Cleocin Phosphate ADD-Vantage Side Effects

Generic name: clindamycin

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 12, 2024.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Cleocin Phosphate ADD-Vantage Side Effects associated with clindamycin. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Cleocin Phosphate ADD-Vantage.

Applies to clindamycin: solution.

Other dosage forms:

• oral capsule, oral powder for solution
• intravenous solution

Important warnings This medicine can cause some serious health issues

Intravenous route (solution)

Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD) has been reported and may range in severity from mild to life-threatening.

Colectomy has been required with some antibiotic-resistant CDAD infections, and clindamycin therapy has been associated with fatal colitis.

CDAD onset may occur more than 2 months after cessation of antibiotics.

Therefore, it is important to consider this diagnosis in patients who present with diarrhea after antibacterial treatment.

Clindamycin should be reserved for serious infections where less toxic antimicrobial agents are inappropriate.

Do not use clindamycin to treat nonbacterial infections (eg, most upper respiratory tract infections).

Consider discontinuation of ongoing antibiotic treatment not directed against C difficile if CDAD is suspected or confirmed.

Supportive treatment may include fluid and electrolyte management, protein supplementation, antibiotic treatment of C difficile, and surgical evaluation when clinically indicated.

Intramuscular route (solution)

Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD) has been reported and may range in severity from mild to life-threatening.

Colectomy has been required with some antibiotic-resistant CDAD infections, and clindamycin therapy has been associated with fatal colitis.

CDAD onset may occur more than 2 months after cessation of antibiotics.

Therefore, it is important to consider this diagnosis in patients who present with diarrhea after antibacterial treatment.

Clindamycin should be reserved for serious infections where less toxic antimicrobial agents are inappropriate.

Do not use clindamycin to treat nonbacterial infections (eg, most upper respiratory tract infections).

Consider discontinuation of ongoing antibiotic treatment not directed against C difficile if CDAD is suspected or confirmed.

Supportive treatment may include fluid and electrolyte management, protein supplementation, antibiotic treatment of C difficile, and surgical evaluation when clinically indicated.

Serious side effects

Along with its needed effects, clindamycin (the active ingredient contained in Cleocin Phosphate ADD-Vantage) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking clindamycin:

Rare

• cracks in the skin
• loss of heat from the body
• red, swollen skin
• scaly skin

Incidence not known

• agitation
• black, tarry stools
• bleeding gums
• blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
• bloating
• blood in the urine or stools
• blurred vision
• chest pain or tightness
• chills
• clay-colored stools
• cloudy urine
• coma
• confusion
• cough or hoarseness
• dark urine
• decrease in the amount of urine
• depression
• diarrhea
• diarrhea, watery and severe, which may also be bloody
• difficulty with swallowing
• dizziness
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• dry mouth
• fast heartbeat
• fever with or without chills
• general feeling of tiredness or weakness
• headache
• heart stops
• hives or welts, itching, or skin rash
• hostility
• increased thirst
• irritability
• itching of the vagina or genital area
• joint or muscle pain
• lethargy
• loss of appetite
• lower back or side pain
• muscle twitching
• nausea or vomiting
• no breathing
• no pulse or blood pressure
• pain during sexual intercourse
• pain in the lower back or side
• pain, tenderness, or swelling of the foot or leg
• painful or difficult urination
• pinpoint red spots on the skin
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• rapid weight gain
• rash with flat lesions or small raised lesions on the skin
• red skin lesions, often with a purple center
• red, irritated eyes
• redness of the skin
• seizures
• sore throat
• sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
• stomach cramps, pain, or tenderness
• swelling of the face, ankles, or hands
• swollen glands
• thick, white vaginal discharge with no odor or with a mild odor
• thirst
• unconscious
• unpleasant breath odor
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• unusual weight loss
• vomiting of blood
• yellow eyes or skin

Other side effects

Some side effects of clindamycin may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Incidence not known

• bitter taste
• changes in skin color
• pain, lump, or irritation at the injection site

For healthcare professionals

Applies to clindamycin: compounding powder, injectable solution, intravenous solution, oral capsule, oral powder for reconstitution.

Gastrointestinal

• Common (1% to 10%): Pseudomembranous colitis, diarrhea, abdominal pain
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dysgeusia, nausea, vomiting
• Frequency not reported: Esophageal ulcers, esophagitis (oral preparations)^[Ref]

The onset of pseudomembranous colitis symptoms may occur during or after antibacterial treatment and is associated with the presence of Clostridium difficile toxin in the stool. Pseudomembranous colitis may also be associated with toxic megacolon, which can be life-threatening.

An unpleasant or metallic taste has occasionally been reported after high doses of IV clindamycin.^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Maculopapular rash
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Urticaria
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Erythema multiforme, pruritus
• Frequency not reported: Toxic epidermal necrolysis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, exfoliative dermatitis, bullous dermatitis, generalized mild to moderate morbilliform-like rash, acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP), Sweet's Syndrome
• Postmarketing reports: Serious cutaneous adverse reaction^[Ref]

Rash was particularly common in AIDS patients.

A 47-year-old female patient with multiple comorbidities was diagnosed with Sweet's Syndrome. The patient's symptoms developed 2 days after initiating oral clindamycin therapy for a tooth infection. The patient's symptoms persisted despite tooth extraction and continuance of antibiotic treatment with intravenous, then oral, clindamycin. Following discontinuation of clindamycin, the patient's symptoms resolved over several days. Drug-induced Sweet's syndrome was determined based on the temporal relationship of the patient's symptoms, the beginning and end of clindamycin therapy, and the exclusion of other etiologies.

Three days after starting oral clindamycin for the persistence of symptoms following a root canal, a 34-year-old male patient reported "pimples" on his scalp which changed to pustules 24 hours later. The lesions progressed and the patient's antibiotic therapy was discontinued. Two days later, the rash improved considerably. The patient met the diagnostic criteria for drug-induced Sweet's syndrome and clindamycin was the most likely cause due to the timeline of antibiotic therapy and the patient's improvement following its discontinuation.^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Frequency not reported: Anaphylactoid reactions, drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic systems (DRESS)^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Common (1% to 10%): Thrombophlebitis (after IV infusion)
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Cardiorespiratory arrest, hypotension^[Ref]

Cardiorespiratory arrest and hypotension have been reported after too rapid IV administration. Thrombophlebitis has been reported after intravenous infusion.^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Frequency not reported: Vaginitis^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Eosinophilia
• Frequency not reported: Neutropenia, leucopenia, agranulocytosis, thrombocytopenia^[Ref]

Neutropenia (ANC 945 cells/mm3) occurred in a 68-year-old male 6 days after receiving a single 600 mg oral dose of clindamycin. The neutrophil count normalized after 2 weeks.^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Common (1% to 10%): Liver function test abnormalities
• Frequency not reported: Jaundice^[Ref]

Local

• Frequency not reported: Injection site irritation, pain, abscess formation^[Ref]

Pain, induration, and sterile abscess have been reported after intramuscular administration.^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Frequency not reported: Polyarthritis^[Ref]

Renal

• Frequency not reported: Renal dysfunction, as shown by azotemia, oliguria, and/or proteinuria^[Ref]

Frequently asked questions

• What are the best antibiotics for a tooth infection?
• What is the best antibiotic to treat strep throat?
• Is clindamycin a strong antibiotic?
• Can I take clindamycin if I am allergic to penicillin?
• Is clindamycin a penicillin?
• Why can't you lay down after taking clindamycin?
• Can clindamycin be used to treat chlamydia?

Further information

Cleocin Phosphate ADD-Vantage side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

Medical Disclaimer