Clindamycin Oral Capsule

• This drug has a black box warning. This is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A black box warning alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.
• Almost all antibiotics, including clindamycin, can cause Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea. This condition can cause mild diarrhea or severe inflammation of your colon. Severe cases of the reaction may be fatal (cause death). You should only take this drug if you have a serious infection.

• Skin effects warning: This drug can cause serious skin reactions. These reactions may be fatal (cause death). If you have a serious skin reaction, stop taking this drug and call your doctor right away. Symptoms can include rash, peeling skin, and swelling of your face or tongue. They also include blisters on your skin or blisters in or around your nose, mouth, and eyes.
• Finish taking your drug: You must finish the entire course of treatment of this drug as prescribed by your doctor. Don’t stop taking the drug or skip doses if you start to feel better. Doing so could cause your infection to last longer. You could also develop a resistance to the medication. This means that if you get a bacterial infection again, clindamycin may not work to treat it.

Clindamycin oral capsule can interact with other medications, vitamins, or herbs you may be taking. An interaction is when a substance changes the way a drug works. This can be harmful or prevent the drug from working well.

To help avoid interactions, your doctor should manage all of your medications carefully. Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, or herbs you’re taking. To find out how this drug might interact with something else you’re taking, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Drugs you should not use with clindamycin

Do not take erythromycin with clindamycin. Doing so can block the effects of clindamycin. This interaction may make your infection worse.

When clindamycin is used with certain drugs, it may not work as well to treat your condition. This is because the amount of clindamycin in your body may be decreased. Examples of these drugs include:

• Drugs called CYP3A4 inducers, such as rifampicin. These drugs may reduce how much clindamycin your body absorbs.

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs interact differently in each person, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible interactions. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always speak with your healthcare provider about possible interactions with all prescription drugs, vitamins, herbs and supplements, and over-the-counter drugs that you are taking.

Clindamycin oral capsule is used for short-term treatment. It comes with risks if you don’t take it as prescribed.

If you stop taking the drug or don’t take it at all: If you don’t take this drug, your infection won’t get better. It may even get worse.

If you miss doses or don’t take the drug on schedule: Your medication may not work as well or may stop working completely. For this drug to work well, a certain amount needs to be in your body at all times.

If you take too much: You could have dangerous levels of the drug in your body. Symptoms of an overdose of this drug can include:

• diarrhea
• convulsions (sudden movements caused by tightening of the muscles)
• temporary paralysis (loss of the ability to move)
• low blood pressure

If you think you’ve taken too much of this drug, call your doctor or local poison control center. If your symptoms are severe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

What to do if you miss a dose: Take your dose as soon as you remember. But if you remember just a few hours before your next scheduled dose, take only one dose. Never try to catch up by taking two doses at once. This could result in dangerous side effects.

How to tell if the drug is working: Your symptoms and infection should get better.

There are other drugs available to treat your condition. Some may be better suited for you than others. Talk to your doctor about other drug options that may work for you.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up-to-date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or other healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.