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Clindamycin

Clindamycin (Cleocin) is a lincosamide antibiotic used for serious bacterial infections and, in gel form, for acne. This catalogue lists Clindamycin Tablets, Cleocin and Cleocin Gel.

Clindamycin Tablets

Bacterial Infections

150mg · 300mg

Clindamycin tablets for bacterial infections. It is often used for skin and soft tissue infections as well as bone infections.

From$2.20/ tabletView

Cleocin

Bacterial Infections, Gynaecological Infections

150mg

Clindamycin tablets for bacterial and gynaecological infections. It can cause severe diarrhoea, so seek medical advice if watery stools develop.

From$1.94/ tabletView

Cleocin Gel

Acne Vulgaris

1% 20gm

Clindamycin gel for acne vulgaris. It targets the affected area directly on the skin, without affecting the rest of the body.

From$2.83/ tubeView

Key points

  • Clindamycin is a lincosamide antibiotic reserved for serious infections when a penicillin cannot be used, including for people with a penicillin allergy.
  • Its boxed warning covers Clostridioides difficile diarrhoea, which can start more than two months after a course of clindamycin ends.
  • Clindamycin is broken down mainly by CYP3A4, an enzyme found in the liver and gut, forming clindamycin sulfoxide and a smaller by-product.

What Clindamycin is used for

Clindamycin tablets, including the brand Cleocin, are listed for serious Bacterial Infections when a penicillin cannot be used, such as for people with a penicillin allergy. Cleocin is also listed for Gynaecological Infections and bone infections. Cleocin Gel is listed under Skin Care for acne vulgaris instead, a topical use for the same ingredient rather than a tablet for a bacterial infection.

Clostridioides difficile colitis warning

Antibacterial treatment, including clindamycin, can disturb the normal bacteria living in the gut, letting Clostridioides difficile overgrow and produce toxins that cause diarrhoea ranging from mild diarrhoea to fatal colitis. Strains that produce more toxin are harder to treat and can require surgery. If this diarrhoea is suspected or confirmed, other antibacterial treatment not aimed at C. difficile may be stopped, and care shifts to fluids, electrolytes and treatment directed at C. difficile itself.

Further reading

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