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Clindamycin Disease Interactions

There are 4 disease interactions with clindamycin.

Major

Antibiotics (applies to clindamycin) colitis

Major Potential Hazard, Moderate plausibility. Applicable conditions: Colitis/Enteritis (Noninfectious)

Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD), formerly pseudomembranous colitis, has been reported with almost all antibacterial drugs and may range from mild diarrhea to fatal colitis. The most common culprits include clindamycin and lincomycin. Antibacterial therapy alters the normal flora of the colon, leading to overgrowth of C difficile, whose toxins A and B contribute to CDAD development. Morbidity and mortality are increased with hypertoxin-producing strains of C difficile; these infections can be resistant to antimicrobial therapy and may require colectomy. CDAD must be considered in all patients who present with diarrhea after antibacterial use. Since CDAD has been reported to occur more than 2 months after antibacterial use, careful medical history is necessary. Therapy with broad-spectrum antibacterials and other agents with significant antibacterial activity should be administered cautiously in patients with history of gastrointestinal disease, particularly colitis; pseudomembranous colitis (generally characterized by severe, persistent diarrhea and severe abdominal cramps, and sometimes associated with the passage of blood and mucus), if it occurs, may be more severe in these patients and may be associated with flares in underlying disease activity. Antibacterial drugs not directed against C difficile may need to be stopped if CDAD is suspected or confirmed. Appropriate fluid and electrolyte management, protein supplementation, antibacterial treatment of C difficile, and surgical evaluation should be started as clinically indicated.

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Major

MDVs (applies to clindamycin) prematurity

Major Potential Hazard, Moderate plausibility. Applicable conditions: Prematurity/Underweight in Infancy

Parenteral medications formulated in multidose vials often contain benzyl alcohol as a preservative. Their use is considered by drug manufacturers to be contraindicated in neonates, particularly premature infants and infants of low birth weight. When used in bacteriostatic saline intravascular flush and endotracheal tube lavage solutions, benzyl alcohol has been associated with fatalities and severe respiratory and metabolic complications in low-birth-weight premature infants. Thus, single-dose formulations should always be used in infants whenever possible. However, many experts feel that, in the absence of benzyl alcohol-free equivalents, the amount of the preservative present in these formulations should not necessarily preclude their use if they are clearly indicated. The American Academy of Pediatrics considers benzyl alcohol in low doses (such as when used as a preservative in some medications) to be safe for newborns. However, the administration of high dosages of these medications must take into account the total amount of benzyl alcohol administered. The level at which toxicity may occur is unknown.

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Moderate

Clindamycin (applies to clindamycin) liver disease

Moderate Potential Hazard, High plausibility.

Clindamycin is primarily metabolized by the liver. The serum concentration of clindamycin may be increased and the half-life prolonged in patients with severely impaired hepatic function. In addition, jaundice and liver enzyme abnormalities may occur during use of the drug. Therapy with clindamycin should be administered cautiously in patients with liver disease. Dosage adjustments may not be necessary when administered every 8 hours. However, serum concentrations should be monitored during high-dose therapy, and periodic liver function tests should be performed during prolonged therapy.

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Moderate

Clindamycin (applies to clindamycin) renal dysfunction

Moderate Potential Hazard, Low plausibility.

Clindamycin is eliminated by the kidney to a limited extent. Therapy with clindamycin should be administered cautiously in patients with severely impaired renal function. Dosage adjustments are probably not necessary. However, serum clindamycin concentrations should be monitored during high-dose therapy, and periodic renal function tests should be performed during prolonged therapy.

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Clindamycin drug interactions

There are 89 drug interactions with clindamycin.


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Drug Interaction Classification

These classifications are only a guideline. The relevance of a particular drug interaction to a specific individual is difficult to determine. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting or stopping any medication.
Major Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit.
Moderate Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances.
Minor Minimally clinically significant. Minimize risk; assess risk and consider an alternative drug, take steps to circumvent the interaction risk and/or institute a monitoring plan.
Unknown No interaction information available.

Further information

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