CLINDAMYCIN (Vaginal)
Some commonly used brand names are:
In the U.S.?
In Canada?
Category
Description
Clindamycin (klin-da-MYE-sin) is used to treat certainvaginal infections. It works by killing the bacteria. This medicine will notwork for vaginal fungus or yeast infections.
Clindamycin is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the followingdosage form:
Vaginal- Cream (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 vaginal clindamycin,the following should be considered:
Allergies?Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual orallergic reaction to clindamycin or lincomycin (e.g., Lincocin). Also tellyour health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances,such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.
Pregnancy?Vaginal clindamycin is used during the second orthird trimester of pregnancy. It was found to cause birth defects in one strainof mouse, but has not caused problems in other animals. Vaginal clindamycinhas not been reported to cause birth defects or other problems in humans.Before taking this medicine, make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnantor if you may become pregnant.
Breast-feeding?It is not known whether clindamycin used vaginallypasses into the breast milk. Clindamycin taken by mouth does pass into thebreast milk and has not been reported to cause problems in nursing babies.Although most medicines pass into the breast milk in small amounts, many ofthem may be used safely while breast-feeding. Mothers who are using this medicineand who wish to breast-feed should discuss this with their doctor.
Children?Studies on this medicine have been done only in adultpatients, and there is no specific information comparing use of vaginal clindamycinin children with use in other age groups.
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 vaginal 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. Tell your health careprofessional if you are taking or using any other prescription or nonprescription(over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.
Other medical problems?The presence of other medicalproblems may affect the use of vaginal clindamycin. Make sure you tell yourdoctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- 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 effectsincluding diarrhea
Proper Use of This Medicine
Wash yourhands before and after using this medicine.
Avoid getting this medicine in your eyes. If this medicine does get intoyour eyes, rinse them immediately with large amounts of cool tap water. Ifyour eyes still burn or are painful, check with your doctor.
Vaginal clindamycin usually comes with patient directions. Read them carefullybefore using this medicine.
Use clindamycin vaginal cream exactly as directed by your doctor.
- To fill the applicator if you are notusing a pre-filled applicator
- Remove cap from the tube.
- Screw one of the applicators onto the tube. Always use a new applicator.Never use one that has been used before.
- Squeeze the medicine into the applicator slowly until it is full.
- Remove the applicator from the tube. Replace the cap on the tube.
- To insert the vaginal cream using the applicator
- Relax while lying on your back with your knees bent.
- Hold the full applicator in one hand. Insert it slowly into the vagina.Stop before it becomes uncomfortable.
- Slowly press the plunger until it stops.
- Withdraw the applicator. The medicine will be left behind in thevagina.
- To care for the applicator
- Throw the applicator away after you use it.
To help clear up your infection completely, it isvery important that you keep using this medicine for the full time of treatment, even if your symptoms begin to clear up after a few days. If youstop using this medicine too soon, your symptoms may return. Do not miss any doses. Also, continue using thismedicine even if your menstrual period starts during the time of treatment.
Dosing?The dose of vaginal clindamycin will be differentfor different patients. The following information includes only the averagedose of vaginal clindamycin. If your dose is different,do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
- For vaginal cream dosage form:
- For bacterial vaginosis:
- Adults and teenagers who are not pregnant?One applicatorful(100 milligrams [mg]) inserted into the vagina once a day, usually at bedtime,for three or seven days.
- Adults and teenagers who are pregnant?One applicatorful (100milligrams [mg]) inserted into the vagina once a day, usually at bedtime,for seven days.
- Children?Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For vaginal cream prefilled applicatordosage form:
- For bacterial vaginosis:
- Adults and teenagers?One applicatorful (100 milligrams [mg])inserted into the vagina one time at any time of the day. This is a one-daytreatment.
- Children?Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
Missed dose?If you miss a dose of this medicine, use it assoon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip themissed dose 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.
- Keep the medicine from freezing. Do not refrigerate.
- 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
If yoursymptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they become worse, checkwith your doctor.
It is important that you visit your doctor after you have used all yourmedicine to make sure that the infection is gone.
This medicine may cause some people to become dizzy. Make sure you knowhow you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anythingelse that could be dangerous if you are dizzy.
It is important that you tell your doctor right away if diarrhea occurswhile you are using this medicine or after you have finished your treatment.It could be a symptom of a serious condition that your doctor will need todiagnose and treat.
Vaginal medicines usually leak out of the vagina during treatment. To keepthe medicine from getting on your clothing, wear a minipad or sanitary napkin.Do not use tampons since they may soak up the medicine.
To help clear up your infection completely and makesure it does not return, good health habits are also required.
- Wear cotton panties (or panties or pantyhose with cotton crotches)instead of synthetic (for example, nylon or rayon) panties.
- Wear only freshly washed panties daily.
Do not have sexual intercourse while you are usingthis medicine. Having sexual intercourse may reduce the strength ofthe medicine. This may cause the medicine to not work as well.
Do not use latex (rubber) contraceptive products suchas condoms, diaphragms, or cervical caps for 72 hours after stopping treatmentwith vaginal clindamycin cream. The cream contains oils that weakenor harm the latex products, causing them to not work properly to prevent pregnancy.If you have any questions about this, check with your health care professional.
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 as soon as possible if any of the following sideeffects occur:
Rare
Burning, itching, rash, redness, swelling or other signs of skinproblems not present before use of this medicine
After you stop using thismedicine, your body may need time to adjust. The length of time this takesdepends on the amount of medicine you were using and how long you used it.During this period of time, check with your doctor if you notice any of thefollowing side effects:
Itching of the vagina or genital area; pain during sexual intercourse; thick, white vaginaldischarge with no odor or with mild odor
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If younotice any other effects, check with your doctor.
Revised: 01/06/2005
