Clindamycin (Intramuscular, Intravenous)

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

Clindamycin is part of a group of medicines called macrolide antibiotics. It works by killing bacteria or stopping them from growing. 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 monitor your or your child's progress after treatment. This ensures that the infection is fully cleared and allows your doctor to check for any side effects. Blood tests may be needed to check for side effects.

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

This medicine contains benzyl alcohol, which may cause serious reactions (for example, gasping syndrome) in newborn or premature babies. Discuss this with your doctor if you have concerns.

Contact your doctor immediately if you experience bloody urine, a decrease in the frequency or amount of urine, increased blood pressure, increased thirst, loss of appetite, lower back or side pain, nausea, swelling of the face, fingers, or lower legs, trouble breathing, unusual tiredness or weakness, vomiting, or weight gain. These could be signs of a serious kidney issue.

Serious skin reactions, including toxic epidermal necrolysis, drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), and Stevens-Johnson syndrome can occur with this medicine. Contact 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.

This medicine may cause a serious allergic reaction called anaphylaxis, which 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 receiving this medicine.

Do not take other medicines unless your doctor has discussed them with you. 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. For this medicine, the following points should be taken into account:

Allergies

Inform your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reactions to this medicine or any other medicines. Also, let your healthcare provider know about 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 have not shown any specific problems in children that would limit the effectiveness of clindamycin injection.

Geriatric

Studies have not indicated any specific problems in elderly patients that would limit the effectiveness of clindamycin injection. However, older adults are more likely to experience diarrhea, which may require caution and dose adjustments for those taking this medicine.

Breast Feeding

There are not enough studies in women to determine the risk to infants when using this medicine during breastfeeding. Consider the potential benefits and risks before taking this medicine while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should not be used together, while others can be used in combination even if there might be an interaction. In such cases, your doctor may adjust the dose or take other precautions. It is especially important that your healthcare provider knows if you are taking any of the following medicines while receiving this medicine. The following interactions are based on their potential significance and are not a complete list.

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 adjust the dose or frequency for one or both.

• 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 may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may adjust the dose or frequency for one or both.

• Atracurium
• Metocurine
• Tubocurarine

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

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

Other Medical Problems

Other medical conditions may affect the use of this medicine. Be sure to inform your doctor if you have any other medical issues, especially:

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

Along with its necessary effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Not all of these side effects will occur, but if they do, they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse right away if any of the following side effects happen:

Rare

• Cracks in the skin
• loss of heat from the body
• red, swollen skin
• scaly skin

Incidence not known

• Agitation
• black, tarry stools
• bleeding gums
• blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
• bloating
• blood in the urine or stools
• blurred vision
• chest pain or tightness
• chills
• clay-colored stools
• cloudy urine
• coma
• confusion
• cough or hoarseness
• dark urine
• decrease in the amount of urine
• depression
• diarrhea
• diarrhea, watery and severe, which may also be bloody
• difficulty with swallowing
• dizziness
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when standing up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• dry mouth
• fast heartbeat
• fever with or without chills
• general feeling of tiredness or weakness
• headache
• heart stops
• hives or welts, itching, or skin rash
• hostility
• increased thirst
• irritability
• itching of the vagina or genital area
• joint or muscle pain
• lethargy
• loss of appetite
• lower back or side pain
• muscle twitching
• nausea or vomiting
• no breathing
• no pulse or blood pressure
• pain during sexual intercourse
• pain in the lower back or side
• pain, tenderness, or swelling of the foot or leg
• painful or difficult urination
• pinpoint red spots on the skin
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• rapid weight gain
• 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
• seizures
• sore throat
• sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
• stomach cramps, pain, or tenderness
• swelling of the face, ankles, or hands
• swollen glands
• thick, white vaginal discharge with no odor or with a mild odor
• thirst
• unconscious
• unpleasant breath odor
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• unusual weight loss
• vomiting of blood
• yellow eyes or skin

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Your health care professional may also be able to tell you how to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome, or if you have any questions about them:

Incidence not known

• Bitter taste
• changes in skin color
• pain, lump, or irritation at the injection site

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 Phosphate IV

Available Dosage Forms:

• Solution

Therapeutic Class: Antibiotic

Chemical Class: Lincosamide

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you or your child this medicine in a hospital. This medicine is given as a shot into a muscle or into a vein.

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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