Links to other pages within Patient UK which are related to this topic:
Experience | Medicines | News | Products | Other

Print options:

Other options:

Clindamycin (oral / injection)

Post your experience
See others (1 there)

Clindamycin is an antibiotic used to treat infections caused by bacteria.
Swallow clindamycin capsules whole (not crushed or chewed), with plenty of water.
Even if your condition has improved it is important to complete the prescribed course of clindamycin.
Oral contraceptives may be less effective while you are taking clindamycin and unplanned pregnancies are possible.
The most common side effects are itching, skin rashes and being or feeling sick. If you suffer from diarrhoea during treatment with clindamycin, it is best to inform your doctor straight away.

About clindamycin (oral / injection)

Type of medicine	Antibiotic
Used for	Infections such as those in bones and joints.
Also called	Dalacin C
Available as	Capsules and injection

Clindamycin works by killing a wide range of bacteria that can cause infection.

Before taking clindamycin (oral / injection)

Before taking clindamycin (oral / injection) make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:

If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.
If you suffer from liver or kidney problems
If you suffer from any bowel problems which regularly cause diarrhoea
If you suffer from porphyria (a blood disorder)

How to take clindamycin (oral / injection)

Take this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor.
Swallow clindamycin capsules whole (not crushed or chewed), with plenty of water.
Try to take this medicine at regular intervals, as directed by your doctor, to keep a steady level of clindamycin in your body.
Try not to miss any doses. If you do miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is nearly time for your next dose, in which case leave out the missed dose. Never take two doses at the same time to compensate.

Getting the most from your treatment

Even if your condition has improved it is important to complete the prescribed course of clindamycin. If you stop taking this medicine too soon your infection is likely to return and could be more difficult to treat.
Some people develop thrush after taking a course of antibiotics. If you think you have thrush speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
Important: Oral contraceptives may be less effective while you are taking clindamycin and unplanned pregnancies are possible. In addition to taking the contraceptive pill, use a barrier method of contraception (e.g. condoms) while you are taking clindamycin and for at least seven days after your course of clindamycin has finished. If these seven days run into a 'pill-free' week, start taking the next packet of contraceptives without leaving a break. If you are taking the type of contraceptive pill that is taken every day or if you need any further advice, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.

Can clindamycin (oral / injection) cause problems

Along with their useful effects all medicines can cause unwanted side effects, which usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side effects continue or become troublesome.

Common side-effects	What can I do if I experience this
Tummy discomfort	This may improve after a few days of treatment.
Nausea (feeling sick) and vomiting (being sick)	Drink plenty of liquid. Stick to simple foods such as dry toast. If vomiting continues to be a problem speak to your doctor.
Skin rashes or itching	If this prevents you from taking your medicine speak with your doctor or pharmacist.

Important: If you experience diarrhoea, stop taking clindamycin and contact your doctor immediately.
If you experience a skin rash, itching, fever (high temperature), jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes), joint pains, swelling of the tongue, throat or face, stop taking clindamycin and contact your doctor immediately.

How to store clindamycin (oral / injection)

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.

Important information about all medicines

Keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children.
Make sure that the person prescribing this medicine knows about any other medicines that you are taking. This includes medicines you buy and herbal and homeopathic medicines.
If you buy any medicines check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take with your other medicines.
Before taking this medicine tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction after taking any medicine.
Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you or someone else has taken an overdose of this medicine go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital at once. Always take the container with you, if possible, even if it is empty.
If you are having any treatment like an operation or dental treatment tell the person carrying out the treatment which medicines you are taking.
Always read the printed information leaflet that comes with your medicine.
This medicine is for you. Never give it to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.
Never keep out of date or unwanted medicines. Take them to your local pharmacy which will dispose of them for you.
If you have any questions about this medicine ask your pharmacist.

Comprehensive patient resources are available at www.patient.co.uk

DocID: 3615

DocRef: dils3176

Last Reviewed: 1 Mar 2007

Version: 23

The authors and editors of this article are employed to create accurate and up to date content reflecting reliable research evidence, guidance and best clinical practice. They are free from any commercial conflicts of interest. Find out more about updating.

Patient UK Hearing Impairment Survey

Patient UK are grateful to the 550 people who took part in this survey.
To see the results click here.
If you'd like to leave your feedback, please go to our interactive forum.

Links to other pages within Patient UK which are related to this topic:
Experience | Medicines | News | Products | Other

Print options:

Other options:

Advert

Want to search some more? Use the Google Search box below to search our site.

Related pages in Patient UK

Your Experience (^ top of page)

Please add your experience about this condition / medicine

View Patient Experience for 'Clindamycin' (1 there)

Medicine & Drug information leaflets related to this topic (^ top of page)

Clindamycin (lotion / solution)

Clindamycin cream

Patient UK Newspaper (^ top of page)

Latest Health News

View current health news

Other - Useful resources (^ top of page)

Pictures, diagrams, photos, images, etc.
Evidence based medicine
Online textbooks and journals
UK Guidelines
Online Videos
Medline
Other good health sites

Want to search some more? Use the Google Search box below to search our site.

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Information Leaflets which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Support Groups which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Medicines & Drugs which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of diagrams which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of PatientPlus (detailed reference) articles which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of UK Guidelines which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of other selected websites which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Poems and Stories which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Operations and Procedures which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Online Videos which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find links through to our interactive forum.
Here you can follow a link to view existing patient experiences on this subject, or to add your own

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find links to news stories on this subject in our Online Newspaper

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find links to related products

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find links to other useful sources of information

Click here to open a printer-friendly version of this document, in a new window, together with the print dialogue box

Click here to open this document in PDF format
This will offer you the usual PDF options i.e. document navigation, search, zoom and formatted print
Note: this is the best way to print the document

Click here to listen to the MP3 audio recording of this document

Click here to download the audio recording of this document as a podcast, for listening to at your leisure

Click here to open our Dictionaries and Glossaries page

Click here to see related products in our Online Pharmacy
Note: this will open in a new window

Click here to add this page to a social bookmarking site of your choice

Click here if you want to find out more about social bookmarking. This link will take you to the Wikipedia explanation
Note: this will open in a new window