Clindamycin
Used for anaerobic and gram-positive infections and to suppress toxin production in toxic shock and necrotising fasciitis.
On this page
Uses
- Added for toxin suppression in necrotising fasciitis and toxic shock.
- Penicillin allergy: open fractures, skin and soft tissue infection, dental infection.
- Aspiration pneumonia (per policy).
Adult dose
| Route | Dose |
|---|---|
| IV | 600–900 mg every 8 hours (up to 1.2 g every 6 hours in severe infection) |
| Oral | 300–450 mg every 6 hours |
Children's dose
IV 10 mg/kg every 6–8 hours (max 600 mg per dose; higher in severe infection per specialist); oral 3–6 mg/kg every 6 hours.
Kidney and liver
No adjustment in kidney impairment; caution in severe liver disease.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Can be used when indicated.
Side effects and cautions
- C. difficile colitis (stop if diarrhoea develops).
- Rash, nausea.
Frequently asked questions
Why is clindamycin added in necrotising fasciitis?
It suppresses bacterial toxin production, which reduces shock and tissue damage.
What is the IV dose of clindamycin?
600–900 mg every 8 hours in adults, more in severe infections.
Used in these guides
Sources
Doses on this page are typical doses from the sources above. Always confirm with a current drug reference, the product leaflet and your hospital protocol, especially in children, pregnancy and kidney or liver disease.
For FCPS Part 1
Revising for FCPS Part 1? Clindamycin is covered in our textbook chapter Antimicrobials in pregnancy, with practice MCQs.