Clindamycin

Clindamycin is a lincosamide antibiotic medicine available in Bangladesh under many brand names. Below are its uses, side effects and precautions — and every brand with its current price.

Clindamycin is prescribed by doctors for infections caused by sensitive bacteria, including:

• Serious skin and soft-tissue infections
• Dental and jaw infections, especially with abscess formation
• Bone and joint infections
• Abdominal and pelvic infections (often with another antibiotic)
• Some cases of acne (topical or oral) and certain resistant staph infections

It is particularly useful for penicillin-allergic patients and anaerobic infections. Your doctor decides whether clindamycin suits your condition.

Clindamycin can cause side effects, the most important affecting the gut:

• Common: diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain and a metallic taste
• Less common: skin rash and itching
• Serious (seek urgent help): severe, watery or bloody diarrhoea — which may occur during or even weeks after treatment — together with stomach cramps and fever; or signs of a severe allergic or skin reaction

Severe diarrhoea can signal a dangerous bowel infection (C. difficile). Stop the medicine and contact a doctor at once if this happens.

Clindamycin is a prescription-only antibiotic. Take it only when a registered doctor prescribes it — never self-medicate, share it, or use leftover capsules for a new illness.

• Report severe or watery diarrhoea immediately. Clindamycin can cause a serious bowel infection (Clostridioides difficile) with severe diarrhoea, even after the course ends. Do not take anti-diarrhoea medicines without medical advice.
• Complete the full course exactly as prescribed; stopping early lets bacteria survive and return.
• Antibiotic resistance is a serious and growing crisis in Bangladesh, so antibiotics must never be misused.
• Tell your doctor about any bowel, liver or kidney problems.

Give your doctor a full list of your medicines and supplements. Clindamycin can interact with:

• Muscle relaxants used during surgery — their effect may be increased; tell any anaesthetist you take clindamycin
• Other antibiotics such as erythromycin — they may work against each other
• Medicines that slow the bowel, such as strong anti-diarrhoea drugs (opioids) — these can worsen bowel inflammation

Always check with your doctor or pharmacist before combining clindamycin with other medicines.

Do not take Clindamycin if you:

• Are allergic to clindamycin or lincomycin
• Have a history of antibiotic-associated colitis or serious bowel inflammation

Use with caution and medical supervision if you have liver disease, kidney problems or a history of digestive disorders. Always share your full medical history, especially any previous bowel problems, before starting this medicine.

Clindamycin may be used in pregnancy when a doctor judges it necessary, but only on medical advice and when the benefit clearly outweighs the risk.

It can pass into breast milk and may occasionally cause tummy upset or loose motions in the baby, so breastfeeding mothers should use it only if advised by a doctor and watch the baby for diarrhoea or blood in the stool. If you are pregnant, planning pregnancy or breastfeeding, tell your doctor before taking Clindamycin.

Store Clindamycin in a cool, dry place below 30°C, away from sunlight and moisture.

• Keep capsules in their original pack.
• Any reconstituted solution should be stored as directed and not refrigerated if the label warns against it, as it may thicken.
• Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
• Do not use after the expiry date; return unused medicine to a pharmacy.