Clindamycin Facts

Occasionally your doctor will prescribe an antibiotic for your child. Knowing the clindamycin facts, why your doctor has ordered this medication and how clindamycin will affect your child is crucial to managing your child's health intelligently and proactively.

What is clindamycin?

The prescription drug clindamycin is a form of antibiotic. This drug is used to treat infections and is sometimes used to prevent them. The type of infection clindamycin treats is bacterial in nature. Clindamycin will not cure viral infections. Clindamycin is available in several forms: capsule, liquid and injection. Clindamycin's brand name is DalacinR, states the Hospital for Sick Children's website Kids Health.

When is clindamycin not a good idea?

There are a few things you should share with your child's doctor before taking clindamycin. If your child has liver disease, kidney disease, colitis or antibiotic-induced colitis, you must inform the doctor. Taking this medication with those conditions or a previous allergy to clindamycin can cause health complications. Always share all the medication and dosages that your child is currently taking with your doctor and pharmacist.

Instructions for taking clindamycin

Taking medication properly is important for health safety and efficacy. Your child should take clindamycin with the following facts in mind:

• Always take all the medication supplied. Do not stop giving your child clindamycin when he or she begins to feel better, which could be as soon as two days from starting the medication.

• If you feel your child needs to stop taking clindamycin for any reason, speak with the doctor first.

• Clindamycin should be given at the same times each day to ensure a steady stream of medication through the body. Be sure the times you select comply with your doctor's orders. The injectable form of clindamycin will be given to your child at the hospital or doctor's office.

• Clindamycin may be given with food or a full glass of water. This is an especially good idea if the medication causes stomach discomfort or you wish to minimize the chance of stomach upset.

• Always shake the bottle of liquid clindamycin thoroughly before administering the dosage to your child. Keep the liquid at room temperature in a cool, dry location.

• Do not use your tableware to measure out the correct amount of medication. Use the dosing spoon syringe or cup supplied by your pharmacist.

What if you miss a dose?

Do not give a double dose of medication to your child to compensate for a missed dose. If the missed dose is not too long after your regular dosage time, you can take the medication at that time and then per the doctor's orders thereafter. If you have any questions, call your doctor or pharmacist for assistance.

Clindamycin side effects

Mild side effects may present themselves while your child is taking clindamycin. Watery bowel movements, upset stomach or vomiting could be a side effect of clindamycin. If these side effects do not go away or get worse, consult with your physician. Immediate care should be sought if your child has severe stomach cramps, severe diarrhea, bloody diarrhea or fever. These are potentially signs of a serious problem and should be treated accordingly.