Clindamycin for Infections
- Clindamycin is used to treat only bacterial infections. Because of the potential for severe side effects doctors tend to prescribe it only in certain, specific situations, where the course of the infection has warranted the risk of having to use it. Common reasons doctors have for prescribing Clindamycin are because of antibiotic resistant infections, lung disease, pneumonia, sinus, ear and skin infections, life-threatening diseases and penicillin allergies.
- Clindamycin is never used for viral infections. There have been no known cases of Clindamycin having any positive results on any sort of viral infection. If Clindamycin is used on a non-susceptible organism it can cause "super-infection," a fungal or bacterial overgrowth that causes the pre-existing infection to become worse. Common infections that should NOT be treated with Clindamycin are the common cold, influenza, meningitis and other viral infections normally located in the respiratory tract.
- There have been a number of side effects associated with the use of Clindamycin. A number of these side effects should be reported to your doctor immediately. Side effects that should be reported to your doctor immediately are dark urine, watery or bloody diarrhea, allergic reactions such as skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the lips, mouth or tongue, pain when swallowing, unusual bleeding or bruising anywhere on the body, unusual fatigue or tiredness, redness, blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, including inside of the mouth, yellowing of the eyes or skin and severe heartburn.
The other, less serious, side effects should be reported to your doctor if they persist. Side effects that are less serious, and do not require immediate medical attention are mild diarrhea or loose stool, itching in the genital or rectal area, joint pains and aches, nausea, vomiting, stomach pains, constipation, hard stool or a metallic taste when administered via IV. - There are many different brands of prescription medications that contain Clindamycin.
A comprehensive list of prescriptions containing Clindamycin are Cleocin, Cleocin Pediatric, Cleocin Phosphate (IV), Cleocin T (topical), Clindagel, Clindamax, Clindareach, Clindesse, Clindets, Clindasol, Clinda T, Dalacin C, Dalacin C Phosphate Sterile Solution, Dalacin T Topical Solution, Dalacin C Vaginal Cream and Evoclin. - Veterinarians have noticed that Clindamycin is non-effective against infections caused by parasites, however it is effective in treating feline and canine bacterial infections of the skin, bone, dental and oral varieties. The following is a list of veterinary prescriptions containing Clindamycin: Antirobe, Antirobe Aquadrops and Cleocin.