Clinabac

Indications

Clindamycin is an antibiotic. It is used for bacterial infections, including:

• Skin and soft tissue infections, such as boils, abscesses and infected wounds.
• Bone and joint infections.
• Dental and throat infections, especially in people allergic to penicillin.
• Chest and abdominal or pelvic infections (often with another antibiotic).
• As a gel or lotion on the skin for acne, and as a vaginal cream for bacterial vaginosis.

How It Works

Clindamycin stops bacteria from making the proteins they need to grow and multiply. This allows the body's defences to clear the infection. It works well against many skin bacteria, including some resistant staphylococci, and against bacteria that grow without oxygen.

Dosage and Administration

• Capsules, adults: usually 150 to 300 mg every 6 hours. For severe infections the doctor may prescribe up to 450 mg every 6 hours.
• Injection: given by a doctor or nurse into a muscle or vein, at the dose they decide.
• Skin gel or lotion for acne: apply a thin layer to the affected areas twice a day, as directed.
• Vaginal cream: as prescribed, usually at bedtime for a set number of nights.
• Children: only as prescribed, by body weight.

Swallow capsules with a full glass of water to avoid throat irritation, and do not lie down straight after. Finish the full course even if you feel better.

Interactions

• Erythromycin may reduce its effect; they are usually not used together.
• Muscle relaxants used during surgery: clindamycin can increase their effect.
• Rifampicin can lower its levels.
• Warfarin: its effect may increase; blood tests may be needed.
• Vaginal cream can weaken latex condoms and diaphragms during use and for a few days after.

Contraindications

• Allergy to clindamycin or lincomycin.
• A previous bowel infection caused by antibiotics (Clostridioides difficile colitis).

Side Effects

Common: diarrhoea, nausea, stomach pain, a metallic taste and rash. Skin products can cause dryness, peeling and irritation.

Get urgent medical help for severe, watery or bloody diarrhoea with stomach cramps or fever, which can happen during treatment or up to two months after stopping; do not take medicines to stop the diarrhoea in this case. Also seek urgent help for signs of a serious allergy (swelling of the face or throat, trouble breathing), a severe rash with blistering or peeling skin, or yellow skin or eyes.

Pregnancy and Lactation

It may be used in pregnancy when a doctor decides it is needed. It passes into breast milk and can sometimes upset the baby's gut; watch for diarrhoea, thrush or rash in the baby. Skin and vaginal forms reach the blood in only small amounts.

Precautions and Warnings

• It carries a higher risk than many antibiotics of causing serious antibiotic-related diarrhoea; tell your doctor about any history of bowel disease.
• Use with care in liver or kidney disease and in older people.
• Long courses need blood tests.
• Keep skin products away from the eyes, mouth and broken skin.
• Use antibiotics only as prescribed, to reduce resistance.

Overdose

Overdose may cause severe stomach upset and diarrhoea. Contact a doctor or get urgent medical help.

Therapeutic Class

Lincosamide antibiotic.

Storage

Store below 30°C in a dry place, away from light. Do not refrigerate or freeze skin gels unless the pack says so. Keep out of reach of children.