Clindamycin

Drug Class:	Commonly Known As:	Category:
	Dalacin

Clindamycin - What is it for

Clindamycin is an antibiotic which works by preventing bacterial growth and multiplication. It is commonly used to treat infections involving the skin and soft tissues, bone and joints. It can also be applied on the skin to treat acne.

Clindamycin - Side Effects, Precautions, and Contraindications

What side effects can Clindamycin cause?

Common side effects include:

Diarrhoea

Drink plenty of water with oral rehydration salts to replenish your fluids and electrolytes.
If you experience any of the following severe symptoms, stop taking clindamycin and seek medical advice immediately:

Develop a fever or experience persistent diarrhoea, abdominal pain
Very watery or loose stools
Blood or pus in your stools

Nausea, vomiting, metallic or unpleasant taste in your mouth

Take clindamycin with or after food.

Heartburn, pain/burning sensation at the back of throat, stomach discomfort

Take clindamycin with a full glass of water. Take small but frequent meals, avoid spicy foods.

Very rarely, clindamycin may injure the liver. Stop this medication and seek medical advice immediately if you develop any of these symptoms:

Dark-coloured or tea-coloured urine
Light coloured stools
Severe abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting
Loss of appetite
Yellowing of the skin and eyes

The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following.

Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
Difficulty in breathing
Skin rashes over your whole body

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medicine immediately and see your doctor.

Before taking Clindamycin , what precautions must I follow?

Inform your healthcare professional if:

You are allergic to clindamycin, lincomycin or any of the other ingredients of this medication.
You are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. Risks and benefits regarding the use of clindamycin should be discussed with your doctor.
You are taking any other medications, including supplements, traditional medications and herbal remedies.

What food or medicine must I avoid when I take Clindamycin ?

Clindamycin - Dosage and How to Use

How should Clindamycin be used?

Oral Clindamycin

Clindamycin should be taken with or after food together with a full glass of water.
Complete the course of antibiotics as prescribed by your doctor. Incomplete treatment may cause the infection to recur.
Do check with your healthcare professional before stopping your medication.

Topical Clindamycin (Gel, Lotion)

Wash and dry your hands before and after using the medicine.
Clean and dry the area that you will be applying clindamycin on. Apply a thin layer of the medicine.
Topical clindamycin is usually applied 1 to 2 times a day. Follow your doctor's instructions.
Avoid your eyes, nose, mouth and lips when you apply clindamycin on your skin. Wash with water if the medicine gets into any of these areas. Avoid applying onto broken or irritated skin as it can worsen the skin condition.
It may take up to 3 months to see the effects of this medicine for acne. Do not stop using it even if you do not see results immediately.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your usual timing. Do not take two doses at the same time to make up for the missed dose.