Zydaclin

Clindamycin is a prescription medication used to treat bacterial infections of the lungs, skin, blood, bones, joints, female reproductive system, and internal organs. Clindamycin is also used to treat acne.

Clindamycin belongs to a group of drugs called lincomycin antibiotics. These work by stopping the growth of bacteria.

This medication is available as a topical cream, topical gel, topical solution, topical foam, topical swab (pledget), vaginal cream, vaginal suppository, oral capsule, oral liquid, and granules for oral solution.

This medication is also available in injectable forms to be given directly into a vein (IV) or a muscle (IM) by a healthcare professional.

Common side effects of clindmaycin include nausea, vomiting, joint pain, heartburn, pain when swallowing, and white patches in the mouth.

Oral:

Clindamycin is a prescription medication used to treat bacterial infections of the lungs, skin, blood, bones, joints, female reproductive system, and internal organs.

Topical:

Clindamycin is a prescription medication used to treat acne and vaginal infections.

Injectable:

Clindamycin is a prescription medication used to bacterial infections of the lungs, skin, blood, bones, joints, female reproductive system, and internal organs. 

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully.

The dose your doctor recommends may be based on the following:

• the condition being treated
• other medical conditions you have
• other medications you are taking
• how you respond to this medication
• your weight
• your height
• your age

Oral:

The recommended dose of oral clindamycin for the treatment of bacterial infections is 150 to 450 mg every 6 hours.

Topical:

The recommended dose of topical clindamycin for the treatment of acne is application to the affected skin 1 to 2 times daily. The recommended dose of clindamycin vaginal preparations is application once daily at bedtime.

Injectable:

The recommended dose of clindamycin injection for the treatment of bacterial infections is 600 to 2700 mg per day in 2, 3, or 4 doses.

Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea (CDAD) has been reported with use of nearly all antibacterial agents, including clindamycin may range in severity from mild diarrhea to fatal colitis. Treatment with antibacterial agents alters the normal flora of the colon leading to overgrowth of C. difficile.

Because clindamycin therapy has been associated with severe colitis which may end fatally, it should be reserved for serious infections where less toxic antimicrobial agents are inappropriate. It should not be used in patients with nonbacterial infections such as most upper respiratory tract infections. C. difficile produces toxins A and B which contribute to the development of CDAD. Hypertoxin producing strains of C. difficile cause increased morbidity and mortality, as these infections can be refractory to antimicrobial therapy and may require colectomy. CDAD must be considered in all patients who present with diarrhea following antibiotic use. Careful medical history is necessary since CDAD has been reported to occur over two months after the administration of antibacterial agents.

If CDAD is suspected or confirmed, ongoing antibiotic use not directed against C. difficilemay need to be discontinued. Appropriate fluid and electrolyte management, protein supplementation, antibiotic treatment of C. difficile, and surgical evaluation should be instituted as clinically indicated.

Oral:

Serious side effects have been reported with oral clindamycin including the following:

• Abdominal pain
• Gastrointestinal upset
• Pain or difficulty when swallowing
• White patches in the mouth
• Blisters
• Rash
• Hives
• Yellowing of the skin or eyes
• Decreased urination

Topical:

Serious side effects have been reported with topical clindamycin including the following:

• Dry, itching, burning, or peeling skin
• Headache
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal pain or gastrointestinal upset
• Thick, white discharge or burning, itching, or swelling of the vagina with use of vaginal clindamycin products

Injectable:

Serious side effects have been reported with injectable clindamycin including the following:

• Abdominal pain
• Gastrointestinal upset
• Pain or difficulty when swallowing
• White patches in the mouth
• Blisters
• Rash
• Hives
• Yellowing of the skin or eyes
• Decreased urination

Do not take clindamycin if you:

• are allergic to clindamycin or to any of its ingredients
• are allergic to lincomycin (Lincocin)

Serious side effects have been reported with clindamycin. See the “Clindamycin Precautions” section.

Oral:

Common side effects of oral clindamycin include the following:

• Abdominal pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Rash
• Hives

Topical:

Common side effects of topical clindamycin include the following:

• Burning, itching, dryness, or redness at site of application

Injectable:

Common side effects of oral clindamycin include the following:

• Abdominal pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Rash
• Hives

This is not a complete list of clindamycin side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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 erythromycin (E.E.S., E-Mycin, Erythrocin). Clindamycin can make erythromycin less effective and usually these medications should not be combined, especially when treating serious infections.

This is not a complete list of clindamycin drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

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. There are no well-done studies that have been done in humans with clindamycin. In animal studies, pregnant animals were given this medication, and the babies did not show any medical issues related to this medication.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Clindamycin has been detected in human breast milk. Because of the possibility for adverse reactions in nursing infants from clindamycin, a choice should be made whether to stop nursing or to stop use of this medication. The importance of the drug to the mother should be considered.