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Clindamycin User Reviews & Ratings (Page 5)

Brand names: Cleocin, Cleocin Phosphate, Cleocin Pediatric, Cleocin HCl, Cleocin Phosphate ADD-Vantage

Clindamycin has an average rating of 5.7 out of 10 from a total of 808 reviews on Drugs.com. 43% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 35% reported a negative experience.

Reviews for Clindamycin

Commonly mentioned side effects
  • Anonymous
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • March 29, 2019

For Bacterial Vaginosis "Clindamycin is the best antibiotic I've tried for BV when taken in conjunction with probiotics. Curing BV requires obtaining the correct balance of good and bad bacteria down there. Antibiotics kill both, so it is essential to replace that good bacteria. Research the correct way to take probiotics and get a good quality brand. I spent almost 5 years trying to cure BV. It would go away and then come right back. Probiotics have been the answer for me. I take them every day, and I double up when taking antibiotics for anything."

9 / 10
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  • Lin...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • January 2, 2013

For Bacterial Infection "I was just prescribed this medication yesterday and started to take it today. I have a very nasty urinary tract infection, including bacterial vaginosis. I am very anxious when it comes to taking these kinds of medications, for I haven't taken them before. After a day to decide to take it, I manned up and took it. No side effects, and it works like a charm! One hour later, I felt so much better. I didn't feel like I had to constantly go to the bathroom, and no pressure on my bladder, I was so relieved. I would recommend anyone who suffers from UTI and bacterial vaginosis to give this a try."

10 / 10
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  • bra...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • June 29, 2023

For Bacterial Infection "I was actually prescribed this drug to prevent infection following multiple tooth extractions, rather than treat an existing infection. It worked fine for that purpose, but it flat out destroyed my gut microbiota. Many months later, I still have symptoms of the supposedly transitory Inflammatory Bowel Disease that can be a Clindamycin side effect. Please note that if you are on Miralax (polyethylene glycol) for constipation or some other condition, you should stop before taking Clindamycin. Studies have shown it greatly increases the time for the "bad" microorganisms, such as dificul (which Clindamycin allows to flourish), from your gut after treatment. Four times longer! The cramping and constipation from Clindamycin had me in a fetal position from pain for many days. So if you have a delicate stomach, pre-existing gut disorder, chronic constipation, or rectal prolapse, you should probably ask your doctor for an alternative medication that might be gentler on the gut."

1 / 10
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Frequently asked questions

  • Roc...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • October 25, 2014

For Bacterial Infection "I'm allergic to penicillin, and clindamycin has been a blessing over the years for serious infections after other non-penicillin antibiotics have failed. In 2007, for a severe dental infection, and now for a strep infection in my leg. The doctors do not want to use this 'first' because it is so strong. A little bit of a funky taste, drowsiness, but overall I tolerate it OK."

10 / 10
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  • Sou...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • July 21, 2018

For Bacterial Infection "After having a toothache all day, I noticed some swelling. Knowing it was an abscess, I went to the dentist. He prescribed me Cipro. After taking Cipro for 2 days, the whole left side of my face was swollen, I was in agonizing pain, and my BP was crazy high (due to pain). Eventually, I went to the ER. The ER doctor prescribed me clindamycin and gave me a dose right there. Before I was even fully discharged, I could feel the infection draining. I was finally able to get some sleep (thanks to the pain pills they gave me) and woke up 2 hours later with significantly less swelling. This is my 4th day, and the infection is almost all the way gone. I haven't had to take the prescription pain meds for 2 days now and can easily control the pain with OTC pain meds. It may not be for everyone, but for me, this medicine has been a Godsend. I've experienced little to no side effects."

10 / 10
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  • Dia...
  • November 25, 2014

For Bacterial Infection "I didn't want to take an antibiotic at all after my tooth was pulled. A couple of days later, I realized that I needed to. I started taking it. Gum looks better. I am on the 4th day of it. I don't have any side effects listed on this site. But mine are different. I am a woman, and I would suggest a lot of yogurt. I have some mucus developed anytime I go to the bathroom and in my nose as well. It's yellow in color and not green. Feels like a cold. But when I wake up in the morning, it feels better when I am not taking it. Plenty of water and yogurt for women. MAKE SURE YOU TAKE IT WITH FOOD AND YOGURT. DON'T FORGET TO TAKE PROBIOTIC AFTER."

6 / 10
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  • J D...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • December 17, 2024

For Bacterial Infection "I have been prescribed pretty much every kind of antibiotic because I was dealing with an infection for a while, therefore my body built up a resistance to certain ones, such as Cephalexin, from being prescribed it and taking it for certain infections, so it doesn't work that well for me anymore. So I was prescribed clindamycin, and I know everyone and their bodies are different, but for me, clindamycin works wonders for any type of infection I get. In my opinion, it's one of the best antibiotics you can get for infections. Just be sure to drink plenty of water with it."

10 / 10
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More FAQ

  • Rik...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • March 2, 2015

For Bone infection "After what was supposed to be a filling turned into a molar extraction, I ended up with dry socket. Around day 5 after the extraction, I also ended up with osteomyelitis starting in the same area as the extraction. I was then prescribed clindamycin, as the infection was getting worse and the pain was excruciating from my jawbone to my ear and in the dry socket. After 2 days of being on it, I could start feeling a difference. By the time I finished the prescription, there were no ill effects and minimal permanent damage to my jaw."

9 / 10
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  • Sco...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 13, 2019

For Bacterial Infection "I had to go to an urgent care for a rash I had, and I had told the doctor that I’m allergic to penicillin. He said clindamycin is not really a penicillin. This is the worst drug! I had to stop taking it after 4 days because I broke out in hives and had chest pain. It made my rash worse than what I started with! I do take probiotics daily anyway, but that didn’t even help! I also have gastro problems, so my stomach felt on fire! I’m praying I don’t get a c-diff infection because I’m a cancer survivor with an already bad immune system! A c-diff infection will totally be very bad for me. Doctors have to really listen to what their patients are telling them!"

1 / 10
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  • mst...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • November 20, 2019

For Bacterial Infection "I took clindamycin 300 mg for 7 days. It took almost 5 days to clear up my intestinal bacteria issue. On day 6, I really felt better. It aggravated my acid reflux, but I also take omeprazole, and that helped a little. The bad taste in my mouth was awful, but still worth taking because I feel much better now."

10 / 10
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  • Lou...
  • September 6, 2015

For Bacterial Infection "I don't care what side effects this medication gives me, it's the best thing ever. I'd take these side effects over tooth abscess pain any day! Let clindamycin knock me out, send me to the bathroom 1,000 times, I don't care (exaggerating obviously). I get most of the side effects but don't care. This knocks an abscess out quickly, and I love it!"

10 / 10
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  • Hea...
  • March 5, 2017

For Bacterial Infection "To those who are saying the negative symptoms will not be experienced if you follow instructions, screw you. I'm on this for an infected cat bite. I'm pregnant, it's the only safe antibiotic for me, apparently. I am taking these as prescribed by the doctor and pharmacist with lots of water and food. The heartburn and stomach cramps/diarrhea are hell. And guess what?! On the package, it describes these as known symptoms of the medication. I hate what I am going through. So far, I have found no relief and want nothing more than to stop taking them. I will be following up with my doctor. To those who are lucky enough to not experience the symptoms/side effects? Good on you! Others aren't as lucky."

2 / 10
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  • Tes...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • September 22, 2015

For Bacterial Infection "I am currently taking 300 mg of clindamycin 3 times daily with food. I take it every 5 hours. I am on day 5 out of 10 and currently have not experienced any side effects at all. However, I am also taking a great probiotic twice daily with food as well, away from the clindamycin. I take the first probiotic in between doses 1 and 2, and the second between doses 2 and 3. From other reviews, I highly recommend a good probiotic, as well as a post-probiotic to get your body's flora back up. I am taking clindamycin for an oral viral/bacterial infection I've had going on for months. So far, I have already seen improvement, and I am only halfway through my dose. Also, be sure to always take it with food and drink plenty of water."

8 / 10
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  • Zab...
  • November 5, 2015

For Bacterial Infection "Hope this helps others! It has been said a hundred times before, so I will say it again. MAKE SURE YOU DRINK ENOUGH WATER WHEN TAKING THIS MEDICATION! I made a bad mistake by not drinking enough water with my dose. I got no sleep from the side effect of heartburn and the accompanying chest pains. So much so that I was afraid of taking my next dose. I didn't want to go through that again! I did talk myself into taking the next 600 mg because the drug works that well. I want this infection out of me once and for all! I hope these meds work for you as they have for me. Halfway there. Won't be long now!"

9 / 10
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  • Mar...
  • March 11, 2014

For Bacterial Infection "I was prescribed this medication every 6 hrs for a severe tooth infection that was sore to my neck. It's been 3 days, and the pain is subsiding a bit, very little heartburn, but I also am on prescription Prilosec. You cannot take any heartburn meds for 2-4 hrs before and after taking clindamycin. My dosage is every 6 hrs. So far, my worst side effect is the stomach cramping, and I have the absolute worst metal taste in my mouth. Nothing seems to take it away. I suggest definitely following the directions exactly, especially with drinking water and NOT laying down for at least 20-30 mins."

7 / 10
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  • Hap...
  • June 20, 2016

For Bacterial Vaginosis "I kept going back to the doc, and they always prescribed Metro. It never worked! I never got any relief in the syphilis, the discharge continued. I finally got checked at a hospital and got prescribed this. The third day, my symptoms were cleared. So happy with this medication."

10 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • November 15, 2012

Clindamycin for Bacterial Infection "I have had a staph infection for some time. I was on Bactrim and Cephalexin for 10 days, and they seemed to work until I was out of medication. I was then prescribed Cleocin. I have been on it for a week, and just shy of that week, I started to have side effects. I have never before had any side effects from any medication prescribed, so this was quite a shock. Cleocin seemed to be working on my infection, but I had to discontinue its use early. I had the worst case of heartburn that would hit me in waves of pain, never before had I experienced that type of pain. The inside of my mouth became very raw."

1 / 10
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  • Lil...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • October 26, 2013

For Bacterial Infection "I was prescribed clindamycin for a mouth (not tooth) infection. I won't know if it worked until I am done with it and the infection stays gone. The side effects have been a bummer! Horrible heartburn, fatigue, and nausea. The heartburn is manageable with lots of water and a huge bottle of Tums. Kefir has helped too. I want the infection to buzz off, but this stuff is a drag. I have never had an antibiotic beat me up like this."

8 / 10
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  • Jay...
  • December 11, 2013

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "I was prescribed 10 days of oral capsules of this medication after other medicines did nothing for a moderate skin abscess. Clindamycin is a strong antibiotic, and diarrhea is often a side effect. To help prevent this from happening, I took Acidophilus capsules. Yogurt does not provide enough Acidophilus-you really need the capsules. I took Clindamycin every 6 hours, so in between (that is, 3 hours after the antibiotic) I would take an Acidophilus capsule. I didn't bother getting up in the night to do this. I believe the Acidophilus prevented my getting diarrhea while the antibiotic cured the infection. You can get Acidophilus in health food stores in the refrigerator case."

9 / 10
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  • Hap...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • May 25, 2014

For Bacterial Infection "I went to the ER because I could not swallow due to the pus pockets on my tonsils and my swollen glands. They gave me a dose of this medicine in the hospital, and 2 hours later I could swallow again. I got the prescription filled and took it, holy heartburn. It is worth the pain of the heartburn because this medicine definitely worked for me."

10 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • January 25, 2014

For Bacterial Infection "Started taking this 4 days ago, 300 mg 3x daily. After 1 day, the swelling started to go down, and by day 4, the swelling is gone. After 2-3 days, the pain subsided (it is still there, but a LOT less severe). But as the pain subsided, in came the nasty taste in the mouth. I tried mouthwash (doesn't help)... I've tried drinking plenty of water (doesn't help)... and I've tried gum (works temporarily, but as soon as the gum's out of the mouth, the taste comes back and my jaw starts hurting when I chew it."

7 / 10
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  • mj6...
  • October 15, 2013

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "Took clindamycin, two 150 mg every 6 hrs for 7 days. I was hesitant to take this because I've had C. diff before from taking Cipro several months ago. I had cellulitis from bee stings, and I had no side effects from taking clindamycin...except to make sure to have food in your tummy when taking this because it does give heartburn if your tummy is empty. Other than that, I am thankful that I had no side effects from this. I'm sorry to hear about those who are extremely sensitive to this strong antibiotic but it has surely helped cure my cellulitis."

8 / 10
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  • mha...
  • August 23, 2016

For Bacterial Infection "Don't be scared of others' reviews. I came here after being prescribed this medicine because I had never heard of it and wanted to get more information. After reading all the reviews, most of them telling horror stories about their experience. I followed every letter of the instructions, I took each pill with a 16 oz glass of water, stayed seated or standing for 10-20 minutes, took as prescribed every 6 hours, and took a probiotic once a day. After the first 36 hours, I noticed the pain of the infection started to subside, and the affected area got smaller. After 72 hours on the medication, I was feeling back to normal. The only side effect I noticed was a slightly upset stomach one day that I forgot to take the probiotic."

10 / 10
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  • Cee...
  • April 7, 2020

For Bacterial Infection "Took clindamycin for a week, and my whole digestive system is messed up. Even days after finishing it, my throat burns, I feel like there is a lump of pressure in my chest whenever I try to keep food down, and my stool is very runny, and I stay bloated."

3 / 10
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20 Report
  • Fac...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • October 3, 2014

For Bacterial Infection "I was diagnosed with facial cellulitis in the ER 3 days ago. Was given this medicine via IV while in the ER and sent home with a 10-day script taking 300 mg 4 times daily. I have a small case of heartburn, nothing too bad. I have no other side effects to report from this medicine. My only complaint is taking it 4 times a day. It means in the middle of the night (3 am to be exact), I have to wake up for about 30 minutes just to take a pill. I like my sleep. So far it has worked. The swelling has gone down, and it seems the infection has stopped spreading. That was its first job! I still have to take it for 7 more days, so hoping by the time I finish, this medicine completed its final job in killing the bacteria."

9 / 10
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35 Report

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