CLINDAMYCIN

Clindamycin is used to treat certain types of bacterial infections, including infections of the
lungs, skin, blood, female reproductive organs, and internal organs. Clindamycin is in a
class of medications called lincomycin antibiotics. It works by slowing or stopping the
growth of bacteria.

Antibiotics such as clindamycin will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections. Using
antibiotics when they are not needed increases your risk of getting an infection later that
resists antibiotic treatment.

How should this medicine to be used?

Clindamycin comes as a capsule and a solution (liquid) to take by mouth. It is usually taken
three to four times a day. The length of your treatment depends on the type of infection you
have and how well you respond to the medication. Take clindamycin at around the same
times every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your
doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take clindamycin exactly
as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your
doctor.

Shake the liquid well before each use to mix the medication evenly.

Other uses for this medicine

Clindamycin is also sometimes used to treat acne and is used along with other medications
to treat anthrax (a serious infection that may be deliberately spread as part of a terror
attack) and malaria (a serious infection that is spread by mosquitoes in certain parts of the
world). Clindamycin is also sometimes used to treat ear infections, tonsillitis (infection that
causes swelling of the tonsils), pharyngitis (infection that causes swelling in the back of the
throat), and toxoplasmosis (an infection that may cause serious problems in people who do
not have healthy immune systems or in unborn babies whose mothers are infected) when
these conditions cannot be treated with other medications. Clindamycin is also sometimes
used to treat bacterial vaginosis (an infection caused from too much of certain bacteria in
the vagina). Clindamycin is also sometimes used to prevent endocarditis (infection of the
heart valves) in certain people who are at risk of developing this infection as a result of a
dental procedure. Talk to your doctor about the risks of using this medication for your
condition.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more
information.
 What special precautions should I do?

Before taking clindamycin,

 tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to clindamycin, lincomycin
(Lincocin), any other medications, or any of the ingredients in clindamycin capsules or
solution. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients. If you will be taking
clindamycin capsules, tell your doctor if you are allergic to aspirin or tartrazine (a
yellow dye found in some medications).

 tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications,
vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take.
Be sure to mention clarithromycin (Biaxin, in PrevPac), erythromycin (E.E.S, E-Mycin,
Erythrocin, others), indinavir (Crixivan), itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole
(Nizoral), nefazodone, nelfinavir (Viracept), rifampin (Rifadin, in Rifamate, in Rifater,
Rimactane), and ritonavir (Norvir, in Kaletra). Your doctor may need to change the
doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. Many other
medications may also interact with clindamycin, so be sure to tell your doctor about all
the medications you are taking, even those that do not appear on this list.

 tell your doctor if you have or have ever had asthma, allergies, eczema (sensitive skin
that often becomes itchy or irritated) or kidney or liver disease.

 tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If
you become pregnant while taking clindamycin, call your doctor.

 if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you
are taking clindamycin.

What special dietary instructions should I follow?

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

What side effects can this medication cause?

Clindamycin may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or
do not go away:
 nausea

 vomiting

 unpleasant or metallic taste in the mouth

 joint pain

 pain when swallowing

 heartburn

 white patches in the mouth

 thick, white vaginal discharge

 burning, itching, and swelling of the vagina

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms or those listed in
the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately or get emergency
medical treatment:
 peeling or blistering skin

 rash

 hives

 itching

 difficulty breathing or swallowing

 hoarseness

 swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs

 yellowing of the skin or eyes

 decreased urination

Clindamycin may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual
problems while taking this medication.

What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of
children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the
bathroom). Do not refrigerate clindamycin liquid because it may thicken and become hard
to pour. Dispose of any unused clindamycin liquid after 2 weeks.
It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers
(such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not
child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from
poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location –
one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach.

What other information should I know?

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain
lab tests to check your body's response to clindamycin.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Your prescription is probably not refillable. If
you still have symptoms of infection after you finish the clindamycin, call your doctor.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription
(over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins,
minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you
visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry
with you in case of emergencies.

Clinical Relevance

My patient that going to have surgery asked me if it is okay not to tell to her doctor that she
is taking clindamycin because she said that it’s not important at all, I answer that it is a
must to say it that to her doctor because clindamycin should not be used to prevent dental
implant related infections because the result into a worse outcome of infection.

Reflection

Overall my understanding about this drug is not just about knowing that it can treat
infections in our body especially in our skin but the on how we a patient should take it
carefully, I say carefully in a reason that I notice that this drug is really sensitive and need
to be really taken on it’s specific given time because as it says it can cause risk of the
patient in more infection, and as a student nurse the presence of mind is really needed when
you are handling patients taking this antibiotic drug.