Clindamycin

CLEOCIN

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Pronunciation: klin-da-MYE-sin

Clindamycin ballicule: receptor binding, kinetics and half-life diagram — Mechanism of action: Clindamycin ballicule

Clindamycin CLEOCIN mascot mnemonic cartoon — Visual mnemonic: Clindamycin mascot
**“Clean the mice Cleopatra”**

What it isLincosamide that inhibits the bacterial 50S ribosome; anaerobic, dental, and skin infections.

Why this oneAnaerobic and gram-positive coverage plus toxin suppression makes it especially useful in necrotizing infection.

What limits itIt is the classic antibiotic trigger for C. difficile colitis; inducible staphylococcal resistance may require a D-test.

Clindamycin molecular structure (skeletal formula) — Molecular structure: Clindamycin

FDA-approved for

bacterial infections (~1970)

FDA label

Read the full label on DailyMed ↗

BOXED WARNING Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhea (may range to fatal colitis); reserve for serious infections where less toxic antimicrobials are inappropriate.

FDA dosing	Population	Target
Serious infections	Adult	150-300 mg q6h (QID)
More severe infections	Adult	300-450 mg q6h (QID)
Serious infections	Pediatric	8-16 mg/kg/day divided in 3-4 doses
More severe infections	Pediatric	16-20 mg/kg/day divided in 3-4 doses

Renal Undefined

Hepatic Undefined

Instructions

Take with a full glass of water (6-8 oz) and at least 30 min before lying down to reduce esophageal irritation
Discontinue if significant diarrhea occurs
Dose by total body weight regardless of obesity
Beta-hemolytic streptococcal infections: treat at least 10 days

Available strengths

cap 75, 150, 300 mg

Cautions

C. difficile-associated / pseudomembranous colitis (may be fatal)
Severe cutaneous adverse reactions (TEN, SJS-like, DRESS, AGEP)
Anaphylaxis and hypersensitivity reactions
Esophagitis and esophageal ulcer (take with water, remain upright)
Jaundice/abnormal liver function tests; acute kidney injury
Blood dyscrasias (neutropenia, agranulocytosis, thrombocytopenia)

Adverse reactions

Abdominal pain
Pseudomembranous colitis
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Morbilliform rash
Metallic taste

Pregnancy Systemic use in 2nd and 3rd trimesters not associated with increased congenital abnormalities; use in the first trimester only if clearly needed.

Lactation Undefined

Cost

Clindamycin (CLEOCIN)

What pharmacies pay · NADAC 9/30/26

Strength		#/mo	generic $/mo	CostPlus
75 mg	cap	120 QID	$31.04	offered
150 mg	cap	120 QID	$12.34	offered
300 mg	cap	120 QID	$20.95	offered

Generic entryPre-1982

⚠ BOXED WARNINGS

Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea
Severe and potentially fatal colitis

Principal riskClostridioides difficile colitis

Classes and tags

Clinical profile

Therapeutic safety burden1 / 4

Overdose danger1 / 4

Weight-gain liability0 / 4

Sedation liability0 / 4

QT / Torsades0 / 4

Direct muscarinic antagonism0 / 4

Embryofetal risk0 / 4

Legacy pregnancy categoryB

Defining liabilityAllergy, gastrointestinal effects and agent-specific renal, hepatic, hematologic or interaction risks.

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