Home Medication and medical testsAntibiotics Clindamycin: what it is for, dosage, presentations and side effects

Clindamycin: what it is for, dosage, presentations and side effects

by Alivia Nyhan
Published: Last Updated on

There is a group of drugs that belong to the so-called lincosamide antibiotics, these must be indicated by a doctor and are obtained through a prescription. The clindamycin belongs to this group of drugs used to treat certain infections caused by certain specific bacteria that attack the respiratory system, skin, soft tissue and may even cause infectious processes at the level of the pelvis or level of the female genital tract .

Clindamycin emerges as an alternative for those patients who are allergic to penicillin. In this FastlyHealarticle, you will learn much more about clindamycin: what it is for, dosage, presentations and side effects.

Clindamycin: what is it for?

Clindamycin is an antibiotic that belongs to the group of lincosamides , its main action is bacteriostatic , although it does not kill the bacteria, it interferes with their reproduction, thus making the bacteria age without leaving offspring.

It is a safe antibiotic with high effectiveness in bacteria that have the ability to reproduce with or without oxygen. It is used in the treatment of infections caused by bacteria sensitive to this antibiotic and, particularly, in those patients allergic to penicillin.

Clindamycin is used to treat:

  • Internal eye infections.
  • Gingivitis: inflammation of the gums caused by an infection.
  • Lower respiratory tract infections: empyema, pneumonia, lung abscess.
  • Upper respiratory tract infections: tonsillitis, pharyngitis, otitis, bronchitis, sinusitis.
  • Skin infections such as diabetic ulcers.
  • Intra-abdominal infections: peritonitis, intra-abdominal abscess.
  • Gynecological infections: endometritis, post-surgical vaginal infections.
  • Bone or joint infections such as osteomyelitis, septic arthritis, or cellulitis.
  • Septicemia, which is known as blood infection and Bacteremia.
  • Anaerobic infections caused by sensitive germs.
  • It is used to prevent infections in surgeries.
  • Malaria and insect bite infections.
  • In cases of prophylaxis or bacterial endocarditis.
  • It is used in prophylaxis of dental interventions and periodontitis.

Clindamicina: dosis

The recommended dose of clindamycin will depend on the pathology to be treated in each case.

Adult dosage

  • In cases of severe infections, the dose to be administered is 2400 to 2700 mg a day for 3 or 4 times a day.
  • In less serious infections, the amount required ranges from 1,200 to 1,800 mg a day every 6 to 8 hours.
  • If it is a vaginal infection, known as cervicitis caused by Chamidya Tracomatis , the prescription will be 300 mg every 6 hours for a period of 10 to 14 days.
  • In cases of acne, 150 mg should be taken every 12 hours for 3 to 4 weeks.

Pediatric dosage

  • When it comes to children older than one month, they should be given orally 8 to 25 mg of clindamycin per kg of weight divided into 3-4 times a day.
  • In children older than 1 month, 15 to 20 mg of clindamycin is given intravenously or intramuscularly for the number of days previously mentioned, although this will depend on the agent causing the infection.

The severity of the infection, the condition of the patient and the causative agent will determine the duration of treatment.

Clindamycin: presentations

The presentations of clindamycin are:

  • 300 mg capsules to be ingested orally: the capsules should be swallowed with plenty of water, in this way, they will not cause irritation when swallowed.
  • Injectable in ampoules of 300, 600 and 900 mg or 2 and 4 ml.
  • Presentation for topical use in 1% solution.

Clindamycin in pregnancy and lactation

Clindamycin can only be used during pregnancy , with due caution, if strictly necessary. It can cross the placental barrier in humans.

The administration during lactation of this antibiotic is contraindicated , this antibiotic passes into breast milk. Therefore, its administration during this stage is not recommended, with this, the appearance of effects on the gastrointestinal flora of the infant is avoided.

Clindamycin: side effects

Using clindamycin can cause some side effects , including:

  • Pain when swallowing
  • Sickness.
  • Threw up.
  • Metallic flavor in the mouth.
  • Presence of white lesions in the mouth.
  • Heartburn.
  • In women, thick, white vaginal discharge may appear, as well as burning, itching and inflammation in the vaginal area.

There are other more serious side effects, which require medical evaluation for their treatment:

  • Scaly skin lesions that can turn into blisters.
  • Rash.
  • Itch.
  • Urticaria.
  • Ronquera.
  • Difficulty breathing or swallowing.
  • Presence of icteric dye on skin and eyes.
  • Swelling or swelling may appear in some parts of the body such as the face, throat, lips, tongue, eyes, hands, feet and legs.
  • Decreased frequency of urination.

Clindamycin is an antibiotic that must be prescribed by a doctor and purchased with a prescription at any pharmacy.

This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.

If you want to read more articles similar to Clindamycin: what it is for, dosage, presentations and side effects , we recommend that you enter our category of Medication and medical tests .

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