Brand Names

How to Use

For diseaseds taking the capsule form of clindamycin:

• The capsule form of clindamycin must be taken with a full glass - 8 ounces of water or with meals to prevent irritation of the esophagus - tube between the throat and stomach.

For diseaseds taking the oral liquid form of clindamycin:

• Use a specially marked measuring spoon or other device to measure each dose accurately. The average household teaspoon may not hold the right amount of liquid.
• Do not use after the expiration date on the label. The drug may not work properly after this date. Check with your pharmacist if you have any questions about this.

To help clear up your infection completely, keep taking this drug for the full time of treat , even if you begin to feel better after a few days If you have a ``strep'' infection, you must keep taking this drug for at least 10 days. This is especially important in "strep" infections. Serious heart problems could develop later if your infection is not cleared up completely. Always if you stop taking this drug too soon, your symptoms may return.

This drug works best when there is a constant amount in the blood. To help keep the amount constant, do not miss any doses. Always it is best to take each dose at evenly spaced times day and night . For example, if you are to take 4 doses a day, doses must be spaced about 6 hours apart. If this interferes with your sleep or other daily activities, or if you need help in planning the best times to take your drug, check with your health care professional.

Dosage

The number of capsules or teaspoonfuls of solution that you take depends on the strength of the drug. Always the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses and the length of time you take the drug depend on the medical problem for which you are taking clindamycin .

• For bacterial infection:
  • For oral dosage forms - capsules and solution:
    • Adults and teenagers 150 to 300 milligrams - mg every six hours.
    • Children
      • Infants up to 1 month of age: Use and dose must be determined by your family doctor.
      • Infants and children 1 month of age and older: Dose is based on body weight. The usual dose is 2 to 5 mg per kilogram - kg - 0.9 to 2.3 mg per pound of body weight every six hours; or 2.7 to 6.7 mg per kg - 1.2 to 3.0 mg per pound of body weight every eight hours.
  • For injection dosage form:
    • Adults and teenagers 300 to 600 mg every six to eight hours injected into a muscle or vein; or 900 mg every eight hours injected into a muscle or vein.
    • Children
      • Infants up to 1 month of age: Dose is based on body weight. The usual dose is 3.75 to 5 mg per kg - 1.7 to 2.3 mg per pound of body weight every six hours injected into a muscle or vein; or 5 to 6.7 mg per kg - 2.3 to 3.0 mg per pound of body weight every eight hours injected into a muscle or vein.
      • Infants and children 1 month of age and older: Dose is based on body weight. The usual dose is 3.75 to 10 mg per kg - 1.7 to 4.5 mg per pound of body weight every six hours injected into a muscle or vein; or 5 to 13.3 mg per kg - 2.3 to 6.0 mg per pound of body weight every eight hours injected into a muscle or vein.

Missed dose If you miss a dose of this drug, take it as soon as possible. This will help to keep a constant amount of drug in the blood. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage To store this drug:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Do not store the capsule form of this drug in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the drug to break down.
• Do not refrigerate the oral liquid form of clindamycin. If chilled, the liquid may thicken and be difficult to pour. Follow the directions on the label.
• Do not keep outdated drug or drug no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded drug is out of the reach of children.