Prescription Prices That Won't Sting

Drug Details

Clindamycin Phosphate

( Cleocin )

Last Reviewed: Sep 11, 2024

Drug Details

Generic Name:

Clindamycin phosphate

Common Brands:

Cleocin

Availability:

Prescription only

Therapeutic Class:

Lincomycin antibiotics

Forms:

Injection solution

Administration:

By intramuscular or intravenous administration

Therapeutic Uses:

To treat bacterial infections including skin, blood, bones, joints, female reproductive organs, abdominal, and lower respiratory tract infections

Controlled Status:

Not a controlled substance

Clindamycin Phosphate (Cleocin Phosphate) Drug Class

Clindamycin (klin-dah-mye-sin) belongs to a group of drugs called lincomycin antibiotics.

Clindamycin Phosphate (Cleocin Phosphate) Age Range

Clindamycin is approved for use in adults and children.

Uses

Clindamycin Phosphate (Cleocin Phosphate) Uses

Clindamycin is used to treat bacterial infections in many parts of the body, including the lungs, skin, blood, bones, joints, gynecological organs, and abdominal organs.

There may be other uses of clindamycin, such as to treat malaria, anthrax, and toxoplasmosis—your pharmacist or doctor can give you further drug information.

Clindamycin Phosphate (Cleocin Phosphate) Mechanism of Action

Clindamycin blocks bacterial protein synthesis and prevents bacteria from growing.

Clindamycin Phosphate (Cleocin Phosphate) Doses

Cleocin phosphate sterile solution contains 150 mg clindamycin phosphate equivalent per mL of solution. Clindamycin in 0.9% sodium chloride injection is also available for intravenous use. Your healthcare provider will choose the appropriate dosing regimen based on your age and type of infection.

The usual dosing regimens are between 600 mg and 1200 mg per day given in 2-4 divided doses. Doses of 1200 mg to 2700 mg per day can be used for more serious infections. Doses as high as 4800 mg daily have been given intravenously to adults with life-threatening infections.

Note: Clindamycin is available for oral or intravenous administration. The choice between oral or intravenous clindamycin depends on the severity of the infection. Other salts, such as clindamycin hydrochloride for oral or subcutaneous dose and clindamycin palmitate hydrochloride for oral solution are also available.

Directions

How To Use Clindamycin Phosphate (Cleocin Phosphate)

Clindamycin comes in the form of a sterile injection solution that is given intravenously (into a vein) over a period of 10-40 minutes or intramuscularly (into a muscle). Too rapid intravenous administration can cause serious complications such as low blood pressure and cardiovascular collapse.

You may receive clindamycin phosphate IV administration or clindamycin phosphate IM administration in the hospital. Your doctor may also recommend using the medication at home.

Try to take your medication at around the same time(s) every day. This will help you remember to take it and help in keeping serum clindamycin levels maintained.

Read the prescription label carefully and follow your doctor’s dosing instructions. Do not perform a clindamycin dosage modification without your doctor’s approval.

You should start to feel better after taking clindamycin for a few days. Continue antibiotic treatment even if you feel better or your symptoms disappear. Do not skip doses or stop taking the antibiotic until you finish the prescribed course. Tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or get worse.

Your doctor will prescribe clindamycin only for a confirmed or strongly suspected bacterial infection. Antibiotics do not treat viral infections such as the common cold and flu. Taking antibiotics when they are not needed can lead to drug resistance in bacteria and make infections harder to treat in the future.

Missed dose: If you miss a dose of clindamycin phosphate, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose according to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose or extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

Storage: Clindamycin (Cleocin phosphate) room temperature recommendations are storage between 20-25° C or 68-77° F. Store all medications away from moisture, heat, and direct light in their original containers, tightly closed. Do not store medications in the bathroom where they can be exposed to moisture and heat. Keep all medications safely out of reach of children and pets.

Unused medicine: Unused and expired clindamycin should be disposed of in a way that children, other people, and pets cannot get to it. Do not throw clindamycin in the trash or flush it down the toilet. The best way to dispose of expired or unneeded clindamycin is through a drug take-back program or your local waste disposal company. Learn more about proper medication disposal.

NOTE: This medication guide is a summary and may not contain all possible drug information on clindamycin. The information contained here may not be up-to-date. This sheet is for information purposes only. If you have questions about clindamycin, talk to your doctor for medical advice.

Discounted prices for clindamycin phosphate (Cleocin Phosphate)
start at $27.12.

Get your FREE BuzzRx card and
start saving today!

CHECK PRICES

Side Effects

Clindamycin Phosphate (Cleocin Phosphate) Side Effects

Possible side effects of clindamycin are listed below. Call your doctor for medical advice if they are severe or if they do not go away in a few days.

Pain, hardness, or a soft bump at the injection site
Metallic or unpleasant taste
Nausea
Vomiting
Joint pain
White patches in the mouth
Swelling, pain, burning, or itching in the vagina
Thick, white vaginal discharge

Sometimes, clindamycin can cause more serious side effects. Call your doctor right away or seek emergency medical attention if you develop:

Skin rash, hives, itching, peeling, or blistering skin
Hoarseness
Difficulty breathing or swallowing
Swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue, throat, hands, feet, lower legs, or ankles
Decreased urination
Yellowing of the skin or eyes

The above list may not include all the potential side effects of clindamycin. Contact your healthcare provider if your side effects are unusual or severe or they do not get better over time. You can also report unusual side effects to the Food and Drug Administration at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Clindamycin phosphate Overdose: In case of an overdose of clindamycin, call your doctor immediately. You can also call your local poison control center, provincial poison control center, or the national poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Call 911 or emergency services if a person has collapsed, stopped breathing, had a seizure, or is not responding.

Source: FDA

Warnings

Clindamycin Phosphate (Cleocin Phosphate) Risks, Warnings, and Complications

Clindamycin can cause or worsen health problems in some people. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other treatment options if you are at a higher risk of adverse effects from this drug.

CLOSTRIDIOIDES DIFFICILE ASSOCIATED DIARRHEA (CDAD): Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD) or antibiotic associated pseudomembranous colitis is a complication associated with all antibacterial agents including clindamycin. It occurs due to changes in the normal gut microbiome leading to overgrowth of C. difficile bacteria which produce toxins. CDAD can range from mild diarrhea to potentially fatal Clostridioides difficile colitis.
Gastrointestinal pseudomembranous colitis symptoms can occur over two months after taking antibiotics. Seek emergency medical care if you develop diarrhea any time after antibiotic use. Treatment for CDAD consists of appropriate antibiotics that are effective against C. difficile, fluid and electrolyte management, and protein supplementation.
Note: There are less toxic antimicrobial agents available and antibiotic therapy with clindamycin is considered only for serious infections.
SEVERE HYPERSENSITIVITY REACTIONS: There are reports of severe allergic reactions after clindamycin use. These include anaphylactic shock (throat closing) and severe skin reactions such as drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), and Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), which can be fatal.
Stop taking clindamycin and seek emergency medical care in case you develop signs and symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling of the face or throat, difficulty breathing, or skin peeling and blistering.
BENZYL ALCOHOL TOXICITY (GASPING SYNDROME) IN NEWBORNS: Clindamycin phosphate IV and IM solution contains a preservative called benzyl alcohol. This chemical can cause a condition called "gasping syndrome" which can be fatal in newborn babies. Symptoms include gasping for breath, low blood pressure, slow heart rate, and cardiovascular collapse.
The risk of this complication is related to the quantity of medication given to the baby and the ability of the liver and kidneys to metabolize benzyl alcohol. Infants that are premature or low birth weight are therefore at a higher risk of developing gasping syndrome after clindamycin IV or IM administration.
KIDNEY INJURY: Clindamycin is potentially nephrotoxic and can damage the kidneys. There are case reports of acute kidney injury after clindamycin administration. Your doctor will monitor your kidney function carefully, especially if you have pre-existing kidney problems or are taking other drugs that are also nephrotoxic (harmful to the kidneys). Keep all your medical and laboratory appointments during antibiotic treatment.
USE IN MENINGITIS: Clindamycin does not cross into the cerebrospinal fluid and should not be used to treat meningitis (infection and inflammation of the tissues surrounding the brain and spinal cord).

Precautions Before Starting Clindamycin Phosphate (Cleocin Phosphate)

Tell your doctor if you are allergic to clindamycin, lincomycin, any of the active or inactive ingredients in clindamycin formulations, other antibiotics, or any other drugs. Your pharmacy can give you a list of ingredients.

Give your doctor and pharmacist a complete list of all your medications, including prescription medications, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, supplements, and herbal products. This can help avoid possible interactions.

Give your doctor a complete medical history. Clindamycin may not be safe for people with certain medical conditions. Be sure to mention if you have asthma, allergies, eczema, and renal or hepatic disease (kidney or liver disease).

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, could be pregnant, plan to get pregnant soon, or are nursing an infant with human breast milk.

Precautions During Use of Clindamycin Phosphate (Cleocin Phosphate)

Keep all your medical and lab appointments while on clindamycin.

Tell your doctor if you become pregnant during clindamycin therapy.

Tell all your doctors you are on clindamycin before any surgery, including dental procedures.

Clindamycin Phosphate (Cleocin Phosphate) Drug Interactions

Clindamycin can interact with certain other drugs, and this can alter clindamycin pharmacokinetics and affect how well it works. Concurrent clindamycin therapy with other medicines can also increase the risk of severe adverse effects. Clindamycin has possible interactions with the following medications:

Other antibiotics such as erythromycin (E-Mycin, Erythrocin, E.E.S.) and clarithromycin (Biaxin, in PrevPac)
Medications prescribed for HIV such as indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), and ritonavir (Norvir, in Kaletra)
Antifungal agents such as itraconazole (Sporanox) and ketoconazole (Nizoral)
Antidepressants such as nefazodone
Medications used to treat tuberculosis such as rifampin (Rimactane, Rifadin, in Rifamate, in Rifater)

The above list may not describe all the potential interactions of clindamycin. Give your doctor or pharmacist a complete list of your medications, including prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, dietary supplements, and herbal remedies. Also, tell your healthcare professional if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use recreational drugs because some of these substances can cause serious health complications when used with prescription medications.

Pros & Cons

Clindamycin Phosphate (Cleocin Phosphate) Pros and Cons

pros header.svg

Clindamycin is effective against infections caused by bacteria in many parts of the body.
There is a lower-cost generic version available.
It is a treatment option for people with a penicillin allergy.

cons header.svg

You may need to take clindamycin up to 4 times a day.
Clindamycin is not effective in treating clinical infections caused by viruses, such as the common cold and flu.
Prescribing Cleocin phosphate (clindamycin phosphate) is reserved for severe infections due to the risk of antibiotic associated diarrhea.

Pharmacist Tips

Clindamycin Phosphate (Cleocin Phosphate) Tips from Pharmacists

It is common to notice an unpleasant or metallic taste in your mouth during Cleocin phosphate therapy. This is temporary and usually goes away after you finish treatment.
Complete the treatment course with clindamycin even if you are feeling better. Stopping treatment too soon can cause your infection to come back and be harder to treat in the future.
Do not use clindamycin to treat upper respiratory tract infections such as the common cold or flu. These are caused by viruses and do not respond to antibiotics.
Seek emergency medical care if you develop severe watery or bloody diarrhea after antibacterial treatment with clindamycin. This can occur 2 months or more after you finish your antibiotic course.
A serious allergic reaction is rare but potentially fatal. Discontinue Cleocin phosphate and seek emergency medical care if you develop swelling, difficulty breathing, or skin peeling or blistering.

Rx Savings Tips

Clindamycin Phosphate (Cleocin Phosphate) Rx Savings Tips

Clindamycin is a generic medication and is available at significantly lower prices than the brand name. Brand name Cleocin and generic clindamycin contain the same medicine and are equally effective and safe. Like with most medications, the generic version offers better value. A BuzzRx clindamycin coupon can result in big savings on the brand name and generic forms of the drug. With a BuzzRx discount card, savings card, or discount coupons, the medication could cost you a fraction of retail prices. Clindamycin may be under $27.50 for one bottle of lotion of the 60 ml of 1% dose at Walmart, Walgreens, Rite Aid, CVS Pharmacy, and other participating pharmacies with a BuzzRx discount card or free coupon. For the biggest discounts on clindamycin, give the checkout clerk your BuzzRx clindamycin discount coupon when you drop off your prescriptions.

Lowest Price for Clindamycin Phosphate (Cleocin Phosphate)

Brand
$37.46

Generic
$27.12

VIEW DISCOUNTS
Pricing based on most commonly-filled versions. Select the strength and quantity of your medication for the most accurate pricing.

Common Questions

Common Questions about Clindamycin Phosphate (Cleocin Phosphate)

Is clindamycin a penicillin?

No, clindamycin is not a penicillin. It is a lincomycin antibiotic. People who have a penicillin allergy can safely take clindamycin.

Is clindamycin used for UTI?

Clindamycin is not usually prescribed to treat UTI (urinary tract infection). There are other antibiotics that are more effective for this type of infection.

How long does it take clindamycin to work?

You should notice an improvement in your symptoms 1-2 days after starting clindamycin therapy. Do not stop taking the antibiotic, even if you feel better until you finish the prescribed amount.

Can I drink alcohol while on clindamycin?

It is best to avoid drinking alcohol while on clindamycin. Alcohol can make certain side effects worse and also make it harder for your body to fight the infection.

Is clindamycin safe for pregnant women?

Clindamycin is generally considered safe during pregnancy. However, before starting any new medication, always tell your doctor if you are pregnant, could be pregnant, or are planning a pregnancy soon.

What is the price of clindamycin without insurance?

Without insurance, clindamycin can be as high as $86.79, but with a free BuzzRx prescription discount coupon, you could pay as low as $27.12 for the most common version of this medication. Use the BuzzRx drug price look-up tool to find the lowest discounted price, and be sure to enter the correct dosage, form, and quantity for the most accurate pricing. While generics tend to have the best savings, you can also use your BuzzRx card and coupons to purchase brand-name versions. It never hurts to ask your pharmacist to try BuzzRx when filling or refilling any of your prescription drugs—whether you have insurance or not.

What is the price of clindamycin with insurance?

Ask your pharmacist or insurance provider for your copay price on clindamycin—Copay amounts vary depending on the type of insurance plan you have and if there is a deductible to reach before prescription drug coverage begins.

You could save up to 80% on your prescription medication with a free BuzzRx discount coupon for clindamycin. When using the BuzzRx lookup tool to find the price of your medicine, be sure to enter the correct dosage, form, and quantity to receive the most accurate discounted pricing. It never hurts to ask your pharmacist to try BuzzRx when filling or refilling any of your prescriptions—whether you have insurance or not.