Clindamycin Side Effects

Clindamycin side effects vary based on the particular formulation you are using. Clindamycin comes as a topical solution and cream which can be used for such conditions as acne and rosacea. The suppositories are used to treat certain types of vaginal infections whilst the injectable solution and capsule forms are used to treat a myriad other systemic infections.

Clindamycin does come with a black box warning - it has been associated with a condition known as "Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea (CDAD)"... sounds ominous doesn't it?

The truth is that just about every antibiotic has been known to cause CDAD and the severity can range anywhere from mild diarrhea to fatal colitis. The reason happens is because when you take antibiotics, they clean out both the "bad bacteria" as well as your normal flora a.k.a. the "good bacteria" from your colon... this in turn allows an overgrowth of the bacteria "Clostridium difficile" or C.Difficile for short, to take place.

Clindamycin has been known to cause a severe form of colitis which can be fatal. It is for this exact reason that the systemic forms of this medication i.e. the capsules and intravenous injection, should only be used for serious infections when other less toxic antibiotics are not effective.

Clindamycin Side Effects (Systemic i.e. oral or injectable infusion)

• Abdominal pain
• Abnormalities in liver function tests
• Diarrhea
• Esophagitis - inflammation and irritation of the esophagus/esophageal lining
• Jaundice
• Nausea
• Pruritus - itching
• Pseudomembranous colitis
• Skin rashes
• Urticaria - hives
• Vaginitis - a type of vaginal infection
• Vesiculobullous rashes - a type of severe rash
• Vomiting

Rare

• Agranulocytosis - a severe drop in the white blood cell count
• Anaphylactoid reactions - a type of major allergic reaction
• Azotemia - high level of nitrogen and nitrogenous substances (which normally should be excreted in the urine) in the blood
• Eosinophilia - a type of low white blood cell count
• Erythema multiforme (some resembling Stevens-Johnson syndrome) - a type of severe skin reaction
• Exfoliative dermatitis - scaling off of the skin
• Oliguria - less than normal amount of urine
• Polyarthritis - arthritis that occurs in more than one joint
• Proteinuria - presence of protein in the urine
• Thrombocytopenia - abnormally low blood platelet count
• Transient neutropenia (leukopenia) - a type of low white blood cell count

Clindamycin Side Effects (Vaginal Cream)

In addition to the side effects of clindamycin already listed above, the following side effects have also been observed in connection with the use of clindamycin vaginal cream:

Non-Pregnant Women (Common)

• Moniliasis - a type of fungal infection
• Trichomonal vaginitis - a type of bacterial infection
• Vaginal moniliasis - a type of vaginal yeast (fungal) infection
• Vulvovaginal disorder
• Vulvovaginitis

Non-Pregnant Women (Rare)

• Abdominal cramps
• Abdominal pain
• Allergic reaction
• Bacterial infection
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Dyspepsia
• Endometriosis
• Epistaxis - nosebleeds
• Erythema - skin redness
• Flatulence - gas
• Fungal infection
• Gastrointestinal disorder
• Halitosis - bad breath
• Headache
• Hyperthyroidism
• Inflammatory swelling
• Maculopapular rash - a type of skin rash
• Menstrual disorder
• Metrorrhagia - spotting or vaginal bleeding in-between regular menstrual periods
• Moniliasis - a type of fungal infection
• Nausea
• Pruritus (non-application site) - itching at a site other than the application site
• Rash
• Taste perversion
• Urinary tract infection
• Urticaria - hives
• Vaginal discharge
• Vaginal pain
• Vaginitis/vaginal infection
• Vertigo
• Vomiting

Pregnant Women (Common)

• Abnormal labor
• Fungal infection
• Pruritus (non-application site)
• Vaginal moniliasis - a type of vaginal yeast (fungal) infection
• Vulvovaginal disorder

Pregnant Women (Rare)

• Dysuria - painful urination
• Erythema
• Metrorrhagia - spotting or vaginal bleeding in-between regular menstrual periods
• Pruritus (topical application site) - itching at a site other than the application site
• Trichomonal vaginitis - a type of bacterial infection
• Upper respiratory infection
• Vaginal pain

Clindamycin Side Effects (Vaginal Suppositories)

• Fungal infection
• Vaginal moniliasis - a type of vaginal yeast (fungal) infection
• Vaginal pain
• Vulvovaginal disorder

Rare

• Abdominal cramps
• Abdominal pain
• Application-site pain
• Application-site pruritis (itching)
• Diarrhea
• Dysuria - painful urination
• Fever
• Flank pain
• Generalized pain
• Headache
• Localized edema - swelling due to fluid retention
• Menstrual disorder
• Moniliasis - a type of fungal infection
• Nausea
• Non-application site pruritis itching
• Pyelonephritis - kidney infection
• Rash
• Vaginal discharge
• Vaginitis/vaginal infection
• Vomiting

Clindamycin Side Effects (Topical Cream & Solution)

• Abdominal pain
• Contact dermatitis - a type of itchy skin rash
• Diarrhea (and sometimes even bloody diarrhea)
• Gastrointestinal disturbances
• Gram-negative folliculitis - infection of the hair follicle
• Irritation
• Oily Skin
• Sensitization
• Severe colitis
• Skin dryness
• Stinging of the eye(s)

Symptoms then, are in reality nothing but
the cry from suffering organs.
- Jean-Martin Charcot

Drug Manufacturer Information

Pharmacia & Upjohn Co. (Division of Pfizer)
235 East 42nd Street
New York, NY 10017
212-733-2323
And various other generic product manufacturers

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March 11, 2010