Cleocin Side Effects

Generic name: clindamycin

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 23, 2025.

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

Applies to clindamycin: oral capsule, oral powder for solution.

Other dosage forms:

• intravenous solution
• solution

Precautions

It is important that your doctor check your or your child's progress after treatment. This is to make sure that the infection is cleared up completely, and to allow your doctor to check for any unwanted effects. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

If your or your child's symptoms do not improve, or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This medicine may cause diarrhea, and in some cases it can be severe. It may occur 2 months or more after you stop using this medicine. Do not take any medicine to treat diarrhea without first checking with your doctor. If you have any questions or if mild diarrhea continues or gets worse, check with your doctor.

Serious skin reactions can occur with this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you have blistering, peeling, or loose skin, red skin lesions, severe acne or skin rash, sores or ulcers on the skin, or fever or chills while you or your child are using this medicine.

This medicine may cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth while you or your child are using this medicine.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Serious side effects of Cleocin

Along with its needed effects, clindamycin (the active ingredient contained in Cleocin) 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 immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking clindamycin:

For healthcare professionals

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

Gastrointestinal adverse events

• 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]

See also:

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 lie down after taking clindamycin?
• Can clindamycin be used to treat chlamydia?

Further information

Cleocin 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.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer