Clindamycin

Clindamycin is an antibiotic that fights bacteria. It is used to treat acne, which appears as spots or pimples on your face, chest or back. This medicine works by attacking the bacteria that cause these pimples. Clindamycin is only meant for external use and should be used as advised by your doctor. You should normally wash and dry the affected area before applying a thin layer of the medicine. It should not be applied to broken or damaged skin. Avoid any contact with your eyes, nose or mouth. Rinse it off with water if you accidentally get it in these areas. It may take several weeks for your symptoms to improve, but you should keep using this medicine regularly. Do not stop using it as soon as your acne starts to get better. Ask your doctor when you should stop treatment.

Clindamycin is an antibiotic. It works by preventing synthesis of essential proteins required by bacteria to carry out vital functions. Thus, it stops the bacteria from growing, and prevents the infection from spreading.

• Upper and Lower Respiratory Tract Infections
• Skin and Soft Tissue Infections
• Bone and Joint Infections
• Pelvic Infections
• Intra-abdominal Infections (Peritonitis)
• Septicemia and Endocarditis
• Dental Infections
• Acne
• Bacterial Vaginosis
• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
• Toxic Shock Syndrome
• Anaerobic Infections

Clindamycin is a lincosamide antibiotic used in the treatment of infections caused by susceptible microorganisms. Clindamycin is a semisynthetic antibiotic derived from lincomycin. It is active against anaerobic bacteria or susceptible strains of gram-positive bacteria such as Streptococci, Staphylococci and Pneumococci. Clindamycin is also active against anaerobic gram-negative bacilli, gram-positive non-spore forming bacilli, and anaerobic and microaerophilic gram-positive cocci.

Clindamycin inhibits protein synthesis by reversibly binding to the 50S subunit of the ribosomal, thus blocking the transpeptidation or translocation reactions of susceptible organisms resulting in stunted cell growth.

Adult Dose (Oral):

• Serious infections: 150-300 mg every 6 hours
• More severe infections: 300-450 mg every 6 hours (max 1.8 g/day)
• Bacterial Vaginosis: 300 mg every 12 hours (7 days)
• Endocarditis prophylaxis: 600 mg 1 hour before dental procedure

Pediatric Dose (Oral): 10-25 mg/kg/day (every 8 hours); severe infections: 30-40 mg/kg/day.

Adult Dose (Parenteral): 0.6-2.7 g/day in divided doses; severe infections: up to 4.8 g/day.

Pediatric Dose (Parenteral): 20-40 mg/kg/day (every 8 hours).

This medicine is for external use only. Use it in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Check the label for directions before use. Clean and dry the affected area and apply the gel. Wash your hands after applying, unless hands are the affected area. For oral use, take with a full glass of water to avoid esophageal irritation.

If you miss a dose of Clindamycin, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose.

Common Side Effects:

• Skin rash
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Pruritus
• Urticaria
• Esophagitis and esophageal ulcer

Serious Side Effects: Pseudomembranous colitis (Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea), anaphylaxis.

• You have been prescribed Clindamycin for the treatment of acne. It may take a long time before your acne starts to improve. Be patient and keep using it every day.
• Wash your skin with a mild cleanser and pat it dry before applying Clindamycin.
• Do not apply to broken or damaged skin.
• Avoid contact with your eyes, nose or mouth.
• Use with caution in individuals with a history of gastrointestinal disease, particularly colitis.
• Caution during pregnancy and lactation.

• Hypersensitivity to clindamycin or any of the ingredients.

May enhance the action of neuromuscular blocking agents (e.g., atracurium). May antagonise the effects of parasympathomimetics. May competitively inhibit the effects of macrolides, ketolides, streptogramins, linezolid and chloramphenicol. Increased coagulation tests (prothrombin time/INR) and/or bleeding with vitamin K antagonists (e.g., warfarin). Antagonism has been demonstrated between clindamycin and erythromycin in vitro; these two drugs should not be administered concurrently.

No food interactions have been found or established. Clindamycin capsules should be taken with a full glass of water to avoid esophageal irritation.

[SAFE IF PRESCRIBED] Clindamycin is generally considered safe to use during pregnancy. Animal studies have shown low or no adverse effects to the developing baby; however, there are limited human studies. Pregnancy Category B. Clindamycin crosses the placenta. Should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed.

[SAFE IF PRESCRIBED] Clindamycin is safe to use during breastfeeding. Human studies suggest that the drug does not pass into the breastmilk in a significant amount and is not harmful to the baby. Clindamycin has been reported to appear in breast milk. There may be a possibility of diarrhea or rash in the baby. Not recommended for nursing mothers if not clearly needed.

Pediatric dose: Neonates (less than 1 month): 15-20 mg/kg/day in 3-4 equal doses; Children (1 month-16 years): Oral 10-25 mg/kg/day (every 8 hours); severe infections: 30-40 mg/kg/day; Parenteral 20-40 mg/kg/day (every 8 hours).

Dose adjustment of Clindamycin is not necessary for geriatric patients.

Limited information is available regarding use in kidney or liver problems.

Overdosage with orally administered clindamycin has been rare. Adverse reactions similar to those seen with normal doses can be expected. Hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis are not effective in removing clindamycin from the serum. Overdosage should be treated with simple gastric lavage.

Keep below 30°C temperature, away from light & moisture. Keep out of reach of children.

Clindamycin