Clindamycin (Cleocin, Cleocin Phosphate) — Compare Prices at US & Canada Pharmacies

Clindamycin is a versatile antibiotic used for a wide range of infections, particularly ones caused by anaerobic bacteria or certain resistant staph infections, and it's a standard alternative for people with a penicillin allergy who need coverage against gram-positive bacteria. It comes in oral capsules, IV/IM injection, and topical forms (gel, lotion, foam, and vaginal cream) — the topical forms are commonly prescribed for acne and bacterial vaginosis, while oral and IV forms treat more serious infections like skin and soft-tissue infections, pelvic inflammatory disease, aspiration pneumonia, and bone or joint infections.

Clindamycin's most important safety issue, called out prominently on its FDA label, is its association with severe colitis caused by Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) — this risk applies even to the topical formulations, since enough of the drug is absorbed through the skin to trigger it in rare cases. Severe, persistent diarrhea, especially with blood or mucus, during or even weeks after finishing clindamycin should prompt an immediate call to your prescriber; this risk is one of the reasons clindamycin isn't used more routinely for infections that a narrower-spectrum antibiotic could treat just as well.

The WHO AWaRe framework classifies clindamycin as an Access antibiotic, meaning it's considered a first-line option for many of the infections it's approved to treat, largely because of its long track record and predictable resistance patterns compared with some broader-spectrum alternatives.

Contraindications

CONTRAINDICATIONS Clindamycin phosphate topical lotion is contraindicated in individuals with a history of hypersensitivity to preparations containing clindamycin or lincomycin, a history of regional enteritis or ulcerative colitis, or a history of antibiotic-associated colitis.

Warnings

WARNINGS Orally and parenterally administered clindamycin has been associated with severe colitis which may result in patient death. Use of the topical formulation of clindamycin results in absorption of the antibiotic from the skin surface. Diarrhea, bloody diarrhea, and colitis (including pseudomembranous colitis) have been reported with the use of topical and systemic clindamycin. Studies indicate a toxin(s) produced by clostridia is one primary cause of antibiotic-associated colitis. The colitis is usually characterized by severe persistent diarrhea and severe abdominal cramps and may be associated with the passage of blood and mucus.

Pregnancy & breastfeeding

Pregnancy: Teratogenic effects In clinical trials with pregnant women, the systemic administration of clindamycin during the second and third trimesters has not been associated with an increased frequency of congenital abnormalities. There are no adequate studies in pregnant women during the first trimester of pregnancy. Clindamycin should be used during the first trimester of pregnancy only if clearly needed.