Clindamycin Topical Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Feb 23, 2024.

For healthcare professionals

Applies to clindamycin topical: topical foam, topical gel, topical kit, topical lotion, topical solution, topical swab, vaginal cream, vaginal gel, vaginal suppository.

Dermatologic adverse events

Lotion:

• Very common (10% or more): Dryness (Up to 18%), erythema (Up to 14%), itching (Up to 11%), oiliness/oily skin (Up to 10%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Seborrhea, skin problems, peeling, skin irritation, urticaria
• Frequency not reported: Gram-negative folliculitis/folliculitis, contact dermatitis
• Postmarketing reports: Rash, pruritus, blisters, papular pruritic skin rash, hair loss, skin inflammation, scaling, skin discoloration

Topical Gel:

• Very common (10% or more): Dryness (Up to 23%), oiliness/oily skin (Up to 18%), itching (Up to 10%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Erythema
• Frequency not reported: Acne aggravated, erythema, scaly rash, skin disorder, gram-negative folliculitis, contact dermatitis

Topical Solution:

• Very common (10% or more): Skin dryness (Up to 19%), erythema (Up to 16%), peeling (Up to 11%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Skin oiliness/oily skin, skin problems, itching, irritation, urticaria
• Frequency not reported: Gram-negative folliculitis, contact dermatitis

Vaginal Cream:

• Frequency not reported: Rash, exanthema, urticaria, skin candida, pruritus (non-application site), rash macular, erythema, maculopapular rash^[Ref]

Genitourinary

Lotion:

• Common (1% to 10%): Urinary tract infection
• Postmarketing reports: Fertility disorders, bladder infection

Topical Solution:

• Common (1% to 10%): Vaginitis

Vaginal Cream:

• Very common (10% or more): Cervicitis/vaginitis (Up to 14%), vulvovaginal moniliasis/candidiasis (Up to 13.3%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Vulvovaginal irritation/disorder/pain, vulvovaginitis trichomonal, Candida infection
• Frequency not reported: Urinary tract/vaginal infection, menstrual disorder, metrorrhagia, vaginal discharge, endometriosis, proteinuria, dysuria
• Postmarketing reports: Pelvic pain

Vaginal Suppository:

• Common (1% to 10%): Vulvovaginal disorder, vaginal pain, vaginal moniliasis
• Frequency not reported: Menstrual disorder, dysuria, vaginal discharge, vaginitis/vaginal infection^[Ref]

Vulvovaginal candidiasis, fungal infection, dysuria, and proteinuria occurred more frequently in pregnant patients given this drug compared to placebo for 7 days.^[Ref]

Local

Lotion:

• Very common (10% or more): Application site burning/itching (Up to 11%)

Topical Gel:

• Frequency not reported: Application site burning/dryness/erythema

Vaginal Cream:

• Frequency not reported: Pruritus (topical application site)^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Lotion:

• Common (1% to 10%): Diarrhea
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Vomiting
• Frequency not reported: Abdominal pain, gastrointestinal disturbances
• Postmarketing reports: Nausea, acute colitis, bloating, constipation, colored tongue, dyspepsia, flatulence, gastrointestinal distress/reflux, heartburn, pseudomembranous colitis, rectal bleeding

Topical Gel:

• Frequency not reported: Abdominal pain, gastrointestinal disturbances, diarrhea, bloody diarrhea (including pseudomembranous colitis)

Topical Solution:

• Common (1% to 10%): Diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, abdominal cramps/pain
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Gastrointestinal disturbances
• Frequency not reported: Bloody diarrhea (including pseudomembranous colitis)

Vaginal Cream:

• Frequency not reported: Heartburn, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, localized/generalized abdominal pain, abdominal cramps, breath odor/halitosis, dyspepsia, flatulence, gastrointestinal disorder
• Postmarketing reports: Pseudomembranous colitis, abdominal distension

Vaginal Suppository:

• Frequency not reported: Abdominal cramps, localized/general abdominal pain^[Ref]

Nervous system

Lotion:

• Very common (10% or more): Burning sensation (Up to 11%)
• Postmarketing reports: Headache, dizziness, facial numbness, metallic taste, voice loss

Topical Gel:

• Very common (10% or more): Burning sensation (up to 10%)

Topical Solution:

• Very common (10% or more): Burning sensation (Up to 11%)

Vaginal Cream:

• Frequency not reported: Dizziness, headache, vertigo, taste perversion^[Ref]

Other

Lotion:

• Common (1% to 10%): Dental procedure
• Postmarketing reports: Facial swelling, fungal infection

Topical Gel:

• Frequency not reported: Smarting

Topical Solution:

• Common (1% to 10%): Dental procedure

Vaginal Cream:

• Common (1% to 10%): Abnormal labor, fungal infection
• Frequency not reported: Bacterial infection, inflammation, microbiology test abnormal, candida infection/moniliasis (body), inflammatory swelling
• Postmarketing reports: Pain

Vaginal Suppository:

• Common (1% to 10%): Fungal infection^[Ref]

Abnormal labor occurred in 1.1% of pregnant patients (in their second trimester) compared to 0% of patients given placebo for 7 days.

Fungal infections occurred in 1.7% of pregnant patients (in their second trimester) compared to 0% of patients given placebo for 7 days.^[Ref]

Respiratory

Lotion:

• Common (1% to 10%): Sore throat/tonsillitis/laryngitis
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Upper respiratory tract infection/cough/tracheitis
• Postmarketing reports: Epistaxis

Topical Solution:

• Common (1% to 10%): Sinusitis/congestion

Vaginal Cream:

• Frequency not reported: Epistaxis, upper respiratory tract infection^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Lotion:

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Fracture

Topical Solution:

• Common (1% to 10%): Fracture

Vaginal Cream:

• Postmarketing reports: Back pain

Vaginal Suppository:

• Frequency not reported: Flank pain^[Ref]

Immunologic

Lotion:

• Common (1% to 10%): Cold/flu

Vaginal Cream:

• Frequency not reported: Hypersensitivity^[Ref]

Ocular

Lotion:

• Frequency not reported: Stinging of the eye, eye pain
• Postmarketing reports: Eye irritation

Topical Gel:

• Frequency not reported: Eye pain

Topical Solution:

• Frequency not reported: Stinging of the eye, eye pain^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Lotion:

• Postmarketing reports: Edema, rapid heartbeat, chest tightness

Topical Solution:

• Frequency not reported: Sensation of warmth^[Ref]

Renal

Vaginal Cream:

• Frequency not reported: Glycosuria

Vaginal Suppository:

• Frequency not reported: Pyelonephritis^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Lotion:

• Postmarketing reports: Allergic reaction

Vaginal Cream:

• Frequency not reported: Allergic reaction^[Ref]

Metabolic

Lotion:

• Postmarketing reports: Weight loss

Vaginal Cream:

• Frequency not reported: Hyperthyroidism^[Ref]

Hematologic

Lotion:

• Postmarketing reports: Leukopenia^[Ref]

Hepatic

Topical Gel:

• Postmarketing reports: Elevated liver enzymes^[Ref]

See also:

Further information

Clindamycin topical 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