Clindamycin (Cleocin)

KEY POINTS

Clindamycin (Cleocin) is a lincosamide antibiotic, which inhibits protein synthesis in susceptible bacteria by binding to the 50S ribosomal subunit
Available as injectable, oral and topical
- Typical oral dose is 150 to 450 mg per DOSE every 6 hrs
- Typical IV dose is 600 to 2,700 mg per DAY divided in 2 to 4 doses
Has activity versus Gram positive organisms like Streptococcus species and Staphylococcus species
- Typically covers community-associated MRSA but not health care-associated MRSA
Has activity versus anaerobic organisms, but not versus Clostridium difficile
- Not great for Bacteroides fragilis
Has the ability to inhibit bacterial toxin synthesis
- At times added to other agents for this purpose in the treatment of necrotizing staphylococcal or streptococcal infections
Commonly considered for use when a beta-lactam is not an option (e.g., penicillin allergy present)
Has many uses, including surgical prophylaxis, skin and soft tissue infections, community acquired pneumonia and more
Highly associated with Clostridium difficile infection
- Even has a U.S. Boxed Warning of: “Can cause severe and possibly fatal colitis”
The D Test is use with clindamycin to test for inducible resistance in MRSA

Photo Credit: www.microbeonline.com (click the pic for their article)

RESOURCES