CLINDAMYCIN HYDROCHLORIDE

Clindamycin hydrochloride is the hydrated hydrochloride salt of clindamycin. Clindamycin is a semisynthetic antibiotic produced by a 7(S)-chloro-substitution of the 7(R)-hydroxyl group of the parent compound lincomycin. Clindamycin Hydrochloride Capsules, USP contain clindamycin hydrochloride equivalent to 75 mg, 150 mg, or 300 mg of clindamycin. Inactive ingredients: 75 mg - lactose monohydrate, corn starch, magnesium stearate, talc, D&C Yellow No. 10, FD&C Green No. 3, and gelatin; 150 mg - lactose monohydrate, corn starch, magnesium stearate, talc, D&C Yellow No. 10, FD&C Green No. 3, D&C Red No. 33, FD&C Blue No. 1, titanium dioxide, and gelatin; 300 mg - lactose monohydrate, corn starch, magnesium stearate, talc, D&C Red No. 33, FD&C Blue No. 1, FD&C Green No. 3, titanium dioxide, and gelatin. The capsule imprinting ink contains: shellac glaze in ethanol, ferrosoferric oxide, propylene glycol, FD&C Blue #2, FD&C Red #40, D&C Yellow #10 and FD&C Blue #1. The structural formula is represented below: The chemical name for clindamycin hydrochloride is Methyl 7-chloro-6,7,8-trideoxy-6-(1-methyl- trans -4-propyl-L-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamido)-1-thio-L- threo -α-D- galacto -octopyranoside monohydrochloride. image description

Clindamycin is indicated in the treatment of serious infections caused by susceptible anaerobic bacteria. Clindamycin is also indicated in the treatment of serious infections due to susceptible strains of streptococci, pneumococci, and staphylococci. Its use should be reserved for penicillin-allergic patients or other patients for whom, in the judgment of the physician, a penicillin is inappropriate. Because of the risk of colitis, as described in the BOXED WARNING , before selecting clindamycin, the physician should consider the nature of the infection and the suitability of less toxic alternatives (e.g., erythromycin). Anaerobes: Serious respiratory tract infections such as empyema, anaerobic pneumonitis, and lung abscess; serious skin and soft tissue infections; septicemia; intra-abdominal infections such as peritonitis and intra-abdominal abscess (typically resulting from anaerobic organisms resident in the normal gastrointestinal tract); infections of the female pelvis and genital tract such as endometritis, nongonococcal tubo-ovarian abscess, pelvic cellulitis, and postsurgical vaginal cuff infection. Streptococci : Serious respiratory tract infections; serious skin and soft tissue infections. Staphylococci : Serious respiratory tract infections; serious skin and soft tissue infections. Pneumococci : Serious respiratory tract infections. Bacteriologic studies should be performed to determine the causative organisms and their susceptibility to clindamycin. To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of clindamycin HCl and other antibacterial drugs, clindamycin HCl capsules should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria. When culture and susceptibility information are available, they should be considered in selecting or modifying antibacterial therapy. In the absence of such data, local epidemiology and susceptibility patterns may contribute to the empiric selection of therapy.

If significant diarrhea occurs during therapy, this antibiotic should be discontinued (see BOXED WARNING ). Adults : Serious infections - 150 to 300 mg every 6 hours. More severe infections - 300 to 450 mg every 6 hours. Pediatric Patients (for children who are able to swallow capsules) : Serious infections - 8 to 16 mg/kg/day (4 to 8 mg/lb/day) divided into three or four equal doses. More severe infections - 16 to 20 mg/kg/day (8 to 10 mg/lb/day) divided into three or four equal doses. Clindamycin should be dosed based on total body weight regardless of obesity. To avoid the possibility of esophageal irritation, clindamycin HCl capsules should be taken with a full glass of water. Clindamycin HCl capsules are not suitable for children who are unable to swallow them whole. The capsules do not provide exact mg/kg doses therefore it may be necessary to use the clindamycin palmitate oral solution in some cases. Serious infections due to anaerobic bacteria are usually treated with clindamycin injection. However, in clinically appropriate circumstances, the physician may elect to initiate treatment or continue treatment with clindamycin HCl capsules. In cases of β-hemolytic streptococcal infections, treatment should continue for at least 10 days.

Clindamycin HCl is contraindicated in individuals with a history of hypersensitivity to preparations containing clindamycin or lincomycin.

The following reactions have been reported with the use of clindamycin. Infections and Infestations : Clostridioides difficile colitis Gastrointestinal : Abdominal pain, pseudomembranous colitis, esophagitis, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea (see BOXED WARNING ). The onset of pseudomembranous colitis symptoms may occur during or after antibacterial treatment (see BOXED WARNING ). Esophageal ulcer has been reported. An unpleasant or metallic taste has been reported after oral administration. Hypersensitivity Reactions : Generalized mild to moderate morbilliform-like (maculopapular) skin rashes are the most frequently reported adverse reactions. Vesiculobullous rashes, as well as urticaria, have been observed during drug therapy. Severe skin reactions such as Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis, some with fatal outcome, have been reported (see WARNINGS ). Cases of Acute Generalized Exanthematous Pustulosis (AGEP), erythema multiforme, some resembling Stevens-Johnson syndrome, anaphylactic shock, anaphylactic reaction and hypersensitivity have also been reported. Skin and Mucous Membranes : Pruritus, vaginitis, angioedema and rare instances of exfoliative dermatitis have been reported (See Hypersensitivity Reactions ). Liver : Jaundice and abnormalities in liver function tests have been observed during clindamycin therapy. Renal : Acute kidney injury (see WARNINGS ). Hematopoietic : Transient neutropenia (leukopenia) and eosinophilia have been reported. Reports of agranulocytosis and thrombocytopenia have been made. No direct etiologic relationship to concurrent clindamycin therapy could be made in any of the foregoing. Immune System : Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) cases have been reported. Musculoskeletal : Cases of polyarthritis have been reported.