Clindamycin

Clindamycin Structural Formula

Clindamycin is an antibiotic that can be used for the treatment of malaria in combination with a second drug, usually quinine or quinidine.

Information about Clindamycin

Clindamycin is a broad spectrum antibiotic used orally, topically and parenterally for bacterial infections due to sensitive organisms.

Liver safety of Clindamycin

Clindamycin has been linked to rare instances of acute liver injury.

Mechanism of action of Clindamycin

Clindamycin (klin" da mye' sin) is a lincomycin derivative with activity against many aerobic gram-positive cocci as well as many anaerobic gram-negative and gram-positive organisms.

It has special activity against Bacteroides fragilis and some activity against Toxoplasma gondii and Pneumocystis jiroveci. Clindamycin acts by its binding to the 50S ribosomal subunit of bacteria, thus inhibiting protein synthesis.

FDA approval information for Clindamycin

Clindamycin was approved for use in the United States in 1970 and is still in wide use with several million prescriptions being filled yearly. Current indications include moderate-to-severe bacterial infections caused by sensitive organisms. It is also used topically for acne and bacterial vaginosis.

Dosage and administration for Clindamycin

Clindamycin is available generically in oral and parenteral forms and as gels, foam, lotion and creams for topical use. Oral formulations include capsules of 75, 150 and 300 mg that are available in generic forms and under the commercial name of Cleocin. Clindamycin is also available in suspension for pediatric use. The typical adult dose is 600 to 2700 mg im or iv daily (in two divided doses) or 150 to 450 mg orally every 6 hours for 5 to 14 days, depending upon the type and severity of infection.

Side effects of Clindamycin

Common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, headache and skin rash.

• Dailymed label info on Clindamycin
• FDA Clindamycin

Types of antibacterials