Clindamycin is used for:

Treating serious infections caused by certain bacteria. It is not used to treat meningitis.

Clindamycin is a lincomycin antibiotic. Clindamycin kills sensitive bacteria by stopping the production of essential proteins needed by the bacteria to survive.

Do NOT use Clindamycin if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Clindamycin or to lincomycin
• you have antibiotic-associated colitis, Crohn disease, ulcerative colitis, or meningitis

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Clindamycin :

Some medical conditions may interact with Clindamycin. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have diarrhea, a gastrointestinal (bowel) disease, liver disease, or are allergic to tartrazine

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Clindamycin. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Nondepolarizing muscle relaxants (eg, vecuronium) or succinylcholine because the actions and side effects of these medicines may be increased
• Erythromycin because the effectiveness of Clindamycin may be decreased

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Clindamycin may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Clindamycin :

Use Clindamycin as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Clindamycin may be taken with or without food.
• Clindamycin should be taken with a full glass of water (8 oz/240 mL).
• Clindamycin works best if it is taken at the same time each day.
• To clear up your infection completely, continue using Clindamycin for the full course of treatment even if you feel better in a few days.
• If you miss a dose of Clindamycin , take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Clindamycin.

Important safety information:

• If severe diarrhea, stomach pain/cramps, or bloody stools occur, contact your doctor at once. This could be a symptom of a serious side effect requiring immediate medical attention. Do not treat diarrhea without consulting with your doctor.
• Clindamycin is effective only against bacteria. It is not effective for treating viral infections (eg, the common cold).
• It is important to use Clindamycin for the full course of treatment. Failure to do so may decrease the effectiveness of this treatment and may increase the risk that the bacteria will no longer be sensitive to Clindamycin and will not be able to be treated by this or certain other antibiotics in the future.
• Long-term or repeated use of Clindamycin may cause a second infection. You may need to start another medication to treat the second infection. Contact your doctor if you suspect a second infection.
• Some of these products contain the dye tartrazine (FD&C Yellow No. 5), which can cause allergic reactions in certain patients. If you have previously had allergic reactions to the dye tartrazine, contact your pharmacist to determine if the product you are taking contains the dye tartrazine.
• LAB TESTS, such as liver function, kidney function, or complete blood counts, may be performed to monitor progress. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Use Clindamycin with caution in the ELDERLY because they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially diarrhea. Monitor carefully for changes in bowel frequency.
• When Clindamycin is administered to CHILDREN (birth to 16 years) appropriate monitoring of organ system functions is recommended.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you plan on becoming pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Clindamycin during pregnancy. Clindamycin is excreted in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you are using Clindamycin , check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Clindamycin :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Infrequent urination; mild diarrhea; nausea; vomiting.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); severe or continuing diarrhea; severe stomach cramps/pain; stools/diarrhea with mucus or blood; yellowing of skin or eyes.