Brand Names: Cleocin HCl, Cleocin Pediatric

Generic Name: clindamycin (Pronunciation: klin da MYE sin)

• What is clindamycin (Cleocin HCl, Cleocin Pediatric)?
• What are the possible side effects of clindamycin (Cleocin HCl, Cleocin Pediatric)?
• What is the most important information I should know about clindamycin (Cleocin HCl, Cleocin Pediatric)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking clindamycin (Cleocin HCl, Cleocin Pediatric)?
• How should I take clindamycin (Cleocin HCl, Cleocin Pediatric)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Cleocin HCl, Cleocin Pediatric)?
• What happens if I overdose (Cleocin HCl, Cleocin Pediatric)?
• What should I avoid while taking clindamycin (Cleocin HCl, Cleocin Pediatric)?
• What other drugs will affect clindamycin (Cleocin HCl, Cleocin Pediatric)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is clindamycin (Cleocin HCl, Cleocin Pediatric)?

Clindamycin is an antibiotic that fights bacteria in the body.

Clindamycin is used to treat serious infections caused by bacteria.

Clindamycin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Cleocin 150 mg

green/turquoise, imprinted with CLEOCIN 150MG

Cleocin 300 mg

turquoise, imprinted with CLEOCIN 300 mg

Clindamycin 150 mg-GG

blue, imprinted with cor 153 cor 153

Clindamycin 150 mg-GRE

green/turquoise, imprinted with G 150 mg, 3328

Clindamycin 150 mg-WAT

gray/pink, imprinted with DAN 5708 , DAN 5708

Clindamycin 150mg-TEV

red/turquoise, imprinted with 93 3171

Clindamycin 300 mg-GG

blue, imprinted with cor 154 cor 154

Clindamycin 300 mg-RAN

blue, imprinted with RX693 RX693

Clindamycin 300 mg-TEV

blue, imprinted with 93 5256

Clindamycin 300 mg-WAT

pink, imprinted with DAN 3120

What are the possible side effects of clindamycin (Cleocin HCl, Cleocin Pediatric)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using clindamycin and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• diarrhea that is watery or bloody;
• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
• nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• urinating less than usual or not at all; or
• fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash.

Keep taking clindamycin and talk to your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects:

• mild nausea or stomach pain;
• vaginal itching or discharge;
• mild skin rash or itching; or
• irritation in your throat.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about clindamycin (Cleocin HCl, Cleocin Pediatric)?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to clindamycin or lincomycin (Bactramycin, L-Mycin, Lincocin)

Do not take clindamycin together with erythromycin (E-Mycin, E.E.S., Eryc, Ery-Tab, Robimycin, and others).

Before using clindamycin, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver disease, an intestinal disorder such as colitis or Crohn's disease, or a history of asthma, eczema, or allergic skin reaction.

Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Clindamycin will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.

To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your kidney or liver function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using clindamycin. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking clindamycin (Cleocin HCl, Cleocin Pediatric)?

Do not use this medication if you are:

• allergic to clindamycin or lincomycin (Bactramycin, L-Mycin, Lincocin); or
• if you are also taking erythromycin (E-Mycin, E.E.S., Eryc, Ery-Tab, Robimycin, and others).

Before using clindamycin, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• colitis, Crohn's disease, or other intestinal disorder;
• kidney disease;
• liver disease; or
• a history of asthma, eczema, or allergic skin reaction.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use clindamycin, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

Clindamycin can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take clindamycin (Cleocin HCl, Cleocin Pediatric)?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Take this medicine with a full glass of water to keep it from irritating your throat.

Shake the oral suspension (liquid) well just before you measure a dose. To be sure you get the correct dose, measure the liquid with a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. clindamycin will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your kidney or liver function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using clindamycin. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.

Store clindamycin at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose (Cleocin HCl, Cleocin Pediatric)?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose (Cleocin HCl, Cleocin Pediatric)?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Symptoms of a clindamycin overdose may include depression, changes in behavior, or seizure (convulsions).

What should I avoid while taking clindamycin (Cleocin HCl, Cleocin Pediatric)?

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.

What other drugs will affect clindamycin (Cleocin HCl, Cleocin Pediatric)?

There may be other drugs that can affect clindamycin. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist has information about clindamycin written for health professionals that you may read.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children. Never share your medicines with others and only use this medicine for the illness your doctor prescribed it for.

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Last Updated: April 12, 2009