Clindamycin
Clindamycin is a lincosamide antibiotic available in oral, injectable, topical and vaginal products. Route and formulation determine the use and are not interchangeable. Listed uses include dental abscess, severe skin and soft tissue infections and bacterial infections.
Key points
- Clindamycin has a notable association with antibiotic-associated colitis, which can begin during or after treatment.
- Topical acne products do not replace systemic treatment for a deep dental, skin or internal infection.
- Selection should account for the infection site, likely bacteria and resistance patterns.
Listings are for comparison only; suitability and supply depend on infection, route, prescription, clinician and pharmacy checks.
How it works
Clindamycin inhibits bacterial protein synthesis. It does not treat viral or fungal infection.
Important safety checks
Review previous antibiotic-associated colitis, bowel disease, liver or kidney impairment, neuromuscular conditions, pregnancy and other antibiotics. New diarrhoea should not be self-treated with anti-diarrhoeal medicine before assessment.
When to seek urgent care
Seek urgent help for severe or bloody diarrhoea, marked abdominal pain with fever, facial swelling, breathing difficulty, fainting or blistering skin.