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Clindamycin
  • Treatments
  • Bacterial Infection

Clindamycin

Generic name: clindamycin (oral/injection) [ klin-da-MYE-sin ]
Brand names: Cleocin HCl, Cleocin Pediatric, Cleocin Phosphate, Cleocin Phosphate ADD-Vantage, Clindesse, ClindaMax Vaginal
Drug class:Lincomycin derivatives

Medically reviewed by Kaci Durbin, MD. Last updated on Jul 22, 2021.

What is clindamycin?

Clindamycin is an antibiotic that fights bacteria in the body.

Clindamycin is used to treat serious infections caused by bacteria.

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

Warnings

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 ...