Clindamycin and sodium chloride (Intravenous)

Clindamycin and sodium chloride injection is used to treat bacterial infections in various parts of the body. This medicine is given to patients who have had an allergic reaction to penicillin.

Clindamycin is part of a group of medicines called macrolide antibiotics. It works by killing bacteria or stopping their growth. However, this medicine will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections.

This medicine should only be given by or under the direct supervision of your doctor.

It is important for your doctor to check how you or your child are doing after treatment. This is to ensure that the infection is completely gone. Blood and urine tests may be needed to look for any unwanted effects.

This medicine may cause diarrhea, which can be severe in some cases. It can happen 2 months or more after you or your child stop using this medicine. Do not take any medicine to treat diarrhea without first talking to your doctor. If you have any questions or if mild diarrhea continues or gets worse, consult your doctor.

This medicine may cause a serious allergic reaction called anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening and needs 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 receiving this medicine.

Serious skin reactions, including toxic epidermal necrolysis, drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), and Stevens-Johnson syndrome can happen with this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you or your child have black, tarry stools, blistering, peeling, or loose skin, chest pain, chills, cough, diarrhea, itching, joint or muscle pain, painful or difficult urination, red irritated eyes, red skin lesions, often with a purple center, sore throat, sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips, swollen glands, trouble breathing, unusual bleeding or bruising, or unusual tiredness or weakness while you or your child are receiving this medicine.

Do not take other medicines unless you have discussed them 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 of the medicine compared to the benefits it may provide. Here are some important points to think about for this medicine:

Allergies

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

Pediatric

Studies so far have not shown any specific problems in children that would limit the usefulness of clindamycin and sodium chloride injection.

Geriatric

Studies so far have not shown any specific problems in older adults that would limit the usefulness of clindamycin and sodium chloride injection. However, older patients are more likely to experience diarrhea, which may require caution and dose adjustments for those using this medicine.

Breast Feeding

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

Studies in women suggest that this medication poses minimal risk to the infant when used during breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should not be used together, while others may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In such cases, your doctor may adjust the dose or take other precautions. When you are receiving this medicine, it's very important for your healthcare provider to know if you are taking any of the following medicines. The following interactions are based on their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

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

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

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

• Atracurium
• Metocurine
• Tubocurarine

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Some medicines should not be taken around the time of eating or with certain types of food due to potential interactions. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also lead to interactions. Talk with your healthcare provider about using your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

Other medical issues may impact the use of this medicine. Make sure to inform your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Atopic syndrome or
• History of stomach or bowel problems—This medicine should not be used in patients with these conditions.

• Diarrhea or
• Severe liver disease—Use with caution. This medicine may worsen these conditions.

Along with its necessary effects, this medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Not all side effects may happen, but if they do, they might require medical attention.

Contact your doctor or nurse right away if you notice any of the following side effects:

Incidence not known

• Black, tarry stools
• Blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
• Bloating
• Bloody or cloudy urine
• Blurred vision
• Changes in skin color
• Chest tightness
• Chills
• Clay-colored stools
• Confusion
• Cough
• Dark urine
• Diarrhea
• Difficulty swallowing
• Dizziness
• Dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• Dry mouth
• Fast heartbeat
• Fever
• Headache
• Hives, itching, skin rash
• Increased thirst
• Itching of the vagina or genital area
• Joint or muscle pain
• Large, hive-like swelling on face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea or vomiting
• No breathing
• No pulse or blood pressure
• Painful or difficult urination
• Pain during sexual intercourse
• Pain in the lower back or side
• Pain, lump, or irritation at the injection site
• Pale 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 irritated eyes
• Red skin lesions, often with a purple center
• Severe stomach cramps, pain, and tenderness
• Sore throat
• Sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
• Sweating
• Swollen glands
• Thick, white vaginal discharge with no odor or with a mild odor
• Trouble breathing
• Unpleasant breath odor
• Unconscious
• Unusual bleeding or bruising
• Unusual tiredness or weakness
• Unusual weight loss
• Vomiting of blood
• Watery and severe diarrhea, which may also be bloody
• Yellow eyes or skin

Some side effects may occur that usually do not require medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Your healthcare professional may also provide ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Talk to your healthcare professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Incidence not known

• Bitter or metallic taste

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

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

Available Dosage Forms:

• Solution

Therapeutic Class: Antibiotic

Chemical Class: Clindamycin

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine in a medical facility. It is given as a needle placed into one of your veins. This medicine must be injected slowly, so the needle will have to remain in place for at least 10 minutes.

Your doctor will give you or your child a few doses of this medicine until your condition improves, and then switch you to an oral medicine that works the same way. If you have any concerns about this, talk to your doctor.

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