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 other purposes not 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-TEV

blue/red, imprinted with TEVA, 3171

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 TEVA, 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;
• 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.

Read the Cleocin (clindamycin) Side Effects Center for a complete guide to possible side effects »

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.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.

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.

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.