ADAP drugs: clindamycin

clindamycin (Cleocin)

Drug description

Clindamycin is an antiparasitic drug used in combination with pyrimethamine for maintenance treatment of toxoplasmosis. Clindamycin is used to treat acute toxoplasmosis, although it may not be as effective as pyrimethamine-sulfa. Clindamycin is also used as an experimental treatment for active PCP pneumonia. Clindamycin is used for treatment of skin infections, respiratory tract infections, septicemia, abdominal infections, gynecologic infections, and topical treatment of severe acne.

Side effects
Clindamycin may cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and mild rash. IV administration can cause a bitter taste in the mouth.

Dosage
Clindamycin comes in oral, injection and ointment formulations. The drug does not significantly cross the blood-brain barrier, but it crosses the placenta and enters breast milk. Clindamycin is mostly processed in the liver, so it should not be prescribed if you have liver impairment. Safety of the drug in pregnant or breast feeding women is not established. By mouth, adults are prescribed 150-450 mg every 6 hours. Pills must be taken with meals. Oral solution should not be refrigerated and is stable for 14 days at room temperature. Shake liquid preparations well. You must finish the drug as directed, even if you are feeling better. IV clindamycin is given 300-600 mg every 6-8 hours. Greater than 600 mg is not recommended. Topical clindamycin is applied in a 1% solution twice daily. The solution is flammable, so do not apply while smoking or near heat or flame. Wait 30 minutes after washing or shaving before applying.

How long it may take to work
Improvement should be seen in 2-3 weeks, but may take 8-12 weeks for maximum benefit. If you have toxoplasmosis, long term suppressive therapy is necessary. Improvement when used as treatment for PCP should be seen in 10 days.

Managing side effects
Notify your doctor immediately if diarrhea, abdominal cramping, fever, or bloody stools occur, and do not treat with antidiarrheals without your doctor’s approval.

This information is specific to the use of this medication for HIV-related conditions. For additional information about this drug for other conditions, refer to: www.nursespdr.com/ and www.healthanswers.com/Library/library_fset.asp

The drug descriptions on these pages are intended for informational purposes only. The Network does not promote or endorse the use of any specific treatment for any health-related condition. The medications described here can only be dispensed by a licensed health care professional. The information may have changed since these pages were updated, though every effort is made to keep these pages current. Please contact The Network at (800) 734-7104 to make sure you have the most up-to-date information

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