Brand Names: Cleocin HCl, Cleocin Pediatric

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

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

What is clindamycin (Cleocin)?

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

Clindamycin 150mg-TEV

red/turquoise, imprinted with 93 3171

Clindamycin 300 mg-GG

blue, imprinted with cor 154 cor 154

Clindamycin 300 mg-GRE

turquoise, imprinted with G 300 mg, 5010

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)?

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)?

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.