Clindamycin Side Effects

Brand Names: Cleocin Pediatric, Cleocin Phosphate

Please note - some side effects for Clindamycin may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/ or 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088).

Side Effects of Clindamycin - for the consumer

Clindamycin

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Clindamycin:

Mild diarrhea; nausea; vomiting.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); bloody or tarry stools; decreased urination; joint pain or swelling; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; severe or persistent diarrhea; severe stomach cramps or pain; unusual vaginal discharge, itching, or odor; yellowing of the skin or eyes.

Clindamycin/Tretinoin

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Clindamycin/Tretinoin:

Dry skin; mild burning, itching, peeling, redness, scaling, or stinging of the skin; temporary change in skin color.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); blistered, crusted, or swollen skin; bloody, severe, or persistent diarrhea; mucus in stools; severe or persistent burning, itching, peeling, redness, or scaling of the skin; stomach cramps or pain.

Clindamycin Cream

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Clindamycin Cream:

Fungal infection; genital itching or burning; inflammation or pain; vaginal discharge.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); blood or mucus in stools; diarrhea; new or worsening vaginal or vulvar itching; painful sex; stomach cramps or pain; white vaginal discharge.

Clindamycin Foam

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Clindamycin Foam:

Burning sensation on treated areas; dry or itchy skin; headache.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); blood or mucus in stools; severe or persistent diarrhea; stomach cramps or pain; swelling, redness, burning, or peeling of your skin.

Clindamycin Gel

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Clindamycin Gel:

Dryness; itching; oiliness or oily skin.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); blood or mucus in stools; bloody or severe diarrhea; stomach cramps or pain; swelling, redness, burning, or peeling of your skin.

Clindamycin/Benzoyl Peroxide Gel

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Clindamycin/Benzoyl Peroxide Gel:

Mild burning, dryness, itching, peeling, redness, or stinging of the skin.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); bloody stools; severe burning, dryness, itching, peeling, redness, stinging, or swelling of the skin; severe or persistent watery diarrhea; stomach cramps or pain.

Clindamycin Lotion

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Clindamycin Lotion:

Dryness; itching; oiliness.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); blood or mucus in stools; diarrhea; stomach cramps or pain; swelling, redness, burning, or peeling of your skin.

Clindamycin Solution

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Clindamycin Solution:

Mild diarrhea; mild pain, swelling, or redness at the injection site; nausea; vomiting.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); bloody or tarry stools; chest pain; decreased urination; dizziness; joint pain or swelling; fainting; numbness of an arm or leg; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; severe or persistent diarrhea; severe nausea or vomiting; severe or persistent pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site; severe stomach pain or cramps; unusual vaginal discharge, itching, or odor; yellowing of the skin or eyes.

Clindamycin Suppositories

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Clindamycin Suppositories:

Genital itching or burning; irritation not present before use of Clindamycin Suppositories; vaginal pain.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); blood/mucus in stools; diarrhea; new or worsening vaginal or vulvar itching; painful sex; severe stomach cramps; white vaginal discharge.

Clindamycin Suspension

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Clindamycin Suspension:

Mild diarrhea; nausea; vomiting.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); bloody or tarry stools; decreased urination; joint pain or swelling; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; severe or persistent diarrhea; severe stomach cramps or pain; unusual vaginal discharge, itching, or odor; yellowing of the skin or eyes.

Clindamycin Swab

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Clindamycin Swab:

Dry skin; mild stinging after applying.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); blood or mucus in stools; diarrhea; stomach pain; swelling, redness, burning, or peeling of the skin.

For the professional

Clindamycin

The following reactions have been reported with the use of Clindamycin.

Gastrointestinal

Abdominal pain, pseudomembranous colitis, esophagitis, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. The onset of pseudomembranous colitis symptoms may occur during or after antibacterial treatment.

Hypersensitivity Reactions

Generalized mild to moderate morbilliform-like (maculopapular) skin rashes are the most frequently reported adverse reactions. Vesiculobullous rashes, as well as urticaria, have been observed during drug therapy. Rare instances of erythema multiforme, some resembling Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and a few cases of anaphylactoid reactions have also been reported.

Skin and Mucous Membranes

Pruritus, vaginitis, and rare instances of exfoliative dermatitis have been reported.

Liver

Jaundice and abnormalities in liver function tests have been observed during Clindamycin therapy.

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.

Hematopoietic

Transient neutropenia (leukopenia) and eosinophilia have been reported. Reports of agranulocytosis and thrombocytopenia have been made. No direct etiologic relationship to concurrent Clindamycin therapy could be made in any of the foregoing.

Musculoskeletal

Rare instances of polyarthritis have been reported.

Clindamycin Capsules

The following reactions have been reported with the use of Clindamycin.

Gastrointestinal: Abdominal pain, pseudomembranous colitis, esophagitis, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. The onset of pseudomembranous colitis symptoms may occur during or after antibacterial treatment.

Hypersensitivity Reactions: Generalized mild to moderate morbilliform-like (maculopapular) skin rashes are the most frequently reported adverse reactions. Vesiculobullous rashes, as well as urticaria, have been observed during drug therapy. Rare instances of erythema multiforme, some resembling Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and a few cases of anaphylactoid reactions have also been reported.

Skin and Mucous Membranes: Pruritus, vaginitis, and rare instances of exfoliative dermatitis have been reported.

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

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.

Hematopoietic: Transient neutropenia (leukopenia) and eosinophilia have been reported. Reports of agranulocytosis and thrombocytopenia have been made. No direct etiologic relationship to concurrent Clindamycin therapy could be made in any of the foregoing.

Musculoskeletal: Rare instances of polyarthritis have been reported.

Clindamycin Capsules USP

The following reactions have been reported with the use of Clindamycin.

Gastrointestinal: Abdominal pain, pseudomembranous colitis, esophagitis, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. The onset of pseudomembranous colitis symptoms may occur during or after antibacterial treatment.

Hypersensitivity Reactions: Generalized mild to moderate morbilliform-like (maculopapular) skin rashes are the most frequently reported adverse reactions. Vesiculobullous rashes, as well as urticaria, have been observed during drug therapy. Rare instances of erythema multiforme, some resembling Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and a few cases of anaphylactoid reactions have also been reported.

Skin and Mucous Membranes: Pruritus, vaginitis, and rare instances of exfoliative dermatitis have been reported.

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

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.

Hematopoietic: Transient neutropenia (leukopenia) and eosinophilia have been reported. Reports of agranulocytosis and thrombocytopenia have been made. No direct etiologic relationship to concurrent Clindamycin therapy could be made in any of the foregoing.

Musculoskeletal: Rare instances of polyarthritis have been reported.

Clindamycin Injection

The following reactions have been reported with the use of Clindamycin.

Gastrointestinal: Antibiotic-associated colitis, pseudomembranous colitis abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. The onset of pseudomembranous colitis symptoms may occur during or after antibacterial treatment. An unpleasant or metallic taste occasionally has been reported after intravenous administration of the higher doses of Clindamycin phosphate.

Hypersensitivity Reactions: Maculopapular 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. Rare instances of erythema multiforme, some resembling Stevens-Johnson syndrome, have been associated with Clindamycin. A few cases of anaphylactoid reactions have been reported. If a hypersensitivity reaction occurs, the drug should be discontinued. The usual agents (epinephrine, corticosteroids, antihistamines) should be available for emergency treatment of serious reactions.

Skin and Mucous Membranes: Pruritus, vaginitis, and rare instances of exfoliative dermatitis have been reported..

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

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.

Hematopoietic: Transient neutropenia (leukopenia) and eosinophilia have been reported. Reports of agranulocytosis and thrombocytopenia have been made. No direct etiologic relationship to concurrent Clindamycin therapy could be made in any of the foregoing.

Local Reactions: Pain, induration and sterile abscess have been reported after intramuscular injection and thrombophlebitis after intravenous infusion. Reactions can be minimized or avoided by giving deep intramuscular injections and avoiding prolonged use of indwelling intravenous catheters.

Musculoskeletal: Rare instances of polyarthritis have been reported.

Cardiovascular: Rare instances of cardiopulmonary arrest and hypotension have been reported following too rapid intravenous administration..

Clindamycin Injection USP

The following reactions have been reported with the use of Clindamycin.

Gastrointestinal: Antibiotic-associated colitis, pseudomembranous colitis abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. The onset of pseudomembranous colitis symptoms may occur during or after antibacterial treatment. An unpleasant or metallic taste occasionally has been reported after intravenous administration of the higher doses of Clindamycin phosphate.

Hypersensitivity Reactions: Maculopapular 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. Rare instances of erythema multiforme, some resembling Stevens-Johnson syndrome, have been associated with Clindamycin. A few cases of anaphylactoid reactions have been reported.

If a hypersensitivity reaction occurs, the drug should be discontinued. The usual agents (epinephrine, corticosteroids, antihistamines) should be available for emergency treatment of serious reactions.

Skin and Mucous Membranes: Pruritus, vaginitis, and rare instances of exfoliative dermatitis have been reported.

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

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.

Hematopoietic: Transient neutropenia (leukopenia) and eosinophilia have been reported. Reports of agranulocytosis and thrombocytopenia have been made. No direct etiologic relationship to concurrent Clindamycin therapy could be made in any of the foregoing.

Local Reactions: Pain, induration and sterile abscess have been reported after intramuscular injection and thrombophlebitis after intravenous infusion. Reactions can be minimized or avoided by giving deep intramuscular injections and avoiding prolonged use of indwelling intravenous catheters.

Musculoskeletal: Rare instances of polyarthritis have been reported.

Cardiovascular: Rare instances of cardiopulmonary arrest and hypotension have been reported following too rapid intravenous administration.

Clindamycin Pledget

In 18 clinical studies of various topical Clindamycin formulations of Clindamycin phosphate using placebo vehicle and/or active comparator drugs as controls, patients experienced a number of treatment emergent adverse dermatologic events [see table below].

Orally and parenterally administered Clindamycin has been associated with severe colitis which may end fatally.

Cases of diarrhea, bloody diarrhea and colitis (including pseudomembranous colitis) have been reported as adverse reactions in patients treated with oral and parenteral formulations of Clindamycin and rarely with topical Clindamycin.

Abdominal pain and gastrointestinal disturbances as well as gram-negative folliculitis have also been reported in association with the use of topical formulations of Clindamycin.

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