Antimicrobials
Clindamycin

Clindamycin

High
Excellent
$

General Information

Primary

  • For use in combination for treatment of Group A streptococcus (Streptococcus pyogenes) or Staphylococcus aureus infections causing toxic shock syndrome or necrotizing fasciitis

Alternative

  • Noninvasive MRSA infections, if susceptible, without alternative option such as TMP/SMX or doxycycline
  • Part of combination therapy for Pneumocystis, Toxoplasma
  • Increasing resistance of Bacteroides, metronidazole is the drug of choice in such infections
  • Due to high rates of C. difficile with clindamycin use, clindamycin is not recommended for treatment of infections other than those associated with toxic shock syndrome
  • Monitor for diarrhea
  • C. difficile colitis
  • Cytopenia
  • Abnormal liver enzymes
  • Muscle relaxants, e.g., atracurium, baclofen, diazepam.
  • St. Johns Wort

Antimicrobial class: Lincosamide

Pregnancy category: B

Average serum half life: 2.4 hours

Biliary penetration: Therapeutic

CSF penetration: Poor

Lung penetration: Therapeutic

Urine penetration: Poor