Clindamycin
is a lincosamide antibiotic used in the treatment of infections caused by susceptible
microorganisms.Clindamycin is a semisynthetic antibiotic derived from
lincomycin.
Microbiology:
Aerobic gram-positive cocci, including: Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis
(penicillinase
and non-penicillinase producing strains), Streptococci, Pneumococci. Anaerobic gramnegative bacilli,
including: Bacteroides species,
Fusobacterium species.
Anaerobic gram-positive non-spore forming bacilli, including: Propionibacterium species, Eubacterium species, Actinomyces species. Anaerobic and
microaerophilic gram-positive cocci, including: Peptococcus species, Peptostreptococcus species,
Microaerophilic streptococci, C. perferinges
Indication:
Clindamycin HCl is indicated in the treatment of the following infections
caused by susceptible anaerobic bacteria or susceptible strains of gram
positive bacteria such as Streptococci, Staphylococci and Pneumococci; Upper respiratory
infections, Lower respiratory infections, Skin and soft tissue infections, Bone
and joint infections, Pelvic infections, Intra-abdominal infections, Septicemia
and endocarditis, Dental infections. As an alternative therapy when used in
combination with quinine or amodiaquine for the treatment of multi-drug
resistant Plasmodium falciporum infection.
Dosage
and Administration: Serious infections- 150
to 300 mg every 6 hours. More severe
infections- 300 to 450 mg every 6 hours. To avoid the
possibility of oesophageal irritation, Clindamycin capsules should be taken
with a full glass of water.
Side
Effects: The adverse effects have been reported with the
use of clindamycin are- abdominal pain, oesophagitis and oesophagial ulcer,
nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea, pruritus, skin rashes, urticaria
Precautions:
Clindamycin should be prescribed with caution in individuals with a
history of gastrointestinal disease, particularly colitis
Contraindications:
Clindamycin is contraindicated in patients previously found to be
sensitive to
clindamycin
or any of the ingredients of this medicine.
Pregnancy
and Lactation: Pregnancy Category B. Clindamycin has been
reported to appear in breast milk in the range of 0.7 to 3.8 mcg/mL. So this
drug should be used only if clearly needed.
Pediatric
Use: When Clindamycin HCl is administered to the pediatric population
(birth to 16 years), appropriate monitoring of organ system functions is
desirable.
Geriatric use: Dose
adjustment of Clindamycin is not necessary
Drug
Interactions: Clindamycin enhance the action of other
neuromuscular blocking agents. Therefore, it should be used with caution in
patients receiving such agents. Antagonism has been demonstrated between
clindamycin and erythromycin in vitro. Because of possible clinical
significance, these two drugs should not be administered concurrently.
Overdosage:
Overdosage with orally administered clindamycin has been rare. Adverse
reactions similar to those seen with normal doses can be expected, however,
unexpected reactions could occur. Haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis are not
effective in removing clindamycin from the serum. Overdosage should be treated
with simple gastric lavage. No specific antidote is known.