Drug Detail:Clindamycin (Clindamycin (oral/injection) [ klin-da-mye-sin ])
Generic Name: Clindamycin Injection [ klin-da-MYE-sin ]
Drug Class: Lincomycin derivatives
Warning
- Diarrhea is common with antibiotics. Rarely, a severe form called C diff–associated diarrhea (CDAD) may happen. Sometimes, this has led to a deadly bowel problem (colitis). CDAD may happen during or a few months after taking antibiotics. Call your doctor right away if you have stomach pain, cramps, or very loose, watery, or bloody stools. Check with your doctor before treating diarrhea.
Uses of Clindamycin Injection:
- It is used to treat or prevent bacterial infections.
Related/similar drugs
prednisone, amoxicillin, doxycycline, ciprofloxacin, metronidazole, azithromycin, cephalexinWhat do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take Clindamycin Injection?
- If you have an allergy to lincomycin, clindamycin, or any other part of clindamycin injection.
- If you are allergic to clindamycin injection; any part of clindamycin injection; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
- If you have meningitis. This medicine is not used to treat meningitis.
This medicine may interact with other drugs or health problems.
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take clindamycin injection with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.
What are some things I need to know or do while I take Clindamycin Injection?
- Tell all of your health care providers that you take clindamycin injection. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
- Have your blood work checked if you are on clindamycin injection for a long time. Talk with your doctor.
- This medicine does not treat the common cold.
- Do not use longer than you have been told. A second infection may happen.
- A severe and sometimes deadly reaction has happened. Most of the time, this reaction has signs like fever, rash, or swollen glands with problems in body organs like the liver, kidney, blood, heart, muscles and joints, or lungs. If you have questions, talk with the doctor.
- If you are 60 or older, use clindamycin injection with care. You could have more side effects.
- Some products have benzyl alcohol. Do not give a product that has benzyl alcohol in it to a newborn or infant. Talk with the doctor to see if this product has benzyl alcohol in it.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan on getting pregnant, or are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks to you and the baby.
How is this medicine (Clindamycin Injection) best taken?
Use clindamycin injection as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.
- It is given as a shot into a muscle or as an infusion into a vein over a period of time.
What do I do if I miss a dose?
- Call your doctor to find out what to do.
What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?
WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:
- Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Joint pain or swelling.
- Not able to pass urine or change in how much urine is passed.
- Yellow skin or eyes.
- Swollen gland.
- Vaginal itching or discharge.
- A very bad skin reaction (Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis) may happen. It can cause very bad health problems that may not go away, and sometimes death. Get medical help right away if you have signs like red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin (with or without fever); red or irritated eyes; or sores in your mouth, throat, nose, or eyes.
- Pain, redness, or swelling where the shot was given.
What are some other side effects of Clindamycin Injection?
All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:
- Stomach pain or diarrhea.
- Upset stomach or throwing up.
- Bad taste in your mouth.
These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.
How do I store and/or throw out Clindamycin Injection?
- If you need to store clindamycin injection at home, talk with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about how to store it.
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
- If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
- Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
- Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
- Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.
- Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about clindamycin injection, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.
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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