Uses for clindamycin and sodium chloride

Clindamycin and sodium chloride injection is used to treat bacterial infections in different areas of the body. This medicine is given to patients who had an allergic reaction to penicillin.

Clindamycin belongs to the class of medicines known as macrolide antibiotics. It works by killing bacteria or preventing their growth. However, this medicine will not work for colds, flu, or other virus infections.

This medicine is to be given only by or under the direct supervision of your doctor.

Before using clindamycin and sodium chloride

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of clindamycin and sodium chloride injection in children.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of clindamycin and sodium chloride injection in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have diarrhea, which may require caution and adjustment in the dose for patients receiving this medicine.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Studies in women suggest that this medication poses minimal risk to the infant when used during breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Cholera Vaccine, Live
• Erythromycin
• Fedratinib
• Omaveloxolone
• Phenobarbital
• Primidone

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Atracurium
• Metocurine
• Tubocurarine

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Atopic syndrome or
• Stomach or bowel problems, history of—Should not be used in patients with these conditions.

• Diarrhea or
• Liver disease, severe—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.

Proper use of clindamycin and sodium chloride

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine in a medical facility. It is given as a needle placed into one of your veins. This medicine must be injected slowly, so the needle will have to remain in place for at least 10 minutes.

Your doctor will give you or your child a few doses of this medicine until your condition improves, and then switch you to an oral medicine that works the same way. If you have any concerns about this, talk to your doctor.

Precautions while using clindamycin and sodium chloride

It is important that your doctor check your or your child's progress after treatment. This is to make sure that the infection is cleared up completely. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

This medicine may cause diarrhea, and in some cases it can be severe. It may occur 2 months or more after you or your child stop using this medicine. Do not take any medicine to treat diarrhea without first checking with your doctor. If you have any questions or if mild diarrhea continues or gets worse, check with your doctor.

This medicine may cause a serious allergic reaction called anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth while you or your child are receiving this medicine.

Serious skin reactions, including toxic epidermal necrolysis, drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), and Stevens-Johnson syndrome can occur with this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you or your child have black, tarry stools, blistering, peeling, or loose skin, chest pain, chills, cough, diarrhea, itching, joint or muscle pain, painful or difficult urination, red irritated eyes, red skin lesions, often with a purple center, sore throat, sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips, swollen glands, trouble breathing, unusual bleeding or bruising, or unusual tiredness or weakness while you or your child are receiving this medicine.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Side Effects of clindamycin and sodium chloride

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Incidence not known

• Black, tarry stools
• blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
• bloating
• bloody or cloudy urine
• blurred vision
• changes in skin color
• chest tightness
• chills
• clay-colored stools
• confusion
• cough
• dark urine
• diarrhea
• difficulty swallowing
• dizziness
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• dry mouth
• fast heartbeat
• fever
• headache
• hives, itching, skin rash
• increased thirst
• itching of the vagina or genital area
• joint or muscle pain
• large, hive-like swelling on face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
• loss of appetite
• nausea or vomiting
• no breathing
• no pulse or blood pressure
• painful or difficult urination
• pain during sexual intercourse
• pain in the lower back or side
• pain, lump, or irritation at the injection site
• pale skin
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• rash with flat lesions or small raised lesions on the skin
• red irritated eyes
• red skin lesions, often with a purple center
• severe stomach cramps, pain, and tenderness
• sore throat
• sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
• sweating
• swollen glands
• thick, white vaginal discharge with no odor or with a mild odor
• trouble breathing
• unpleasant breath odor
• unconscious
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• unusual weight loss
• vomiting of blood
• watery and severe diarrhea, which may also be bloody
• yellow eyes or skin

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Incidence not known

• Bitter or metallic taste

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

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

Frequently asked questions

• What are the best antibiotics for a tooth infection?
• What is the best antibiotic to treat strep throat?
• Why can't you lay down after taking clindamycin?
• Is clindamycin a strong antibiotic?
• Can I take clindamycin if I am allergic to penicillin?
• Is clindamycin a penicillin?
• Can clindamycin be used to treat chlamydia?

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