Clinical Study Experience

Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.

The data described below reflect exposure to Clindesse (clindamycin phosphate) in 368 patients. Clindesse (clindamycin phosphate) was studied in three clinical studies: placebo-controlled (n=85), active-controlled (n=263), and single-arm (n=20). The population was female, aged 18 to 78, who were diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis. Patient demographics in the trials were 51% Caucasian, 36% Black, 10% Hispanic, and 3% Asian, other or unknown. All patients received 100 mg clindamycin phosphate cream intravaginally in a single dose.

Of the 368 women treated with a single dose of Clindesse (clindamycin phosphate) , 1.6% of the patients discontinued therapy due to adverse reactions. Adverse reactions occurred in 126 of 368 patients (34%) treated with Clindesse (clindamycin phosphate) and in 32 of 85 patients (38%) treated with placebo.

Adverse reactions occurring in ≥ 1% of patients receiving Clindesse (clindamycin phosphate) in the three clinical studies are shown in Table 1.

Table 1: Adverse Reactions Occurring in ≥ 1% of Clindesse (clindamycin phosphate) -Treated Patients and at a Higher Rate than Placebo-Treated Patients

Other reactions reported by < 1% of those women treated with Clindesse (clindamycin phosphate) include:

Dermatologic: Pruritic rash

Gastrointestinal: Diarrhea, vomiting

General: Fatigue

Immune System: Hypersensitivity

Nervous System: Dizziness

Reproductive System: Dysfunctional uterine bleeding, dysmennorrhea, intermenstrual bleeding, pelvic pain, vaginal burning, vaginal irritation, vulvar erythema<, vulvitis, vulvovaginal discomfort, vulvovaginal dryness, vulvovaginitis

Other Clindamycin Formulations

Clindesse (clindamycin phosphate) affords minimal peak serum levels and systemic exposure (AUCs) of clindamycin compared to an oral or intravenous dose of clindamycin [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY]. Data from well-controlled trials directly comparing clindamycin administered orally to clindamycin administered vaginally are not available.

The following additional adverse reactions and altered laboratory tests have been reported with the oral or parenteral use of clindamycin:

Gastrointestinal: Abdominal pain, esophagitis, nausea, Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]

Hematopoietic: Transient neutropenia (leukopenia), eosinophilia, agranulocytosis, and thrombocytopenia have been reported. No direct etiologic relationship to concurrent clindamycin therapy could be made in any of these reports.

Hypersensitivity Reactions: Maculopapular rash, vesiculobullous rash, and urticaria have been observed during drug therapy. Generalized mild to moderate morbilliform-like skin rashes are the most frequently reported of all adverse reactions. Cases of erythema multiforme, some resembling Stevens-Johnson syndrome, have been associated with clindamycin. A few cases of anaphylactoid reactions have been reported.

Liver: Jaundice and abnormalities in liver function tests have been observed during clindamycin therapy.

Musculoskeletal: Cases of polyarthritis have been reported.

Renal: Although no direct relationship of clindamycin to renal damage has been established, renal dysfunction as evidenced by azotemia, oliguria, and/or proteinuria has been observed in rare instances.

Postmarketing Experience

The following adverse reactions have been identified during postapproval use of Clindesse (clindamycin phosphate) . Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.

Dermatologic: Rash

Gastrointestinal: Hematochezia

Reproductive System: Vaginal erythema, vulvovaginal pruritis, vaginal discharge, vaginal swelling, vaginal bleeding, vaginal pain

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

No formal drug interaction studies have been conducted for Clindesse (clindamycin phosphate) .

Neuromuscular Blocking Agents

Orally or intravenously administered clindamycin has neuromuscular blocking properties that may enhance the action of other neuromuscular blocking agents. Therefore, it should be used with caution in patients receiving such agents.

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