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Author: Admin | 2025-04-28
Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on July 26, 2023. How it worksUpsidesDownsidesBottom LineTipsResponse/effectivenessInteractions 1. How it works Clindamycin is an antibiotic that may be used to treat a wide range of infections including those involving gram-positive and anaerobic bacteria (anaerobic means living without air).Clindamycin works by inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis, which inhibits bacterial growth. It has a bacteriostatic effect which means it stops bacteria from reproducing but doesn't necessarily kill them.Clindamycin belongs to the class of antibiotics known as lincosamide or lincomycin antibiotics. 2. Upsides Usually reserved for the treatment of serious infections caused by susceptible anaerobic bacteria, such as those occurring in the abdomen, gastrointestinal tract, lower respiratory tract, on the skin, and in the genitourinary area. Examples include acute otitis media in people who fail to respond to first-line or other preferred agents, serious bone and joint infections, gynecological infections, or serious intra-abdominal infections.Effective against several gram-positive and anaerobic bacteria, including susceptible strains of Staphylococcus aureus (methicillin-susceptible strains only), Streptococcus pneumoniae (penicillin-susceptible strains only), S. pyogenes, Clostridium perfringens, Fusobacterium necrophorum, F. nucleatum, Peptostreptococcus anaerobius, Prevotella melaninogenica.For infections caused by susceptible strains of streptococci, pneumococci, or staphylococci, clindamycin is usually reserved for penicillin-allergic patients or other patients in whom penicillin is unsuitable.Available as an oral capsule, oral solution, and parenterally (may be administered IM or by intermittent or continuous infusion). The oral capsule should not be given to children who are unable to swallow capsules; use the oral solution instead.For serious anaerobic infections, the parenteral route is usually used initially but should be switched to the oral route as soon as the patient's condition allows.May be taken with or without food.Generic clindamycin is available. 3. Downsides If you are between the ages of 18 and 60, take no other medication or have no other medical conditions,
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