What is Clindamycin? Uses, warnings & side effects
Clindamycin hydrochloride is a generic prescription antibiotic that treats serious to severe bacterial infections. Clindamycin HCl works by blocking the ability of bacteria to make the proteins they need to survive. Although clindamycin is available in a wide variety of dosage formats, clindamycin HCl can only be taken as capsules. Different versions of clindamycin are found in other dosage formats. Doses are taken four times daily.
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Clindamycin overview
BRAND NAMES:
Cleocin HCl
Generic Names:
Clindamycin Hcl
Uses:
Treats infections
Therapeutic Classes:
Antibiotic, lincosamide antibiotic
Forms:
Capsule
How it’s taken:
By mouth
What is Clindamycin used for?
Clindamycin HCl treats serious to severe bacterial infections including respiratory tract infections, soft tissue infections, abdominal infections, pelvic or genital tract infections in women, and septicemia.
What form(s) does Clindamycin come in?
Capsule
75 mg
150 mg
300 mg
What are common Clindamycin dosages?
For serious bacterial infections:
In adults: 150–300 mg taken orally every six hours
In children: 8–16 mg/kg per day divided into three or four doses
For severe bacterial infections:
In adults: 300–450 mg taken orally every six hours
In children: 16–20 mg/kg per day divided into three or four doses
Clindamycin HCl is not the first-choice clindamycin treatment. Healthcare professionals may prefer to use or at least start with clindamycin phosphate injections.
Because dosages are based on weight, children may not be able to take clindamycin HCl capsules. A healthcare provider may prescribe clindamycin palmitate oral solution for more precise dosing.
Clindamycin images - What does Clindamycin look like?
Clindamycin HCl
16 capsules bottleClindamycin HCl
150mg capsuleClindamycin HCl
300mg capsuleClindamycin HCl
75mg capsule
How to take Clindamycin
Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.
Take this medicine for the full duration of treatment even if you feel better in the first few days.
Store clindamycin capsules at room temperature in a closed, light-resistant container.
What to do if you miss a dose of Clindamycin
Take a missed dose when remembered.
If it’s almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose as scheduled.
Do not take extra capsules to make up for a missed dose.
Clindamycin contraindications - Who shouldn't take Clindamycin?
This medicine is not right for everyone.
Do not use it if you have had an allergic reaction to clindamycin or lincomycin.
Clindamycin warnings
Tell any healthcare provider or other healthcare provider who treats you that you are on clindamycin.
Regular doctor visits are necessary to check if clindamycin treatment is working. Keep all appointments.
Tell the prescriber if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have:
Kidney problems
Digestive system problems, especially a history of colitis
Allergies
Clindamycin HCl can cause severe allergic reactions or skin reactions.
This medicine can cause diarrhea up to two months after treatment ends. Contact a healthcare professional if you experience severe, continual, watery, or bloody diarrhea. Do not take any medicine to stop diarrhea until you have talked to a doctor.
Clindamycin HCl might cause kidney damage.
Clindamycin interactions & what to avoid when taking Clindamycin
Some medicines can affect how clindamycin works. Tell your doctor if you are using erythromycin.
Clindamycin has very few major drug interactions. To avoid potentially hazardous drug interactions, tell the prescribing healthcare provider about all prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and supplements you use.
Tell any other prescriber who treats you that you are taking clindamycin HCl capsules before they put you on a new medicine.
Clindamycin could interfere with medicines that other doctors and healthcare professionals use, including:
Nerve blocks
Bowel preparation regimens before a colonoscopy
Bacterial vaccines
Find more detailed information about clindamycin interactions to avoid here.
Clindamycin side effects - How does Clindamycin make you feel?
Serious side effects
The most serious side effects of clindamycin HCl are allergic reactions, drug reactions, kidney injury, and C. difficile diarrhea. Talk to a doctor if you notice any signs or symptoms of a possible serious side effect, including:
Severe diarrhea that does not go away, stomach cramps
Decreased urination, swelling in the hands, feet, and ankles
Itching, hives, or pustules
Blistering, peeling, red skin rash
Pain when swallowing
Swelling in your hands or face, swelling in your mouth or throat
Chest tightness, trouble breathing, wheezing
Sudden drop in blood pressure, lightheadedness, fainting, trouble thinking
Fever, skin rash, swollen neck glands, change in how much or how often you urinate, or bloody or cloudy urine
Less serious side effects
Dry mouth
Skin redness
Diarrhea
Itching
Yeast infections
Sources:
Cleocin drug summary, Prescriber’s Digital Reference (PDR)
Cleocin Hydrochloride clindamycin hydrochloride capsule prescribing information, DailyMed (NIH National Library of Medicine)
Clindamycin hydrochloride capsule prescribing information, DailyMed (NIH National Library of Medicine)
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