Clindamycin Phosphate for Injection

IMPORTANT WARNING:
Clindamycin may cause colitis. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: severe persistent diarrhea, severe stomach cramps, or bloody stool.

About your treatment
Your doctor has ordered clindamycin, an antibiotic, to help treat your infection. The drug will be either injected into a large muscle (such as your buttock or hip) or added to an intravenous fluid that will drip through a needle or catheter placed in your vein for 30 minutes, two to four times a day.

Clindamycin eliminates bacteria that cause many kinds of infections, including pneumonia, and gynecological, skin, stomach, and blood infections. This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Your health care provider (doctor, nurse, or pharmacist) may measure the effectiveness and side effects of your treatment using laboratory tests and physical examinations. It is important to keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. The length of treatment depends on how your infection and symptoms respond to the medication.

Precautions
Before administering clindamycin,

  • tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to clindamycin, lincomycin (Lincocin), or any other drugs.
  • tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially antibiotics and vitamins.
  • tell your doctor if you have or have ever had asthma or gastrointestinal, liver, or kidney disease.
  • tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking clindamycin, call your doctor.

Administering your medication

It is important that you use your medication exactly as directed. Do not stop your therapy on your own for any reason because your infection could worsen and result in hospitalization. Do not change your dosing schedule without talking to your health care provider. Your health care provider may tell you to stop your infusion if you have a mechanical problem (such as a blockage in the tubing, needle, or catheter); if you have to stop an infusion, call your health care provider immediately so your therapy can continue.

Side effects
Although side effects from clindamycin are not common, they can occur. Tell your health care provider if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

  • upset stomach
  • vomiting
  • gas
  • diarrhea

If you experience any of the following symptoms in addition to the symptoms listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your health care provider immediately:

  • skin rash
  • itching
  • fever
Storing your medication
  • Your health care provider probably will give you several days supply of clindamycin. If you are receiving clindamycin intravenously (in your vein), you probably will be told to store it in the refrigerator or freezer.
  • Take your next dose from the refrigerator 1 hour before using it; place it in a clean, dry area to allow it to warm to room temperature.
  • If you are told to store additional clindamycin in the freezer, always move a 24-hour supply to the refrigerator for the next day's use.
  • Do not refreeze medications.
If you are receiving clindamycin intramuscularly (in your muscle), your health care provider will tell you how to store it properly.

Store your medication only as directed. Make sure you understand what you need to store your medication properly.

Keep your supplies in a clean, dry place when you are not using them, and keep all medications and supplies out of reach of children. Your health care provider will tell you how to throw away used needles, syringes, tubing, and containers to avoid accidental injury.

In case of emergency/overdose
In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

Signs of infection
You should be aware of the symptoms of infection in case your infection worsens or a new infection develops. If you notice any of the following symptoms, tell your health care provider as soon as possible:

  • feverun
  • usual tiredness or weakness
  • chills
  • shaking
  • nighttime sweating
  • loss of appetite
If you are receiving clindamycin in your vein or under your skin, you need to know the symptoms of a catheter-related infection (an infection where the needle enters your vein or skin). If you experience any of these effects near your intravenous catheter, tell your health care provider as soon as possible:
  • tenderness
  • warmth
  • irritation
  • drainage
  • redness
  • swelling
  • pain
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