Cleocin HCl (Oral)

Clindamycin is used to treat bacterial infections. This medicine may be given to patients who have had an allergic reaction to penicillin. Clindamycin will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

It is important for your doctor to check your or your child's progress after treatment. This is to ensure that the infection is completely cleared and to allow your doctor to monitor for any unwanted effects. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

If your or your child's symptoms do not get better, or if they worsen, consult your doctor.

This medicine may cause diarrhea, and in some cases it can be severe. Diarrhea may occur 2 months or more after you stop using this medicine. Do not take any medicine to treat diarrhea without first consulting your doctor. If you have any questions or if mild diarrhea continues or worsens, consult your doctor.

Serious skin reactions can occur with this medicine. Consult your doctor immediately if you have blistering, peeling, or loose skin, red skin lesions, severe acne or skin rash, sores or ulcers on the skin, or fever or chills while you or your child are using this medicine.

This medicine may cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth while you or your child are using this medicine.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

In deciding to use a medicine, you and your doctor need to consider the risks and benefits of the medicine. Here are some things to take into account for this medicine:

Allergies

Inform your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also, let your healthcare professional know if you have any other allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For over-the-counter products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Studies conducted so far have not found any specific problems in children that would limit the use of clindamycin.

Geriatric

While specific studies on how age affects clindamycin have not been done in older adults, no issues specific to elderly patients have been reported. However, older patients are more likely to have colitis, so caution may be needed when using clindamycin in these patients.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women to determine the risk to infants when using this medication while breastfeeding. Consider the potential benefits against the possible risks before taking this medication during breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should not be used together at all, while in other cases, two different medicines may be used together even if there might be an interaction. In such cases, your doctor may adjust the dose or take other precautions. It is especially important for your healthcare professional to know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below when you are using this medicine. The following interactions are highlighted based on their potential significance and are not all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be necessary in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may adjust the dose or frequency of one or both medicines.

• Cholera Vaccine, Live
• Daridorexant
• Erythromycin
• Fedratinib
• Mavacamten
• Methotrexate
• Omaveloxolone
• Phenobarbital
• Primidone

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may increase the risk of certain side effects, but using both may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may adjust the dose or frequency of one or both medicines.

• Atracurium
• Cyclosporine
• Metocurine
• Semaglutide
• Tubocurarine

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Some medicines should not be taken around mealtime or with certain types of food due to possible interactions. Using alcohol or tobacco with some medicines may also cause interactions. Talk with your healthcare professional about using your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

Having other medical issues may affect how you use this medicine. Be sure to inform your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Atopic syndrome or
• Diarrhea or
• Severe liver disease or
• History of stomach or bowel problems—Use with caution. May worsen these conditions.

• Meningitis—Should not be used in patients with this condition.

Along with its necessary effects, a medicine can also cause some unwanted effects. Not all of these side effects may happen, but if they do, they may require medical attention.

Check with your doctor right away if any of the following side effects occur:

Rare

• Cracks in the skin
• Loss of heat from the body
• Red, swollen, scaly skin

Incidence not known

• Abdominal or stomach cramps, pain, or tenderness
• Black, tarry stools
• Bleeding gums
• Blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
• Bloating
• Blood in the urine or stools
• Blurred vision
• Chest pain
• Chills
• Clay-colored stools
• Cloudy urine
• Confusion
• Cough or hoarseness
• Dark urine
• Decrease in the amount of urine
• Diarrhea
• Watery and severe diarrhea, which may also be bloody
• Difficulty swallowing
• Dizziness
• Dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• Dry mouth
• Fast heartbeat
• Fever with or without chills
• General feeling of tiredness or weakness
• Headache
• Heartburn
• Heart stops
• Hives or welts, itching, or skin rash
• Increased thirst
• Itching of the vagina or genital area
• Joint or muscle pain
• Loss of appetite
• Lower back or side pain
• Nausea or vomiting
• No breathing
• No pulse or blood pressure
• Pain during sexual intercourse
• Pain in the lower back or side
• Painful or difficult urination
• Pinpoint red spots on the skin
• Puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• Rash with flat lesions or small raised lesions on the skin
• Red skin lesions, often with a purple center
• Red, irritated eyes
• Redness of the skin
• Sore throat
• Sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
• Swollen glands
• Thick, white vaginal discharge with no odor or with a mild odor
• Thirst
• Tightness in the chest
• Trouble breathing
• Unconscious
• Unpleasant breath odor
• Unusual bleeding or bruising
• Unusual tiredness or weakness
• Unusual weight loss
• Vomiting of blood
• Yellow eyes or skin

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In the U.S.

• Cleocin HCl
• Cleocin Pediatric

In Canada

• Dalacin C Palmitate

Available Dosage Forms:

• Powder for Solution
• Capsule

Therapeutic Class: Antibiotic

Chemical Class: Lincosamide

Take this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. To do so may increase the chance of side effects.

Take the capsule with a full glass (8 ounces) of water. This is to prevent irritation of the esophagus (tube between the throat and stomach).

Measure the oral liquid correctly using the marked measuring spoon that comes with the package. The average household teaspoon may not hold the right amount of liquid.

To help clear up your infection completely, keep using this medicine for the full time of treatment, even if you begin to feel better after a few days. If you have a "strep'' infection, you should keep using this medicine for at least 10 days. This is especially important in "strep" infections. Serious heart problems could develop later if your infection is not cleared up completely. Also, if you stop taking this medicine too soon, your symptoms may return.

This medicine works best when there is a constant amount in the blood. To help keep the amount constant, do not miss any doses. Also, it is best to take each dose at evenly spaced times day and night. If you need help in planning the best times to take your medicine, check with your doctor.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For oral dosage forms (capsules and solution):For treatment of bacterial infections: Adults—150 to 300 milligrams (mg) every 6 hours. For more severe infections, 300 to 450 mg every 6 hours. Children weighing 10 kilograms (kg) or more—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is usually 8 to 16 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight per day, divided into 3 or 4 equal doses. For more severe infections, the dose is usually 16 to 25 mg per kg of body weight per day, divided into 3 or 4 equal doses. Children weighing 10 kg or less—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is usually 37.5 milligrams (mg) or 1/2 teaspoonful 3 times a day.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, 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 dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

• What are the best antibiotics for a tooth infection?
• What are the best antibiotics for boils?
• What is the Best Antibiotic for Strep Throat?
• Why can't you lie down after taking clindamycin?
• How long does clindamycin take to start working?
• Is clindamycin a strong antibiotic?
• Can I take clindamycin if I am allergic to penicillin?
• Is clindamycin a penicillin?
• Can clindamycin be used to treat chlamydia?

View more FAQ