Clindamycin Injection

Conditions Treated

Clindamycin injection is used to treat certain types of bacterial infections, including infections of the lungs, skin, blood, bones, joints, female reproductive organs, and internal organs. Clindamycin is in a class of medications called lincomycin antibiotics. It works by slowing or stopping the growth of bacteria. Antibiotics such as clindamycin will not kill the viruses that cause colds, flu, and other viral infections.

Possible Side Effects

What Side Effects Can This Cause?

Clindamycin injection may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• hardness, pain, or a soft, painful bump in the area where clindamycin was injected
• unpleasant or metallic taste in the mouth
• nausea
• vomiting
• joint pain
• white patches in the mouth
• thick, white vaginal discharge
• burning, itching, and swelling of the vagina

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately:

• blisters
• rash
• hives
• difficulty breathing or swallowing
• yellowing of the skin or eyes
• decreased urination

Clindamycin injection may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while using this medication.If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].

Usage Instructions

How Should This Medication Be Used

Clindamycin injection comes as a liquid to be injected intravenously (into a vein) over a period of 10 to 40 minutes or intramuscularly (into a muscle). It is usually given two to four times a day. You may receive clindamycin injection in a hospital, or you may be given the medication to use at home. If you have been told to use clindamycin injection at home, it is very important that you use the medication exactly as directed. Use clindamycin injection at about the same times every day. Follow the directions that you are given carefully, and ask your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse if you have any questions. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor. You should begin to feel better during the first few days of treatment with clindamycin injection. If your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse, call your doctor. Use clindamycin injection until you finish the prescription, even if you feel better. If you stop using clindamycin injection too soon or skip doses, your infection may not be completely treated and the bacteria may become resistant to antibiotics.

What Dietary Instructions Should I Follow

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

Are There Any Special Instructions

Before using clindamycin injection, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to clindamycin, lincomycin (Lincocin), or any other medications. tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention erythromycin (E.E.S, E-Mycin, Erythrocin). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had asthma, allergies, eczema (sensitive skin that often becomes itchy and irritated)colitis (inflammation of the large intestine) or other conditions that affect your stomach or intestines, or liver or kidney disease. if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using clindamycin injection.