About clindamycin phosphate
Lincosamide antibiotic
Used for
- Serious bacterial infections caused by susceptible bacteria, including skin, bone, and abdominal infections.
- Some infections caused by anaerobic bacteria.
Usual adult dose
Usually 600–2,700 mg daily by intravenous or intramuscular injection, divided into doses; depends on infection severity.
Usual dose in children
Usually 10–40 mg/kg daily by intravenous injection, divided into doses; depends on infection severity.
Common side effects
- Diarrhea, nausea, or abdominal pain
- Injection-site pain or irritation
- Rash or itching
- Severe antibiotic-associated colitis
Important warnings
- Can cause severe, sometimes fatal, diarrhea and colitis during treatment or afterward.
- Use only for infections caused by susceptible bacteria; it does not treat viral infections.
- Intramuscular doses should not exceed 600 mg at one injection site.
- Intravenous doses must be diluted and infused; rapid administration can cause serious heart problems.
Pregnancy
May be used when clinically needed; available evidence has not shown a clear increase in major birth defects.
Breastfeeding
Clindamycin enters breast milk and may affect an infant’s gut; monitor for diarrhea, thrush, or blood in stools.
Interactions
- Neuromuscular-blocking medicines: may increase muscle-paralysis effects.
- Erythromycin: may reduce clindamycin’s antibacterial effect.
- Warfarin and related anticoagulants: may increase bleeding risk; monitoring may be needed.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.