Skip to Content
Print Share

Comparing Clindamycin vs Metronidazole

Clindamycin

Metronidazole

Clindamycin is an antibiotic that is usually reserved for treating anaerobic infections or other serious infections caused by gram positive bacteria in penicillin-allergic people. The risk of C.... more

Metronidazole is an antibiotic that is particularly effective at treating infections caused by susceptible anaerobic bacteria and parasites. Avoid alcohol while taking metronidazole and for three... more

Choose a suggestion below

Bacterial Infection
Bacterial Vaginitis
Pneumonia
Skin or Soft Tissue Infection
Diverticulitis
Bone infection (Osteomyelitis)
Surgical Prophylaxis
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Deep Neck Infection
Peritonitis
Intraabdominal Infection
Aspiration Pneumonia
Bacteremia
Joint Infection
Lemierre's Syndrome
Show more conditions...

Prescription only

Prescription only

Ratings & Reviews

Recent helpful reviews
5.9
543 Reviews

For Bacterial Infection SOFT GEL PROBIOTIC and a ton of water. I can't stress this enough!!! After reading the reviews I was absolutely mortified about starting this antibiotic(clindamycin 300mg 2x's per day) . I'm one of those people who always get every possible side effect of medication. I stumbled upon a very helpful review of someone suggesting taking a softgel probiotic . I took the probiotic once daily approximately one hour before my first dose. I am entering day 3 of this regime and have yet to get any of the unpleasant side effects mentioned. I also drank about a liter or more of water with each pill. I will update this post once I finish the med. Don't let all of the scary reviews get you down. You can do this!!

6
Tia_C

For Bacterial Infection it's too early to tell if it's working it's just the difficult side effects. I've been dealing with brutal acid reflux and pain after swallowing (as soon as food hits the top of my stomach there is severe cramping and pain.) However, these are tips that have personally helped me quite a bit. I am not a professional in anyway: 1. Drink with a TON of water 2. Never EVER take on an empty stomach 3. Eat with a large NON-acidic meal; Good: bread, rice, potatoes, bananas, milk, plain chicken Bad: Citrus fruit, tomatoes, oils, anything fried, anything carbonated, anything with lots of spices. 4. Do not lay down right after taking 5. Take a probiotic but take at least a few hours before or after taking this

6
Jane Doe Smith
6.5
1565 Reviews

For Bacterial Vaginitis Hi ladies! So I had BV and went to doctors to get prescription. The doctor prescribed ONE dose of 2000MG ( 4 pills of 500MG) and take it all at once!!! After day two my symptoms are GONE!!! Maybe the doctor should prescribe one dosage for BV as it's very effective!!!!!!!! Consider it

7
Brittmusta

For Bacterial Vaginitis This was effective for me, BUT after one day of taking the medication I became very sick, not only was I nauseous, but I was pretty congested and had a severe migraine. Yes, it worked, but definitely not worth it.

7
Lisa

View all 543 reviews

View all 1565 reviews

Drug Class

Side Effects

See the full clindamycin side effects document.

See the full metronidazole side effects document.

Pricing and Coupons

* Prices are without insurance
Quantity 4 capsule
Dosage 150 mg
Per Unit* $2.52 - $2.63
Cost* $10.06 - $10.50
View all clindamycin prices
Quantity 1 tablet
Dosage 500 mg
Per Unit* $8.44 - $8.81
Cost* $8.44 - $8.81
View all metronidazole prices

Get free Discount Card

Get free Discount Card

Generic Availability

Yes (this medicine)

Yes (this medicine)

Dosage Form(s) Available
  • Injectable solution
  • Intravenous solution
  • Oral capsule
  • Oral powder for reconstitution
  • Intravenous solution
  • Oral capsule
  • Oral tablet

Brand Names
Cleocin, Cleocin HCl, Cleocin Pediatric, Cleocin Phosphate, Cleocin Phosphate ADD-Vantage Flagyl, Flagyl 375, Flagyl IV, Metro, Metro IV, Metryl, Protostat

Half Life

The half-life of a drug is the time taken for the plasma concentration of a drug to reduce to half its original value.

3.4 hours

20 hours

CSA Schedule**

View glossary of terms.
N
Not a controlled drug

Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
N
Not a controlled drug

Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.

Pregnancy Category
B
Category B No proven risk in humans

See the full Pregnancy Warnings document.
B
Category B No proven risk in humans

See the full Pregnancy Warnings document.

FDA Alerts

FDA Alerts (1)

FDA Alerts (3)

Drug Interactions

A total of 57 drugs are known to interact with clindamycin:

  • 1 major drug interactions (2 brand and generic names)
  • 50 moderate drug interactions (500 brand and generic names)
  • 6 minor drug interactions (15 brand and generic names)

A total of 401 drugs are known to interact with metronidazole:

  • 8 major drug interactions (23 brand and generic names)
  • 189 moderate drug interactions (965 brand and generic names)
  • 204 minor drug interactions (671 brand and generic names)

Alcohol/Food/Lifestyle Interactions

No results found - however, this does not necessarily mean no warnings exist. Always consult with your doctor or pharmacist.
  • Consumption of alcoholic beverages or products containing alcohol or propylene glycol during... more

Disease Interactions

First Approval Date

February 22, 1970

July 18, 1963

WADA Class

View World Anti-Doping Agency classifications.

N/A

N/A

More Information

Consumer Resources

Professional Resources

Related Treatment Guide

** The Controlled Substances Act (CSA) schedule information displayed applies to substances regulated under federal law. There may be variations in CSA schedules between individual states.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

Drugs.com Mobile Apps

The easiest way to lookup drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records. Available for Android and iOS devices.

Explore Apps