clindamycin
| Pronunciation: | klin da MYE sin |
| Brand: | Cleocin HCl, Cleocin Pediatric |
What is the most important information I should know about clindamycin? Back to top
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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.E.S., EryPed, Ery-Tab, Erythrocin, 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.
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Take this medication for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely cleared. 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 bloody, stop taking clindamycin and call your doctor. Do not use anti-diarrhea medicine unless your doctor tells you to.
To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood may need to be tested often. Your kidney or liver function may also need to be tested. Visit your doctor regularly.
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If you need 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? Back to top
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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.E.S., EryPed, Ery-Tab, Erythrocin, and others).
If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a clindamycin dose adjustment or special tests:
- colitis, Crohn's disease, or other intestinal disorder;
- kidney disease;
- liver disease; or
- a history of asthma, eczema, or allergic skin reaction.
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.
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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? Back to top
Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
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Take this medicine with a full glass of water to keep it from irritating your throat. |
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Shake the oral suspension (liquid) well just before you measure a dose. Measure the liquid with a special dose-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. |
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Take this medication for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely cleared. 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 may need to be tested often. Your kidney or liver function may also need to be tested. Visit your doctor regularly.
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If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using clindamycin. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time. |
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Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not store clindamycin liquid in the refrigerator. |
What happens if I overdose? Back to top
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Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. |
What are the possible side effects of clindamycin? Back to top
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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. |
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Stop using clindamycin and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects: |
- diarrhea that is watery or bloody;
- jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
- urinating less than usual or not at all;
- fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms, sores in your mouth and throat;
- skin rash with severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness;
- easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin; or
- fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash.
Less serious side effects may include:
- change in bowel habits (especially in older adults);
- mild nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain;
- joint pain;
- vaginal itching or discharge;
- mild rash or itching; or
- irritation in your throat.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
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