Clindamycin phosphate, a lincosamide, is a water soluble ester of the semi-synthetic antibiotic produced by a 7(S)-chloro-substitution of the 7(R)-hydroxyl group of the parent antibiotic lincomycin. The chemical name for clindamycin phosphate is methyl 7-chloro- 6,7,8-trideoxy-6(1-methyl- trans-4-propyl-L-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamido)-1-thio-L- threo-(alpha)-D-galacto- octopyranoside 2-(dihydrogen phosphate). It has a molecular weight of 504.96, and the molecular formula is C₁₈H₃₄CIN₂O₈ PS. The structural formula is represented below:

Clindesse is a semi-solid, white cream, which contains clindamycin phosphate, USP, at a concentration equivalent to 20 mg clindamycin base per gram. The cream also contains edetate disodium, glycerol monoisostearate, lecithin, methylparaben, microcrystalline wax, mineral oil, polyglyceryl-3-oleate, propylparaben, purified water, silicon dioxide and sorbitol solution.

Clindesse (clindamycin phosphate) does not comply with the pH test of the USP monograph for clindamycin phosphate vaginal cream.

Last reviewed on RxList: 2/3/2011
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.