Clindamycin is an antibiotic. It is used to treat serious bacterial infections.
This medicine may be used to treat other conditions as decided by your doctor.
Take Clindamycin exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
You may take this medicine with or without food. Try to take it at the same time each day.
Clindamycin is available as a capsule or as an oral solution.
If you have been given a capsule, swallow it whole with a full glass of water.
If you have been given an oral solution, shake the bottle well before taking it to ensure that the liquid is evenly mixed. Use the measuring spoon or cup provided to measure out your prescribed dose.
The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the treatment timeframe depending on the type and severity of your infection.
Clindamycin must be taken at a regular interval for it to be effective. Continue taking this medicine even when you feel better. Do not stop taking it unless instructed by the doctor.
Do not skip any doses. You must complete the entire course of the medicine. If you don’t, the infection will not be properly controlled.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
Alert your doctor if you ever had an allergic reaction (rashes, breathlessness, swollen eyes) to Clindamycin or any other similar antibiotics such as lincomycin.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- colitis (inflammation of the lining of the colon)
- severe liver disease
- allergic tendencies e.g. hay fever, asthma, eczema (patches of itchy red skin)
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving this medicine to a child or those who are debilitated (a person who is physically or mentally weak usually due to illness or old age). Children and debilitated people may be more sensitive to the side effects.
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly. You may need to have routine blood tests (e.g. complete blood count, liver and kidney function) while you are being treated with Clindamycin. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
Clindamycin may cause any of the following side effects: headache, nausea, changes in the sense of taste, swelling of the throat, diarrhoea, vomiting and stomach discomfort.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- severe, persistent or bloody diarrhoea accompanied by stomach pain or fever
- yellowing of the skin or eyes
- rashes, breathlessness, swollen face, eyes, tongue or throat
- rashes with peeling of the skin or blistering of the lips, mouth or eyes accompanied by fever
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- other antibiotics e.g. erythromycin, chloramphenicol, linezolid
- medicines to relax muscles during surgery e.g. atracurium, pancuronium, tubocurarine
- blood-thinning medicines e.g. warfarin, acenocoumarol, fluindione
- rifampicin (medicine to treat an infection known as tuberculosis)
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Clindamycin.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Reconstituted oral solution can be stored at room temperature not more than 25°C. Do not refrigerate. Throw away any unused portion after 14 days.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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