A lincosamide antibiotic
Clindamycin
An antibiotic used for certain bacterial infections, including some skin, soft-tissue, dental and bone infections.
What is Clindamycin?
Clindamycin is a lincosamide antibiotic. It treats certain bacterial infections — including some serious skin, soft-tissue, dental and bone infections — and is sometimes used when penicillins are unsuitable. An important caution is that, like many antibiotics, it can occasionally cause severe diarrhoea (Clostridioides difficile), which needs prompt medical advice.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Clindamycin — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.
What it is
Clindamycin is a lincosamide antibiotic used in the UK for a range of bacterial infections. It is often chosen for some skin and soft-tissue, dental and bone or joint infections, and it can be an option when penicillins are unsuitable, for example because of allergy. It comes as capsules and as a hospital injection, and there are also skin preparations used for acne.
How it works
Clindamycin works by stopping bacteria from making the proteins they need to grow and multiply. Without these proteins the bacteria cannot survive and spread, which lets the infection clear. It is active against several types of bacteria, including some that cause serious skin and deep-seated infections. It treats bacterial infections only and has no effect on viruses such as colds or flu.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: A widely used antibiotic.
A lincosamide antibiotic used in the UK for certain bacterial infections, including some skin, dental and bone infections.
Practical use
How to take Clindamycin
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- Take it for the full course as prescribed, even if you feel better, and do not stop early.
- Swallow the capsules with a full glass of water to help avoid throat irritation.
- Stop the medicine and seek urgent advice if you get severe, watery or bloody diarrhoea — this can be a serious bowel infection.
- Report any rash, difficulty breathing or swelling, as these can signal an allergic reaction.
- If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is nearly time for the next; do not take a double dose.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Clindamycin
Advantages
- Effective against several bacteria that cause skin, dental and bone or joint infections.
- Can be a useful option for people who cannot take penicillins.
- Available as capsules and an injection, allowing treatment in different settings.
Disadvantages
- Carries a notable risk of severe antibiotic-associated diarrhoea (C. difficile).
- Can cause digestive upset and, occasionally, allergic or skin reactions.
- Like all antibiotics, overuse can contribute to antibiotic resistance.
Practical use
Good to know
It is important to complete the full course of clindamycin even if you feel better quickly, so the infection is fully treated and resistance is less likely. The most important safety point is that, like many antibiotics, it can occasionally cause a serious bowel infection (Clostridioides difficile) leading to severe, ongoing or bloody diarrhoea. If you develop severe diarrhoea — especially with blood or mucus, fever or tummy pain — stop the medicine and seek urgent medical advice. It is best taken with a full glass of water, and staying well hydrated helps. Tell your team about any other medicines you take so interactions can be checked.
Who should not take it / use with caution
- People who have had a serious allergic reaction to clindamycin or lincomycin should not take it.
- Used with caution in people with a history of bowel disease, such as colitis, because of the C. difficile risk.
- Used carefully in those with significant liver problems, and in pregnancy or breastfeeding only when clearly needed.
Monitoring
- Response of the infection and whether symptoms are improving.
- Any sign of severe diarrhoea, which must be acted on quickly.
- Blood counts and liver function with longer or repeated courses.
Side effects
- Diarrhoea, nausea and tummy upset are common; severe or bloody diarrhoea needs urgent attention.
- Skin rashes and, rarely, more serious allergic or skin reactions.
- Occasionally changes in blood counts or liver tests with longer treatment.
Key interactions
- It can interact with certain muscle-relaxant medicines used during surgery, so anaesthetists should know you take it.
- Other medicines that can cause diarrhoea or affect the gut may add to bowel side effects.
- Check with a pharmacist before combining it with other medicines, including those bought over the counter.
Available as: Capsules; also a solution/injection used in hospital and topical forms for acne.
Answers
Clindamycin: frequently asked questions
What is clindamycin used for?
It treats certain bacterial infections, including some skin and soft-tissue, dental and bone or joint infections. It can be an option when penicillins are unsuitable. It does not work against viruses such as colds or flu.
Why does clindamycin carry a diarrhoea warning?
Like many antibiotics, it can upset the natural balance of bacteria in the gut and occasionally allow a harmful bacterium (Clostridioides difficile) to overgrow, causing severe diarrhoea. If you get severe, watery or bloody diarrhoea, stop the medicine and seek urgent advice.
Should I finish the whole course?
Yes — complete the full course even if you feel better, so the infection is fully cleared and resistance is less likely. Stopping early can let the infection return and become harder to treat.
Can I take clindamycin if I am allergic to penicillin?
Often yes — clindamycin is not a penicillin, so it can be a useful alternative for some infections. Always tell your team about your allergy so they choose the right antibiotic for you.
Is clindamycin the same as the acne cream Dalacin?
They contain the same antibiotic, but the skin preparations are applied to the skin for acne, while the capsules and injection treat infections in the body. They are used very differently, so follow the instructions for the form you have been given.
The wider class
About Lincosamide antibiotics
Clindamycin belongs to the lincosamide antibiotics class. For how the class as a whole works, its shared safety principles and monitoring, see the full guide.
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Authoritative sources
- BNF
- NICE CKS
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