamycin may kill the helpful bacteria in your stomach or intestine which can lead to diarrhoea. Get emergency medical help if you experience severe watery or bloody diarrhoea.

Antibiotic resistance

Finish the complete course of treatment with Clindamycin, even if your condition improves. Stopping antibiotic treatment early may not kill all the bacteria and the remaining bacteria may become resistant to the antibiotic.

Gasping syndrome

The use of Clindamycin injection containing benzyl alcohol may cause a gasping syndrome (a serious life-threatening condition) in newborns.

Liver disease

If you have liver disease, maintain caution while taking Clindamycin because it may increase your risk of liver damage. Depending on your clinical condition, your doctor will adjust the doses.

Kidney disease

Patients with kidney diseases need special consideration while taking Clindamycin due to the risk of kidney damage. Your doctor will adjust your dose depending on your clinical condition.

Skin reactions

Clindamycin may cause serious skin reactions characterised by rash, peeling skin, swelling of your face or tongue, skin blisters in or around your nose, mouth and, eyes. Discontinue the medicine and inform your doctor if these symptoms appear.

External use only

The topical forms of clindamycin are recommended for external use only. Avoid contact with your eyes, mucous membranes, or open wounds.

Use in children

Clindamycin cream/gel/lotion is not recommended for use in children below 12 years of age, since the safety and efficacy data is not available.

Missed Dose

Oral forms: Try not to skip a scheduled dose of Clindamycin. In case you forget to take the scheduled dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it has been delayed for more than 12 hours, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time. Do not double the dose. Injectable forms: It is always important to take your clindamycin injection at the scheduled time. If you missed taking the dose, inform your doctor, and get an appointment for further instructions. Topical forms: Apply the missed dose of Clindamycin as soon as you remember. Do not apply in more quantities to compensate for the missed dose.

Overdose

Oral forms: Never take more than the prescribed dose. Seek emergency medical treatment or contact your doctor in case you suspect an overdose of Clindamycin. Injectable form: Clindamycin injection is administered in a hospital setting by your doctor, so the likelihood of an overdose is rare. Contact your doctor if an overdose with clindamycin is suspected. Topical forms: An overdose of Clindamycin is not likely to cause severe symptoms unless it is applied for a long duration and in large amounts. However, swallowing this medicine may cause harm and immediate medical intervention may be required.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol

Description

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.

Instructions

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine

Live cholera vaccine

Gentamicin

Ethinyl Estradiol

Ketoconazole

Disease interactions

Gastrointestinal Diseases

Inform your doctor if you have gastrointestinal disorders like colitis (swelling and irritation of the colon) as Clindamycin may worsen your condition.

Severe liver disease

Clindamycin is metabolised in the liver. You may have difficulty getting this medication out of your system if you have liver problems or a history of liver disease. This may result in an accumulation of clindamycin in your body, which can have negative consequences. Your doctor may perform liver function tests before and during your treatment with this medication.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Oral forms: Clindamycin tablet/capsule is used to treat bacterial infections. You can take it with or without food in a dose and duration prescribed by your doctor. It is recommended that you complete the course of treatment. Do not stop the treatment without consulting your doctor. For the ease of remembering, take it around the same time every day. Do not share your medicine with others even if their condition appears to be the same as yours. Your doctor may advise a blood test to check for kidney and liver enzyme levels. Injectable forms: Clindamycin injection will be given to the vein in the hospital setting by your doctor. Hence do not self-administer. It is available in strengths 300mg, 150mg, 600mg, and 900mg. Topical forms: Clindamycin gel/cream/lotion is recommended for external use only. Avoid contact with your eyes, mucous membranes or open wounds. In case of accidental contact, wash with water thoroughly. Apply a thin layer of Clindamycin to the affected area as instructed by your doctor. Finish the entire course of treatment even if your symptoms improve after a few days. Avoid applying clindamycin to broken skin and cuts.
Miscelleneous

Can be taken with or without food, as advised by your doctor

To be taken as instructed by doctor

Does not cause sleepiness

How it works
Clindamycin works by stopping the bacteria from making proteins that are essential for their survival. This kills or stops the growth of bacteria.
Legal Status

Approved

Approved

Approved

Approved

Classification

Category

Lincomycin derivatives, Antibiotics

Schedule

Schedule H

Medicines.org.uk. 2020. Clindamycin 150 Mg Capsules - Summary Of Product Characteristics (Smpc) - (Emc). [online] Available at: < [Accessed 22 December 2020].

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/33102>

Drugs, H., 2020. Clindamycin: Medlineplus Drug Information. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: < [Accessed 22 December 2020].

https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682399.html>

Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2020. CLIN Single Use Kit. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 22 December 2020].

https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=e5a5be69-f2fa-4f3b-b36e-9d503f35958b>

Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). 2020. Prescribing Medicines In Pregnancy Database. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 22 December 2020].

https://www.tga.gov.au/prescribing-medicines-pregnancy-database#searchname>

Go.drugbank.com. 2021. Clindamycin | DrugBank Online. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 1 February 2021].

https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB01190>

Pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. Clindamycin. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 1 February 2021].

https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Clindamycin>

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Information on this page was last updated on 25 Aug 2021

Disclaimer

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