CLINDAMYCIN

Do not take this medication if you are allergic to clindamycin, lincomycin, or to any of the ingredients of the medication. Do not give this medication to infants under 1 month of age.

Clindamycin may cause a severe (rarely fatal) intestinal condition (Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea) due to a type of resistant bacteria. This condition may occur during treatment or weeks to months after treatment has stopped. Tell your doctor right away if you develop persistent diarrhea, abdominal or stomach pain/cramping, or blood/mucus in your stool. Do not use anti-diarrhea products or narcotic pain medications if you have any of these symptoms because these products may make them worse.

Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: heartburn, joint pain/swelling, yellowing eyes/skin, dark urine.

Use of this medication for prolonged or repeated periods may result in oral thrush or a new vaginal yeast infection. Contact your doctor if you notice white patches in your mouth, a change in vaginal discharge, or other new symptoms.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: fever that doesn’t go away, new or worsening lymph node swelling, rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Precautions

Before taking clindamycin, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to lincomycin; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: liver disease, kidney disease, stomach/intestinal diseases (e.g., colitis, Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea), allergic conditions (e.g., asthma, hay fever, eczema).

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are using this medication (unless your doctor/dentist has directed you to take this drug before surgery as a precaution).

Older adults may be more sensitive to the effects of this drug, especially persistent diarrhea.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant before using this medication.

This medication passes into breast milk. Though there have been no reports of harm to nursing infants, consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Interactions

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor’s approval.

Some products that may interact with this drug include: macrolide antibiotics (e.g., clarithromycin, erythromycin), kaolin-pectin, vaccines that contain live bacteria (e.g., typhoid, BCG).

Although most antibiotics are unlikely to affect hormonal birth control such as pills, patch, or ring, a few antibiotics (such as rifampin, rifabutin) can decrease their effectiveness. This could result in pregnancy. If you use hormonal birth control, ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

If overdose is suspected, bring the patient to the nearest hospital.

Available brands:

• Dalacin C (Pfizer)
• Pharex Clindamycin (Pascual Lab)
• RiteMED Clindamycin (RiteMED)