Clindamycin

pronounced as(klin'' da mye' sin)

Why is this medication prescribed?

lindamycin is used to treat certain types of bacterial infections, including infections of the lungs, skin,
blood, female reproductive organs. Clindamycin is in a class of medications called lincomycin
antibiotics. It works by slowing or stopping the growth of bacteria. Antibiotics such as clindamycin will
not kill the viruses that cause colds, flu, and other infections.

Usual Adult Dose for Bacterial Infection

Oral:
Serious infection: 150 to 300 mg orally every 6 hours
More severe infection: 300 to 450 mg orally every 6 hours
Parenteral:
Serious infection: 600 to 1,200 mg via IV infusion or IM injection per day, in 2 to 4 equally divided
doses
Severe infection: 1,200 to 2,700 mg via IV infusion or IM injection per day, in 2 to 4 equally
divided doses
More severe infection: Up to 4,800 mg via IV infusion per day
Comments:
-A single IM injection greater than 600 mg is not recommended
-A single 1 hour IV infusion greater than 1,200 mg is not recommended

Usual Pediatric Dose for Bacterial Infection

Oral:
Body weight 10 kg or less:
Minimum recommended dose: 37.5 mg orally three times a day
Body weight 11 kg or more:
Serious infection: 8 to 12 mg/kg orally per day, in 3 to 4 equally divided doses
Severe infection: 13 to 16 mg/kg orally per day, in 3 to 4 equally divided doses
More severe infection: 17 to 25 mg/kg orally per day, in 3 to 4 equally divided doses
An alternate regimen:
Serious infection: 8 to 16 mg/kg orally per day, in 3 to 4 equally divided doses
More severe infection: 16 to 20 mg/kg orally per day, in 3 to 4 equally divided doses
Parenteral:
Up to 1 month of age: 15 to 20 mg/kg via IV infusion per day in 3 to 4 equally divided doses; the
lower dose may be sufficient for small premature neonates.

1 month to 16 years:
Body weight dosing: 20 to 40 mg/kg via IV infusion or IM injection per day, in 3 to 4 equally
divided doses. The higher doses would be used for more severe infections
17 years or older: Usual adult dose
Duration: At least 10 days for beta-hemolytic streptococcal infections
Comments:
-A single IM injection greater than 600 mg is not recommended
-A single 1 hour IV infusion greater than 1,200 mg is not recommended
Uses:
Serious infections caused by susceptible organisms:
-Staphylococci, streptococci, and pneumococci, including serious respiratory tract infections and
skin and soft tissue infections
-Anaerobes, including serious respiratory tract infections, serious skin and soft tissue infections,
septicemia, intraabdominal infections, and infections of the female pelvis and genital tract.
-Bone and joint infections including acute hematogenous osteomyelitis caused by
Staphylococcus aureus and as adjunctive therapy in the surgical treatment of chronic bone and
joint infections