Clindamycin is an antibiotic that fights bacteria in the body.

Clindamycin is used to treat serious infections caused by bacteria.

Clindamycin is usually available as one of three salts: clindamycin phosphate, clindamycin hydrochloride, or clindamycin nicotinamide. These salt forms are all prodrugs of clindamycin but once inside the body or applied to the skin, they are rapidly converted to active clindamycin by hydrolysis. All three salt forms of clindamycin: clindamycin phosphate, clindamycin hydrochloride, and clindamycin nicotinamide have the same antimicrobial spectrum and effectiveness.

Clindamycin phosphate salts are usually used for intravenous, intramuscular, and topical formulations of clindamycin. Clindamycin hydrochloride salts are usually used for oral forms of clindamycin, and clindamycin nicotinamide is another topical form of clindamycin.

Clindamycin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Clindamycin can cause diarrhea, which may be severe or lead to serious, life-threatening intestinal problems. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, stop using this medicine and call your doctor.

Before using clindamycin, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver disease, an intestinal disorder such as colitis or Crohn's disease, or a history of asthma, eczema, or allergic skin reaction.

Take clindamycin for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Skipping doses may also increase your risk of further infection that is resistant to antibiotics. Clindamycin will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to clindamycin or lincomycin.

To make sure clindamycin is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• colitis, Crohn's disease, or other intestinal disorder;

• eczema, or allergic skin reaction;

• liver disease;

• asthma or a severe allergic reaction to aspirin;

• an allergy to yellow food dye.

Animal studies have not shown any harm during pregnancy, but in humans, it is not known whether clindamycin will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

Clindamycin does pass into breast milk and may cause side effects in the nursing baby. If you are breastfeeding while taking this medicine, call your doctor if your baby has diaper rash, redness or white patches in the mouth or throat, stomach discomfort, or diarrhea that is watery or bloody. Let your doctor know if you are breastfeeding before taking clindamycin.

Clindamycin injection may contain an ingredient that can cause serious side effects or death in very young or premature babies. Do not give this medicine to a child without medical advice.

Clindamycin comes as a capsule and a solution (liquid) to take by mouth. It is usually taken three to four times a day. The length of your treatment depends on the type of infection you have and how well you respond to the medication. Take clindamycin at around the same times every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take clindamycin exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Shake the liquid well before each use to mix the medication evenly.

Take the capsules with a full glass of water so that the medication will not irritate your throat.

You should begin to feel better during the first few days of treatment with clindamycin. If your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse, call your doctor.

Take clindamycin until you finish the prescription, even if you feel better. If you stop taking clindamycin too soon or skip doses, your infection may not be completely treated and the bacteria may become resistant to antibiotics.

Take clindamycin exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Clindamycin oral is taken by mouth. Clindamycin injection is injected into a muscle, or as an infusion into a vein. A healthcare provider will give your first dose and may teach you how to properly use the medication by yourself.

Take the capsule with a full glass of water to keep it from irritating your throat.

Measure liquid medicine carefully. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

You may need frequent medical tests during treatment.

If you need surgery, let your surgeon know you use clindamycin as it may interact with certain drugs used for anesthesia.

Use this medicine for the full prescribed length of time, even if your symptoms quickly improve. Skipping doses can increase your risk of infection that is resistant to medication. Clindamycin will not treat a viral infection such as the flu or a common cold.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Protect the injectable medicine from high heat.

Do not store the oral liquid in the refrigerator. Throw away any unused oral liquid after 2 weeks.

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to clindamycin or lincomycin.

To make sure clindamycin is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• colitis, Crohn's disease, or other intestinal disorder;

• eczema, or allergic skin reaction;

• liver disease;

• asthma or a severe allergic reaction to aspirin;

• an allergy to yellow food dye.

Animal studies have not shown any harm during pregnancy, but in humans, it is not known whether clindamycin will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

Clindamycin does pass into breast milk and may cause side effects in the nursing baby. If you are breastfeeding while taking this medicine, call your doctor if your baby has diaper rash, redness or white patches in the mouth or throat, stomach discomfort, or diarrhea that is watery or bloody. Let your doctor know if you are breastfeeding before taking clindamycin.

Clindamycin injection may contain an ingredient that can cause serious side effects or death in very young or premature babies. Do not give this medicine to a child without medical advice.

Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Do not refrigerate clindamycin liquid because it may thicken and become hard to pour. Dispose of any unused clindamycin liquid after 2 weeks.

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

Do not use clindamycin at the same time as the antibiotic, erythromycin.

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, stop using clindamycin and call your doctor. Do not use anti-diarrhea medicine unless your doctor tells you to.

Get emergency medical help if you have any signs of an allergic reaction to clindamycin: (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning in your eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling).

Seek medical treatment if you have symptoms of a serious drug reaction that can affect many parts of your body. Symptoms may include: skin rash, fever, swollen glands, flu-like symptoms, muscle aches, severe weakness, unusual bruising, or yellowing of your skin or eyes. This reaction may occur several weeks after you began using clindamycin.

Clindamycin can cause diarrhea, which may be severe or lead to serious, life-threatening intestinal problems. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, stop using clindamycin and call your doctor.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• any change in bowel habits;

• severe stomach pain, diarrhea that is watery or bloody;

• little or no urination; or

• a metallic taste in your mouth (after clindamycin injection).

Common clindamycin side effects may include:

• nausea, vomiting, stomach pain;

• mild skin rash; or

• vaginal itching or discharge;

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Other drugs may interact with clindamycin, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain lab tests to check your body's response to clindamycin.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Your prescription is probably not refillable. If you still have symptoms of infection after you finish the clindamycin, call your doctor.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

You should notice an improvement in your symptoms after about two to three days of use, but this will depend on your condition.

Clindamycin may be more likely than other antibiotics to cause an overgrowth of bacteria in the large intestine. This can lead to a life-threatening condition called colitis.

Tell your doctor if you experience watery or bloody stools, diarrhea, stomach cramps, or fever during or after taking this medicine.

Your dosage will be based on your medical condition, age, and response to treatment.

Be sure to finish taking all the medicine your doctor prescribes, even if you feel better. Stopping clindamycin too soon may mean your infection isn't treated completely, and the bacteria can become resistant to antibiotics.

Clindamycin is sometimes used to treat other conditions, including the following:

• Acne
• Anthrax (an infection that may be spread as part of a terror attack)
• Malaria (an infection that’s spread by mosquitoes)
• Ear infections
• Tonsillitis (an infection that causes swelling of the tonsils) or pharyngitis (an infection that causes swelling in the back of the throat)
• Toxoplasmosis (an infection that can cause problems in people with weak immune systems or in unborn babies whose moms are affected)
• Bacterial vaginosis (an infection that’s caused by too much bacteria in the vagina)
• Animal bite wounds
• Other conditions

Doctors also may recommend clindamycin to prevent endocarditis (an infection of the heart valves) in certain people who are at risk of developing the infection after a dental procedure.