Clindamycin Vaginal
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Clindamycin Vaginal Overview
Clindamycin vaginal is a prescription medication used to treat bacterial infections of the vagina. Clindamycin belongs to a group of drugs called lincosamide antibiotics, which slow or stop the growth of bacteria.
Clindamycin vaginal comes in vaginal suppository and cream forms. These dosage forms are typically used once a day at bedtime.
Common side effects of vaginal clindamycin include vaginal irritation, swelling, and discharge.
Uses of Clindamycin Vaginal
Clindamycin vaginal is a prescription medication used to treat bacterial infections of the vagina.
This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Side Effects of Clindamycin Vaginal
Serious side effects have been reported with clindamycin. See “Drug Precautions” section.
Common side effects of clindamycin vaginal include:
- vaginal irritation, itching, burning, or swelling
- vaginal discharge
- nausea
- headache
- yeast infection
This is not a complete list of clindamycin side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Clindamycin Vaginal Interactions
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:
- neuromuscular blocking agents, such as doxacurium (Nuromax) and vecuronium (Norcuron)
This is not a complete list of clindamycin drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Clindamycin Vaginal Precautions
Serious side effects have been reported with clindamycin including:
- Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea: Clindamycin and other antibiotics can kill the “good” bacteria in the colon leading to a growth of C. difficile bacteria. C. difficile are “bad” bacteria that can cause diarrhea and other digestive problems.
- Clindamycin can irritate the skin. Do not apply to eyes, mouth, lips, broken skin, or mucous membranes. If the medication gets on these areas, rinse thoroughly with cool water.
- Clindamycin should not be used for extended periods of time. Prolonged use can lead to the growth of dangerous organisms that are resistant to clindamycin. Take clindamycin for the duration prescribed by your doctor.
- Do not have vaginal intercourse or use vaginal products (tampons and douches) while using vaginal clindamycin.
- Vaginal clindamycin can weaken the materials in contraceptive devices, such as condoms and vaginal diaphragms, causing them to break.
Do not take clindamycin if you:
- are allergic to clindamycin (Cleocin), lincomycin (Lincocin), or other lincosamide antibiotics
- have a history of digestive problems, such as enteritis (inflammation of the small intestine) or colitis (inflammation of the large intestine, or colon)
Clindamycin Vaginal Food Interactions
Medicines can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case clindamycin, there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving clindamycin.
Inform MD
Before taking clindamycin vaginal, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions. Especially tell your doctor if you:
- are allergic to clindamycin (Cleocin), lincomycin (Lincocin), or other lincosamide antibiotics
- have a history of digestive problems, such as enteritis (inflammation of the small intestine) or colitis (inflammation of the large intestine, or colon)
- are pregnant or breastfeeding
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Clindamycin Vaginal and Pregnancy
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.
Clindamycin falls into category B. Studies in animals have failed to demonstrate a risk to the unborn baby and there are no well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
It is not known if clindamycin will harm your unborn baby.
Clindamycin Vaginal and Lactation
Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
Clindamycin is excreted in human breast milk. The effect of clindamycin on the nursing infant is not known. Clindamycin can cause stomach upset and other effects in infants.
Clindamycin Vaginal Usage
Do not apply to the eyes, mouth, lips, broken skin, or mucous membranes. If the medication gets on these areas, rinse with cool water.
- Vaginal clindamycin comes in vaginal suppository and cream forms.
- The vaginal suppositories are inserted once a day at bedtime for 3 days in a row.
- One brand of vaginal cream (Clindesse) is applied as a single dose at any time of day.
- The other vaginal creams are applied once a day at bedtime for 3 or 7 days in a row.
- Do not have vaginal intercourse or use vaginal products (tampons and douches) while using vaginal clindamycin.
- Vaginal clindamycin can weaken the materials in contraceptive devices, such as condoms and vaginal diaphragms.
How to use clindamycin vaginal suppositories (Cleocin ovules):
Insertion with the applicator:
- Remove the vaginal ovule from its packaging.
- Pull back the plunger about an inch and place the vaginal ovule in the wider end of the applicator barrel.
- Hold the applicator as shown and gently insert the end of the applicator into the vagina as far as it will go comfortably. This can be done while lying on your back with your knees bent, or while standing with your feet apart and your knees bent.
- While holding the barrel of the applicator in place, push the plunger in until it stops to release the vaginal ovule. Remove the applicator from the vagina.
- Clean the applicator after each use. Pull the two pieces apart and wash them with soap and warm water. Rinse well and dry. Put the two pieces back together and store in a clean, dry place.
- Once inside the vagina, the ovule melts. Lie down as soon as possible. This will keep leakage to a minimum. Repeat the above steps, before bedtime, for the next 2 days.
Insertion without the applicator:
- Remove the vaginal ovule from its packaging.
- Holding the ovule with your thumb and a finger, insert it into the vagina.
- Using your finger, gently push the ovule into the vagina as far as it will comfortably go.
- Once inside the vagina, the ovule melts. Lie down as soon as possible. This will keep leakage to a minimum.
- Repeat steps 1 through 4, before bedtime, for the next 2 days.
Continue to take this medication even if you feel well. Do not stop taking clindamcyin without talking to your doctor.
If you miss a dose of topical or vaginal clindamycin, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Do not take two doses of clindamycin at the same time.
Clindamycin Vaginal Dosage
Take clindamycin exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully.
For vaginal clindamycin:
- One 100 mg suppository is inserted vaginally once a day at bedtime for 3 days.
- One brand of vaginal cream (Clindesse) is applied as a single dose at any time of day.
- The other vaginal creams are applied once a day at bedtime for 3 or 7 days in a row in non-pregnant women and for 7 days in pregnant women. Your doctor will determine the dosage schedule appropriate for you depending on your condition.
Clindamycin Vaginal Overdose
If you take too much clindamycin, call your healthcare provider or local Poison Control Center, or seek emergency medical attention right away.
Forms of Clindamycin Vaginal
Clindamycin is available in:
- 100 mg vaginal suppositories in packages of 3 suppositories
- 40 grams of vaginal creams with a concentration of 2% clindamycin
Active ingredient: clindamycin
Inactive ingredients: varies by manufacturers and dosage forms
Other Requirements
Store clindamycin at room temperature.
Keep the foam away from open flames or extreme heat.
Keep this and all medicines out of the reach of children.
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