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Drug Notebook

Generic Name: clindamycin

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A lincomycin derivative - used forPerinatal Group B Streptococcal Disease and Bacterial Endocarditis... more

FDA Alerts

Diarrhea and Colitis

Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea and colitis (antibiotic-associated pseudomembranous colitis) has been reported with nearly all anti-infectives, including clindamycin, and may range in severity from mild to life-threatening. Anti-infectives alter normal flora of the colon and may permit overgrowth of clostridia; a toxin produced by C. difficile is one primary cause of antibiotic-associated colitis.
It is important to consider a diagnosis of C. difficile-associated diarrhea and colitis in patients who develop diarrhea subsequent to clindamycin treatment. Diarrhea, colitis, and pseudomembranous colitis have been observed to begin up to several weeks after cessation of clindamycin therapy.
After a diagnosis of C. difficile-associated diarrhea and colitis has been established, initiate therapeutic measures.

Mild cases usually respond to drug discontinuation alone.

In moderate to severe cases, consideration should be given to management with fluids and electrolytes, protein supplementation, and treatment with an anti-infective clinically effective against C. difficile colitis. (See Superinfection/Clostridium difficile-associated Colitis under Cautions.)
Because clindamycin has been associated with severe colitis (potentially fatal), it should be reserved for treatment of serious infections when less toxic anti-infectives are inappropriate.
Do not use for nonbacterial infections.

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Cleocin HCl
CLEOCIN 300 mg / CLEOCIN 300 mg 300 mg	CLEOCIN 150MG / CLEOCIN 150MG 150 mg
Clindamycin Hydrochloride
cor 153 cor 153 / cor 153 cor 153 150 mg	DAN 5708 / DAN 5708 150 mg	93 3171 / 93 3171 150 mg	cor 154 cor 154 / cor 154 cor 154 300 mg
RX693 RX693 / RX693 RX693 300 mg	DAN 3120 / DAN 3120 300 mg	G 150 mg / 3328 150 mg

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clindamycin

(klin da MYE sin)

What is clindamycin?What is the price of this medication and similar alternatives?What are the possible side effects of clindamycin?How should I take clindamycin?What is the most important information I should know about clindamycin?What happens if I miss a dose?What other drugs will affect clindamycin?Can I take this if I am pregnant or trying to get pregnant or if I am breastfeeding?Who should NOT use this medication?What does my medication look like?What happens if I overdose?What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking clindamycin?Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?Where can I get more information?

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 other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the price of this medication and similar alternatives?

Pricing information provided by drugstore.com.

Cleocin 100MG SUPP	PFIZER U.S.	3/$64.13 or 9/$172.37
Cleocin 150MG CAPS	PFIZER U.S.	30/$96.99 or 90/$257.99
Cleocin 2% CREA	PFIZER U.S.	40/$65.99 or 120/$191.98
Cleocin 300MG CAPS	PFIZER U.S.	30/$206.36 or 90/$553.91
Cleocin 75MG/5ML SOLN	PFIZER U.S.	100/$33.57 or 300/$89.55
Cleocin-T 1% GEL	PFIZER U.S.	30/$50.99 or 90/$146.96
Cleocin-T 1% GEL	PFIZER U.S.	60/$88 or 180/$253.96
Cleocin-T 1% LOTN	PFIZER U.S.	60/$71.99 or 180/$204.98
Cleocin-T 1% SOLN	PFIZER U.S.	30/$30.99 or 90/$86.97
Cleocin-T 1% SOLN	PFIZER U.S.	60/$55.99 or 180/$164.97
Clindamycin HCl 150MG CAPS	GREENSTONE	30/$24.99 or 90/$69.97
Clindamycin HCl 300MG CAPS	RANBAXY PHARMACEUTICALS	30/$79.99 or 90/$238.98
Clindamycin Phosphate 1% GEL	FOUGERA	60/$51.5 or 180/$148.32
Clindamycin Phosphate 1% GEL	GREENSTONE	30/$18.99 or 90/$50.99
Clindamycin Phosphate 1% LOTN	FOUGERA	60/$45.99 or 180/$123.97
Clindamycin Phosphate 1% SOLN	GREENSTONE	30/$13.99 or 90/$38.99
Clindamycin Phosphate 1% SOLN	TARO	60/$16.79 or 180/$49.97
Evoclin 1% FOAM	STIEFEL	50/$152.44 or 150/$412.71

What are the possible side effects of clindamycin?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using clindamycin and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

diarrhea that is watery or bloody;
fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
urinating less than usual or not at all; or
fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash.

Keep taking clindamycin and talk to your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects:

mild nausea or stomach pain;
vaginal itching or discharge;
mild skin rash or itching; or
irritation in your throat.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

How should I take clindamycin?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Take this medicine with a full glass of water to keep it from irritating your throat. Shake the oral suspension (liquid) well just before you measure a dose. To be sure you get the correct dose, measure the liquid with a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

What is the most important information I should know about clindamycin?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to clindamycin or lincomycin (Bactramycin, L-Mycin, Lincocin) Do not take clindamycin together with erythromycin (E-Mycin, E.E.S., Eryc, Ery-Tab, Robimycin, 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 medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Clindamycin will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What other drugs will affect clindamycin?
There may be other drugs that can affect clindamycin. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Can I take this if I am pregnant or trying to get pregnant or if I am breastfeeding?

Clindamycin has been assigned to pregnancy category B by the FDA. Animal studies have failed to reveal evidence of teratogenicity. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy. However, clindamycin has been used during pregnancy and labor and delivery without adverse effects in the fetus or neonate. Clindamycin is only recommended for use during pregnancy when benefit outweighs risk.

The results of a study have suggested that early second trimester treatment of bacterial vaginosis and abnormal vaginal flora with oral clindamycin may reduce the incidence of preterm delivery and late miscarriage (n=485).

Clindamycin is excreted into human milk. Concentrations of 0.7 to 3.8 mcg/mL have been reported. Adverse gastrointestinal effects have been reported in one nursing infant exposed to multiple drugs including clindamycin; however, the exact cause of these effects is unknown. The manufacturer recommends that due to the potential for adverse effects in neonates, a decision should be made to discontinue nursing or discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.

Who should NOT use this medication?

Patients hypersensitive to clindamycin or lincomycin.

What does my medication look like?
Clindamycin is available with a prescription under the brand name Cleocin. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you. Cleocin 75 mg--green capsules Cleocin 150 mg--light-blue and green capsules Cleocin 300 mg--light-blue capsules

What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Symptoms of a clindamycin overdose may include depression, changes in behavior, or seizure (convulsions).

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking clindamycin?
Do not use this medication if you are: allergic to clindamycin or lincomycin (Bactramycin, L-Mycin, Lincocin); or if you are also taking erythromycin (E-Mycin, E.E.S., Eryc, Ery-Tab, Robimycin, and others). Before using clindamycin, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have: colitis, Crohn's disease, or other intestinal disorder; kidney disease; liver disease; or a history of asthma, eczema, or allergic skin reaction. If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use clindamycin, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
If you have been diagnosed with a disease for which an antibiotic is needed, you must complete the prescribed course of treatment. Even if you start to feel better, do not skip any doses and remember to take the medication until it is all gone.

I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.

Where can I get more information?
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