CLINDAMYCIN (Systemic)
Some commonly used brand names are:
In the U.S.?
In Canada?
- Dalacin C
- Dalacin C Flavored Granules
- Dalacin C Phosphate
Generic name product may be available in the U.S.
Category
- Antibacterial, systemic
- Antiprotozoal
Description
Clindamycin (klin-da-MYE-sin) is used to treat bacterial infections. It will not workfor colds, flu, or other virus infections.
Clindamycin is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the followingdosage forms:
Oral- Capsules (U.S. and Canada)
- Oral solution (U.S. and Canada)
Parenteral- Injection (U.S. and Canada)
Before Using This Medicine
In deciding to use a medicine,the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it willdo. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For clindamycin, thefollowing should be considered:
Allergies?Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual orallergic reaction to clindamycin, lincomycin, or doxorubicin. Also tell yourhealth care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, suchas foods, preservatives, or dyes.
Pregnancy?Clindamycin has not been reported to cause birthdefects or other problems in humans.
Breast-feeding?Clindamycin passes into the breast milk. However,clindamycin has not been reported to cause problems in nursing babies.
Children?This medicine has been tested in children and, ineffective doses, has not been reported to cause different side effects orproblems than it does in adults.
Older adults?Many medicines have not been studied specificallyin older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactlythe same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effectsor problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing useof clindamycin in the elderly with use in other age groups.
Other medicines?Although certain medicines should not be usedtogether at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used togethereven if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want tochange the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are takingclindamycin, it is especially important that your health care professionalknow if you are taking any of the following:
- Chloramphenicol (e.g., Chloromycetin) or
- Diarrhea medicine containing kaolin or attapulgite or
- Erythromycins (medicine for infection)?Taking these medicinesalong with clindamycin may decrease the effects of clindamycin
Other medical problems?The presence of other medicalproblems may affect the use of clindamycin. Make sure you tell your doctorif you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Kidney disease (severe) or
- Liver disease (severe)?Severe kidney or liver disease may increaseblood levels of this medicine, increasing the chance of side effects
- Stomach or intestinal disease, history of (especially colitis, includingcolitis caused by antibiotics, or enteritis)?Patients with a historyof stomach or intestinal disease may have an increased chance of side effects
Proper Use of This Medicine
For patientstaking the capsule form of clindamycin:
- The capsule form of clindamycin should be takenwith a full glass (8 ounces) of water or with meals to prevent irritationof the esophagus (tube between the throat and stomach).
For patients taking the oral liquid form ofclindamycin:
- Use a specially marked measuring spoon or other device to measureeach dose accurately. The average household teaspoon may not hold the rightamount of liquid.
- Do not use after the expiration date on the label. The medicine maynot work properly after this date. Check with your pharmacist if you haveany questions about this.
To help clear up your infection completely, keep takingthis medicine for the full time of treatment, even if you begin tofeel better after a few days. If you have a ``strep''infection, you should keep taking this medicine for at least 10 days. Thisis especially important in "strep" infections. Serious heart problems coulddevelop later if your infection is not cleared up completely. Also,if you stop taking this medicine too soon, your symptoms may return.
This medicine works best when there is a constant amount in the blood. To help keep the amount constant, do not miss any doses.Also, it is best to take each dose at evenly spaced times day and night.For example, if you are to take 4 doses a day, doses should be spaced about6 hours apart. If this interferes with your sleep or other daily activities,or if you need help in planning the best times to take your medicine, checkwith your health care professional.
Dosing?The dose of clindamycin will be different fordifferent patients. Follow your doctor's orders or thedirections on the label. The following information includes only theaverage doses of clindamycin. If your dose is different,do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The number of capsules or teaspoonfuls of solution that you take dependson the strength of the medicine. Also, the number ofdoses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length oftime you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you aretaking clindamycin.
- For bacterial infection:
- For oral dosage forms (capsules and solution):
- Adults and teenagers?150 to 300 milligrams (mg) every six hours.
- Children?
- Infants up to 1 month of age: Use and dose must be determined byyour doctor.
- Infants and children 1 month of age and older: Dose is based on bodyweight. The usual dose is 2 to 5 mg per kilogram (kg) (0.9 to 2.3 mg per pound)of body weight every six hours; or 2.7 to 6.7 mg per kg (1.2 to 3.0 mg perpound) of body weight every eight hours.
- For injection dosage form:
- Adults and teenagers?300 to 600 mg every six to eight hoursinjected into a muscle or vein; or 900 mg every eight hours injected intoa muscle or vein.
- Children?
- Infants up to 1 month of age: Dose is based on body weight. The usualdose is 3.75 to 5 mg per kg (1.7 to 2.3 mg per pound) of body weight everysix hours injected into a muscle or vein; or 5 to 6.7 mg per kg (2.3 to 3.0mg per pound) of body weight every eight hours injected into a muscle or vein.
- Infants and children 1 month of age and older: Dose is based on bodyweight. The usual dose is 3.75 to 10 mg per kg (1.7 to 4.5 mg per pound) ofbody weight every six hours injected into a muscle or vein; or 5 to 13.3 mgper kg (2.3 to 6.0 mg per pound) of body weight every eight hours injectedinto a muscle or vein.
Missed dose?If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it assoon as possible. This will help to keep a constant amount of medicine inthe blood. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the misseddose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Storage?To store this medicine:
- Keep out of the reach of children.
- Store away from heat and direct light.
- Do not store the capsule form of this medicine in the bathroom, nearthe kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause themedicine to break down.
- Do not refrigerate the oral liquid form of clindamycin. If chilled,the liquid may thicken and be difficult to pour. Follow the directions onthe label.
- Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be surethat any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.
Precautions While Using This Medicine
It isimportant that your doctor check your progress at regular visits.
If your symptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they become worse,check with your doctor.
In some patients, clindamycin may cause diarrhea.
- Severe diarrhea may be a sign of a serious side effect. Do not take any diarrhea medicine without first checking with your doctor. Diarrhea medicines, such as loperamide (Imodium A-D) or diphenoxylateand atropine (Lomotil), may make your diarrhea worse or make it last longer.
- For mild diarrhea, diarrhea medicine containing attapulgite (e.g.,Kaopectate tablets, Diasorb) may be taken. However, attapulgite may keep clindamycinfrom being absorbed into the body. Therefore, these diarrhea medicines shouldbe taken at least 2 hours before or 3 to 4 hours after you take clindamycinby mouth.
- If you have any questions about this or if mild diarrhea continuesor gets worse, check with your health care professional.
Before having surgery (including dental surgery) with a general anesthetic,tell the medical doctor or dentist in charge that you are taking clindamycin.
Side Effects of This Medicine
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 mayneed medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediatelyif any of the following side effects occur:
More common
Abdominal or stomach cramps and pain (severe); abdominal tenderness; diarrhea (watery and severe),which may also be bloody; fever
(the above side effects may also occur up to several weeks after you stoptaking this medicine)
Other side effects may occur that usuallydo not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatmentas your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if anyof the following side effects continue or are bothersome:
Other side effects not listed abovemay also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check withyour doctor.
Revised: 08/14/1998
