Cleocin (Clindamycin)

Cleocin is used for treating serious infections caused by certain bacteria. It is not used to treat meningitis.

Cleocin is a lincomycin antibiotic. Cleocin kills sensitive bacteria by stopping the production of essential proteins needed by the bacteria to survive.

Do not use Cleocin if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Cleocin or to lincomycin;
• you have antibiotic-associated colitis, Crohn disease, ulcerative colitis, or meningitis.

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have diarrhea, or a history of liver problems or stomach or bowel problems (eg, colitis)
• if you are allergic to tartrazine

• Nondepolarizing muscle relaxants (eg, vecuronium) or succinylcholine because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Cleocin
• Erythromycin because it may decrease Cleocin 's effectiveness

Check with your doctor if any of these most common side effects persist or become bothersome:

• infrequent urination; mild diarrhea; nausea; vomiting.

• severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); severe or continuing diarrhea; severe stomach cramps/pain; stools/diarrhea with mucus or blood; yellowing of skin or eyes.

If you have any questions about Cleocin , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Cleocin is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.

If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.