Why is this medication prescribed?
Clindamycin is used primarily to treat infections caused by susceptible anaerobic bacteria. Such infections might include respiratory infections, septicemia and peritonitis. In patients with hypersensitivity to penicillins, clindamycin may be used to treat susceptible aerobic infections as well.
It is also used to treat bone-infections caused by staphylococcus aureus.
Additionally, topical application of clindamycin phosphate can be used to treat severe acne.
It is most effective against infections involving the following types of organisms:
- Aerobic gram-positive cocci, including some members of the Staphylococcus and Streptococcus (eg. pneumococcus) genera.
- Anaerobic gram-negative bacilli, including some members of the Bacteroides and Fusobacterium genera.
Mechanism: clindamycin has a bacteriostatic effect. Clindamycin interferes with bacterial protein synthesis, in a similar way as erythromycin and chloramphenicol, by binding to the 50S subunit of the bacterial ribosome.
Dosage and using this medicine
What special precautions should I follow?
What should I do if I forget a dose?
What side effects can this medication cause?