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.
What is the most important information I should know about clindamycin?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to clindamycin or lincomycin (Bactramycin, L-Mycin, Lincocin).
Do not take clindamycin together with erythromycin (E.E.S., EryPed, Ery-Tab, Erythrocin, Pediazole, and others).
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 this medicine 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.
Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, stop taking clindamycin and call your doctor. Do not use anti-diarrhea medicine unless your doctor tells you to.
To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood may need to be tested often. Your kidney or liver function may also need to be tested. Visit your doctor regularly.
If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using clindamycin. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking clindamycin?
You should not use this medication if you are:
allergic to clindamycin or lincomycin (Bactramycin, L-Mycin, Lincocin); or
if you are also taking erythromycin (E.E.S., EryPed, Ery-Tab, Erythrocin, Pediazole, and others).
To make sure you can safely take clindamycin, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
colitis, Crohn's disease, or other intestinal disorder;
kidney disease;
liver disease; or
a history of asthma, eczema, or allergic skin reaction.
FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
Clindamycin can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.