Overview: Clindamycin is an antibiotic used to treat some infections caused by certain bacteria. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, and itching. Notify your health care provider right away if you develop a rash or watery or bloody diarrhea that may happen up to two months after stopping this medicine. 

Uses

What is clindamycin used for?

Clindamycin is commonly used for the following infections caused by certain bacteria.

Clindamycin may not be appropriate for some of the infections listed above, depending on which germs are causing the infection. Bacteria in some locations may have developed resistance to clindamycin, which will make it not work as well.

Clindamycin may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does clindamycin work (mechanism of action)?

Clindamycin stops certain types of bacteria from making proteins they need to grow and multiply.

How is clindamycin supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Cleocin
  • Cleocin Pediatric

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 75 mg oral capsule
  • 150 mg oral capsule
  • 300 mg oral capsule
  • 75 mg/5mL oral solution

Clindamycin is also available in injectable forms.

See also: Clindamycin topical and Clindamycin vaginal

How should I store clindamycin?

Oral Liquid and Capsule. Clindamycin liquid and capsules should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place. Do not refrigerate clindamycin oral liquid. Throw away any unused clindamycin oral liquid after two weeks. 

Injection Liquid. Injectable clindamycin is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic. You will not store it at home.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of clindamycin?

The most common side effects of clindamycin are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Stomach pain
  • Itching
  • Pain or discharge from the vagina (vaginitis)

There may be other side effects of clindamycin that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of clindamycin?

While less common, the most serious side effects of clindamycin are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Clindamycin can cause allergic reactions, including a specific type of allergic reaction called DRESS. DRESS stands for drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms. It is also sometimes called multiorgan hypersensitivity. This is a reaction that can affect multiple parts of the body, including your liver, kidneys, and heart. Stop taking the medicine and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain
  • Dark colored urine
  • Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice)

Antibiotic-associated Diarrhea. An overgrowth of germs called Clostridioides difficile, or C. diff, can happen in your gut with many types of antibiotics, including clindamycin. This can cause a condition known as antibiotic-associated diarrhea and can happen even up to two months after stopping the antibiotic. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of this condition.

  • Watery diarrhea
  • Diarrhea that does not go away
  • Blood in your stool (poop)
  • Severe stomach cramps
  • Fever that starts after you start or finish the medicine

Severe Skin Reactions. Clindamycin can cause severe skin reactions, called Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), that can lead to death if not treated. If you develop a rash, stop clindamycin and call your health care provider right away. Get emergency help if you have any of the following symptoms of SJS or TEN.

  • Painful red or purple skin that looks burned and peels off
  • Flat red rash or blisters on your skin, mouth, nose, and genitals
  • Red, painful, watery eyes
  • Flu-like symptoms including fever, chills, and muscle aches

Kidney Damage. Kidney damage can happen when taking clindamycin. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of kidney damage.

  • Reduced need to pee
  • Swelling in your feet, ankles, or legs
  • Weakness or unusual tiredness
  • Difficulty catching your breath or chest pain/pressure
  • Confusion
  • Nausea
  • Seizures

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use clindamycin?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take clindamycin.

  • Cleocin
  • Clindamycin
  • Lincomycin
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific clindamycin products they stock.

What should I know about clindamycin before using it?

Do not take clindamycin unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Take it as prescribed.

Do not share clindamycin with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep clindamycin out of the reach of children.

Do not open clindamycin capsules. They should be swallowed whole with a full glass of water. 

Use an accurate measuring device to measure your dose of clindamycin liquid. A household spoon is not an accurate measuring device and may cause you to take the wrong dose. Ask your pharmacist to recommend an appropriate measuring device. 

People who are 65 or older can be at greater risk for some side effects from clindamycin. Talk to your health care provider about your risks if you are in this age group.

What should I tell my health care provider before using clindamycin?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if clindamycin is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

  • Kidney problems
  • Gastrointestinal problems, including inflammation of the lining of the colon (colitis)
  • A condition called atopy
  • Aspirin sensitivity

Other Medicines and Supplements. Clindamycin may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking clindamycin, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how clindamycin could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your health care provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. Your health care provider will advise you if you should use clindamycin while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.

Breastfeeding. Clindamycin passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will advise you if you should use clindamycin while breastfeeding. If you breastfeed while using clindamycin, monitor your baby for side effects, including diarrhea, bloody poop, or white patches in their mouth (thrush). Contact your health care provider if you notice any of these things. 

Interactions

Does clindamycin interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between clindamycin and foods or drinks.

There are no known interactions between clindamycin and alcohol, but heavy drinking can slow your immune response and make it harder for your body to fight infection.

Does clindamycin interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking clindamycin.

  • Rifampin (Rifadin), which is a medicine commonly used to treat an infection called tuberculosis.
  • Clarithromycin, which is a medicine used for bacterial infections
  • Itraconazole (Sporanox, Tolsura), ketoconazole, posaconazole (Noxafil), or voriconazole (Vfend), which is a medicine used for fungal infections
  • Nefazodone, which is a medicine used to treat depression
  • Lopinavir/ritonavir (Kaletra), nelfinavir (Viracept), ritonavir (Norvir), which is a medicine commonly used to treat HIV
  • Carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol, and others) or phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek, and others), which is a medicine commonly used to treat seizures
  • St. John’s wort, which is a supplement that may be used for depression

Many other medicines may alter the blood levels of clindamycin. Tell your health care provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with clindamycin. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much clindamycin?

If you or someone else has used too much clindamycin, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of clindamycin?

Oral Liquid and Capsules. It is important to complete your prescribed course of clindamycin liquid or capsules, even if your symptoms get better or go away. This will reduce the risk that future infections are resistant to clindamycin or other similar medicines. If you miss a clindamycin oral liquid or capsule dose, take it as soon as you remember it. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

Injection Liquid. Clindamycin injection is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital. Your health care provider will make sure you are receiving clindamycin as scheduled.