how many days is a course of oral clindamycin

by Bobby Wintheiser 9 min read

How much should I take? You'll likely be prescribed a seven-day course of clindamycin for a tooth infection. On each of those seven days, you'll likely need to take a dose every six hours or so.Feb 14, 2019

What is the dosage for oral clindamycin?

The recommended dose for adults for serious infections is 150 to 450 mg every 6 to 8 hours up to a maximum dose of 1.8 grams per day. For pediatric patients the recommended dose is 8 to 20 mg/kg/day divided into 3 or 4 equal doses. To avoid throat irritation, clindamycin should be taken with a full glass of water.

What is oral clindamycin and how does it work?

 · A course of treatment usually lasts for a week or so, although it will be for longer than this if you are taking clindamycin for a bone infection. If you still feel unwell after finishing …

Is it safe to take clindamycin every 8 hours?

 · One suppository pill contains 100 mg of clindamycin. People can use this form once daily at bedtime for 3 consecutive nights. Dosage for topical gels and lotions Doctors …

How soon after starting clindamycin will my symptoms improve?

If it is an infected tooth, it usually take a three day course of Antibiotics to start showing effect. So you will start to feel better by the end of day 3 of the course, but by what you have mentioned, it …

How long is a course of clindamycin?

This is to prevent the infection from coming back. A course of treatment usually lasts for a week or so, although it will be for longer than this if you are taking clindamycin for a bone infection. If you still feel unwell after finishing the course of treatment, go back to see your doctor.

How many days do you give clindamycin?

To help clear up your infection completely, keep using this medicine for the full time of treatment, even if you begin to feel better after a few days. If you have a "strep'' infection, you should keep using this medicine for at least 10 days. This is especially important in "strep" infections.

What is a normal course of clindamycin?

Adults—150 to 300 milligrams (mg) every 6 hours. For more severe infections, 300 to 450 mg every 6 hours.

Can I take clindamycin for 7 days?

Use clindamycin cream exactly as your doctor tells you to. It is for use in the vagina only. Use one applicatorful (approximately 5 grams) of cream in the vagina at bedtime. Your doctor will tell you how many days you should use the cream for - a course of treatment usually lasts for 3-7 consecutive days.

Can you take clindamycin for 10 days?

Patients should take this medication exactly as directed by their doctor. Adults can anticipate taking 150-300 mg orally every six hours, or with a more severe infection, 300-450 mg every six hours. Treatment should last 7-10 days depending on the prescription and severity of infection.

Is clindamycin 300 mg a strong antibiotic?

Official Answer. Clindamycin is a strong broad-spectrum antibiotic, typically prescribed for serious infections, such as life-threatening methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) skin infections.

How many days should you take clindamycin 150 mg?

Adult: 150-450 mg orally every 6 hours for at least 7 days; not to exceed 1.8 g/day, OR. 600-900 mg IV every 8 hours.

Can I take clindamycin 3 times a day instead of 4?

Clindamycin comes as a capsule and a solution (liquid) to take by mouth. It is usually taken three to four times a day. The length of your treatment depends on the type of infection you have and how well you respond to the medication. Take clindamycin at around the same times every day.

What is clindamycin 300 mg used to treat?

Clindamycin capsules are white/white hard capsules with a marking of 'CLIN 300' on the capsule body. Clindamycin is indicated for the treatment of: Serious infections caused by anaerobic bacteria, including intra-abdominal infections, skin and soft tissue infections.

How long does it take clindamycin to work for bacterial infection?

Once you start taking clindamycin, you'll likely notice an improvement in your symptoms after a day or two. If your symptoms aren't improving at all or seem to be getting worse after taking clindamycin for a few days, follow up with your healthcare provider.

Does clindamycin treat abscess tooth?

The most commonly used medication to treat tooth infections is penicillin antibiotics. But, if you are allergic to penicillin antibiotics or they don't work for you, Clindamycin can be useful. Clindamycin can fight many types of bacteria, making it effective for tooth infections that involve a collection of bacteria.

Why should you not lie down after taking clindamycin?

You should avoid lying down after taking the antibiotic clindamycin because it may prolong the time it takes for the medication to move through your esophagus into your stomach, potentially irritating your esophagus.

Does clindamycin cause C difficile?

Treatment with antibacterial agents alters the normal flora of the colon leading to overgrowth of C difficile. -Because clindamycin therapy has been associated with severe colitis which may end fatally, it should be reserved for serious infections where less toxic antimicrobial agents are inappropriate.

Is clindamycin used for anaerobic infections?

Usual Adult Dose for Bacterial Infection. -In the treatment of anaerobic infections, parenteral clindamycin should be used initially and then patients changed to oral therapy when clinically appropriate.

Can clindamycin cause diarrhea?

US BOXED WARNING (S):#N#-Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea (CDAD) has been reported with the use of nearly all antibacterial agents, including clindamycin and may range in severity from mild diarrhea to fatal colitis. Treatment with antibacterial agents alters the normal flora of the colon leading to overgrowth of C difficile.#N#-Because clindamycin therapy has been associated with severe colitis which may end fatally, it should be reserved for serious infections where less toxic antimicrobial agents are inappropriate. It should not be used in patients with nonbacterial infections such as most upper respiratory tract infections.#N#-C difficile produces toxins A and B which contribute to the development of CDAD. Hypertoxin producing strains of C difficile cause increased morbidity and mortality, as these infections can be refractory to antimicrobial therapy and may require colectomy. CDAD must be considered in all patients who present with diarrhea following antibiotic use.#N#-Careful medical history is necessary since CDAD has been reported to occur over two months after the administration of antibacterial agents. If CDAD is suspected or confirmed, ongoing antibiotic use not directed against C difficile may need to be discontinued. Appropriate fluid and electrolyte management, protein supplementation, antibiotic treatment of C difficile, and surgical evaluation should be instituted as clinically indicated.#N#Consult WARNINGS section for additional precautions.

What is clindamycin used for?

Clindamycin (Cleocin) is an antibiotic prescribed to fight serious bacterial infections, for example, pneumonitis, lung abscess, ovarian abscess, endometritis, and serious skin and soft tissue infections. Review side effects, dosage, drug interactions, and pregnancy and breastfeeding safety information prior to taking this medication.

What is cystic acne?

Cystic acne is a type of abscess that is formed when oil ducts become clogged and infected. See a picture of Cystic Acne and...

Does Clindamycin cause diarrhea?

itching. low blood pressure, rash, and. itching. Clindamycin causes Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea (CDAD) because it can alter the normal bacteria in the colon and encourage overgrowth Clostridium difficile, a bacteria which causes inflammation of the colon (pseudomembranous colitis ).

Is clindamycin effective for acne?

It is effective again several types of bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Propionibacterium acnes. It reduces growth of bacteria by interfering with their ability to make proteins. The FDA approved clindamycin in February 1970.

Is clindamycin used during the first trimester?

Clindamycin should not be used during the first trimester of pregnancy unless it is clearly needed because it has not been properly evaluated during the first trimester of pregnancy.

Does clindamycin block neuromuscular blockers?

Clindamycin may act as a neuromuscular blocker. This means it can increase the action of neuromuscular blocking drugs (for example, pancuronium and vecuronium), which are used during surgery.

How long does clindamycin treatment last?

A course of treatment usually lasts for a week or so, although it will be for longer than this if you are taking clindamycin for a bone infection. If you still feel unwell after finishing the course of treatment, go back to see your doctor.

How long does it take for clindamycin to work?

This is so your progress can be monitored. If you are taking clindamycin for more than 10 days , your doctor will want you to have some blood tests to check that your kidneys and liver are working well. Some people develop thrush (redness and itching in the mouth or vagina) after taking a course of antibiotics.

What is clindamycin used for?

Available as. Capsules. Clindamycin is an antibiotic which is given to treat serious bacterial infections. It is useful for treating joint and bone infections (such as osteomyelitis ), and infections in the abdomen. It is also used to treat tooth infections where other antibiotics have not worked.

Can you take clindamycin before or after meals?

You can take clindamycin before or after meals. If you forget to take a dose, take one as soon as you remember. Try to take the correct number of doses each day, but do not take two doses at the same time to make up for any that have been missed.

Is clindamycin good for vaginal infection?

Clindamycin is also available as a skin preparation for the treatment of ac ne, and as a cream for use in vaginal infection. There are two separate medicine leaflets available which provide more information about these, called Clindamycin skin preparations for acne and Clindamycin cream for bacterial vaginosis.

Is clindamycin harmful to babies?

(Although clindamycin is not known to be harmful to babies, it is still important that you tell your doctor if you are expecting or breastfeeding a baby.)

Can clindamycin cause side effects?

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the most common ones associated with clindamycin. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine.

What is clindamycin used for?

Clindamycin is an antibiotic that may be used to treat a wide range of infections including those involving gram-positive and anaerobic bacteria (anaerobic means living without air). Clindamycin works by inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis, which inhibits bacterial growth.

What class of antibiotic is clindamycin?

Clindamycin belongs to the class of antibiotics known as lincosamide or lincomycin antibiotics.

What are the side effects of taking a syringe?

If you are between the ages of 18 and 60, take no other medication or have no other medical conditions, side effects you are more likely to experience include: Abdominal pain, pain in the esophagus, nausea, vomiting, an unpleasant or metallic taste, skin rashes, and liver function test abnormalities.

Is clindamycin good for a staph infection?

For infections caused by susceptible strains of streptococci, pneumococci, or staphylococci, clindamycin is usually reserved for penicillin-allergic patients or other patients in whom penicillin is unsuitable.

Can you take clindamycin with food?

For serious anaerobic infections, the parenteral route is usually used initially but should be switched to the oral route as soon as the patient's condition allows. May be taken with or without food. Generic clindamycin is available. 3. Downsides.

Is clindamycin good for diarrhea?

The risk of C. difficile -associated diarrhea may be higher with clindamycin compared with some other antibiotics.

Can you share clindamycin with children?

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use clindamycin only for the indication prescribed.

How many times a day can you take clindamycin?

One suppository pill contains 100 mg of clindamycin. People can use this form once daily at bedtime for 3 consecutive nights.

How many forms of clindamycin are there?

There are four forms of clindamycin: injectable, intravaginal, oral, and topical. The following table lists forms of clindamycin, along with their dosages in milligrams (mg), milligrams per milliliter (mg/ml), or percentage. Injectable. Intravaginal.

What is the best antibiotic for acne?

Alternatives. Summary. Clindamycin is an antibiotic. It works by stopping bacteria from growing. Doctors prescribe clindamycin to treat bacterial infections, and the drug comes in oral, topical, and injectable forms. Topic al clindamycin is a common treatment for acne and bacterial infections in the vagina.

What is clindamycin used for?

People use clindamycin to treat bacterial infections. Clindamycin is an antibiotic drug. People use antibiotics to treat bacterial infections. Antibiotics, including clindamycin, do not work for infections caused by viruses. Clindamycin is in the lincosamide family.

What family is clindamycin in?

Clindamycin and lincomycin are the only members of the lincosamide family.

Why do doctors prescribe clindamycin?

They prescribe it when they cannot use penicillin and when they have determined the type of bacteria involved in the infection.

Why do you take clindamycin capsules?

Clindamycin capsules may irritate the esophagus, the tube that runs from the mouth to the stomach.

How long does it take for antibiotics to work on tooth abscesses?

The normal or average time taken for the effect of Antibiotics on a tooth abscess or infection is “ 24 to 48 hours” . Route of administration (orally or I.V or I.M), IV has the fastest action and oral the slowest.

Why do dentists prescribe antibiotics?

In case of tooth infections or abscess, the dentist prescribes Antibiotics to decrease the concentration of the bacteria in the site of infection. There are two types of Antibiotics which are given in case of infections – Bacteriostatic (controls the growth of bacteria) and Bactericidal (kills the bacteria).

Which is faster, IV or oral?

Route of administration (orally or I.V or I.M), IV has the fastest action and oral the slowest.

Do antibiotics help with dental infections?

Along with Antibiotics, painkillers are prescribed to help in reducing the pain during the healing process.

How long do antibiotics last?

Your antibiotics won't completely take care of the infection until you've taken them over a course of 7 to 10 days, and always for the complete amount of time your dentist has prescribed. It's extremely important that you take all of the antibiotics that your dentist has prescribed, exactly as prescribed.

What antibiotics are used for dental infections?

While antibiotics from the penicillin class are the most popular dental infection antibiotics, some people may have allergies. In this case, your dentist will need to prescribe another type of antibiotic.

How to stop antibiotic resistance?

Patients also have a role to play to stop antibiotic resistance. A couple of things patients should do include: 1 Ask questions: Ask your dentist or doctor about the antibiotics they are giving you and why you need it for your treatment. 2 Don't demand antibiotics: Never demand antibiotics from your doctor if they say they aren't necessary. 3 Don't use old antibiotics: Don't share or use old or leftover antibiotics; only take them when prescribed by your doctor.

What antibiotics are needed for anaerobic bacteria?

Your dentist may decide that additional supplemental antibiotics such as metronidazole may be needed if the infection is caused by anaerobic bacteria—bacteria that don't require oxygen and are most commonly found in the gastrointestinal tract.

What is the term for a dentist that prescribes antibiotics?

Your dentist may prescribe preventative antibiotics for certain dental services or before the treatment of your dental infection; this is called antibiotic prophylaxis.

What is the best treatment for gum disease?

It may be treated with antibiotics like amoxicillin. Erythromycin, tetracycline, or metronidazole are other options if the patient is allergic to penicillin.

How long does it take for a tooth infection to heal?

If you take the amoxicillin antibiotic for tooth infection, you may begin to feel better in just one to two days. However, that doesn't mean that your infection is cured.

How long after stopping antibiotics do you get readmitted?

In fact, only 1.4 percent of patients in the short-treatment group wound up being readmitted to the hospital within 30 days , compared to 6.6 percent of those who took antibiotics for twice as long.

Why do antibiotics need to be longer?

Healthcare providers have traditionally prescribed longer courses of antibiotics to be extra sure to wipe out all the disease-causing germs. But as scientific understanding has evolved, it's become clear that the drugs affect not only the bacteria that caused the infection, but also the complex ecosystem of trillions of other bacteria inhabiting the human body.

How to dispose of antibiotics?

Just don't hang on to leftover antibiotics. Discard unused medication by returning it to the pharmacy or a community take-back program. Or mix the medication with an unpalatable substance such as kitty litter or coffee grounds, seal it in a bag, and throw it out with the household trash. Read more about safe ways to dispose of antibiotics and other unwanted medicines.

Can you take antibiotics longer than you have to?

Antibiotics can be life-saving drugs, but there are good reasons not to take the powerful germ killers longer than you have to. “It increases your risk of common side effects such as rashes and diarrhea,” says Hicks.

Does a short course of treatment work against pneumonia?

Previous research has shown that a short course of treatment also works well against mild-to-moderate cases of pneumonia in patients treated outside the hospital.

Can you stop tuberculosis without talking to your doctor?

Don't Stop Without Talking to Your Doc. Some serious infections such as tuberculosis and those affecting the bones, heart valves, or bloodstream require long courses of medication. “In certain circumstances, you can start to feel better, but still have an active infection that requires treatment,” Hicks says.

How long does it take to dispose of clindamycin?

Dispose of any unused clindamycin liquid after 2 weeks. It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily.

Why is clindamycin used for dental procedures?

Clindamycin is also sometimes used to prevent endocarditis (infection of the heart valves) in certain people who are at risk of developing this infection as a result of a dental procedure. Talk to your doctor about the risks of using this medication for your condition.

Why is clindamycin prescribed?

Why is this medication prescribed? Expand Section. Clindamycin is used to treat certain types of bacterial infections, including infections of the lungs, skin, blood, female reproductive organs, and internal organs. Clindamycin is in a class of medications called lincomycin antibiotics.

What is clindamycin used for?

Clindamycin is also sometimes used to treat acne and is used along with other medications to treat anthrax (a serious infection that may be deliberately spread as part of a terror attack) and malaria (a serious infection that is spread by mosquitoes in certain parts of the world). Clindamycin is also sometimes used to treat ear infections, tonsillitis (infection that causes swelling of the tonsils), pharyngitis (infection that causes swelling in the back of the throat), and toxoplasmosis (an infection that may cause serious problems in people who do not have healthy immune systems or in unborn babies whose mothers are infected) when these conditions cannot be treated with other medications. Clindamycin is also sometimes used to treat bacterial vaginosis (an infection caused from too much of certain bacteria in the vagina). Clindamycin is also sometimes used to prevent endocarditis (infection of the heart valves) in certain people who are at risk of developing this infection as a result of a dental procedure. Talk to your doctor about the risks of using this medication for your condition.

How do you know if you are taking clindamycin?

Call your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms during your treatment with clindamycin or during the first several months after your treatment has finished: watery or bloody stools, diarrhea, stomach cramps, or fever. Talk to your doctor about the risks of taking clindamycin.

What to do if you don't feel better after taking clindamycin?

If your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse, call your doctor. Take clindamycin until you finish the prescription , even if you feel better. If you stop taking clindamycin too soon or skip doses, your infection may not be completely treated and the bacteria may become resistant to antibiotics.

Can you take clindamycin if you are allergic to aspirin?

If you will be taking clindamycin capsules, tell your doctor if you are allergic to aspirin or tartrazine (a yellow dye found in some medications). tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take.

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Usual Adult Dose For Bacterial Infection

  • Oral: Serious infection: 150 to 300 mg orally every 6 hours More severe infection: 300 to 450 mg orally every 6 hours Parenteral: Serious infection: 600 to 1,200 mg via IV infusion or IM injection per day, in 2 to 4 equally divided doses Severe infection: 1,200 to 2,700 mg via IV infusion or IM injection per day, in 2 to 4 equally divided doses Mor...
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Usual Pediatric Dose For Bacterial Infection

  • Oral: Body weight 10 kg or less: Minimum recommended dose: 37.5 mg orally three times a day Body weight 11 kg or more: Serious infection: 8 to 12 mg/kg orally per day, in 3 to 4 equally divided doses Severe infection: 13 to 16 mg/kg orally per day, in 3 to 4 equally divided doses More severe infection: 17 to 25 mg/kg orally per day, in 3 to 4 equally divided doses An alternate regimen: Ser…
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Liver Dose Adjustments

  • No adjustment recommended; however, liver function monitoring is recommended in patients with severe liver disease. Accumulation of clindamycin has not been demonstrated when dosed every 8 hours.
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Precautions

  • US BOXED WARNING(S): -Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea (CDAD) has been reported with the use of nearly all antibacterial agents, including clindamycin and may range in severity from mild diarrhea to fatal colitis. Treatment with antibacterial agents alters the normal flora of the colon leading to overgrowth of C difficile. -Because clindamycin therapy has been associated wi…
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Other Comments

  • Administration advice: -Oral clindamycin should be administered with a full glass of water (to avoid esophageal irritation) and may be taken with or without food. -Intravenous doses should be diluted and administered as an infusion over 10 to 60 minutes, at a rate not exceeding 30 mg/min. -Intramuscular doses should be administered as a deep IM injection. Storage requirements: Th…
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Frequently Asked Questions

Further Information

  • Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances. Medical Disclaimer
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How It Works

Upsides

Downsides

Bottom Line

Tips

Response and Effectiveness

  • Peak concentrations are reached within 45 minutes; however, it may take up to 48 hours before infection-related symptoms start to abate.
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