DrugindexOnline^{2nd edition}

Generic Name: Clindamycin Vaginal Suppositories (klin-da-MYE-sin)
Brand Name: Cleocin

Clindamycin Suppositories is used for:

Treating vaginal infections caused by certain bacteria.

Clindamycin Suppositories is a topical lincomycin antibiotic that works by blocking the production of a protein necessary for the bacteria to survive.

Do NOT use Clindamycin Suppositories if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Clindamycin Suppositories or to lincomycin
• you have Crohn disease; a history of ulcerative colitis, bowel inflammation, or severe diarrhea; or bowel inflammation caused by antibiotics

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Clindamycin Suppositories:

Some medical conditions may interact with Clindamycin Suppositories. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have stomach or bowel problems, infection of the stomach or bowel, or diarrhea

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Clindamycin Suppositories. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Nondepolarizing muscle relaxants (eg, vecuronium) because their actions and the risk of their side effects may be increased by Clindamycin Suppositories

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Clindamycin Suppositories may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Clindamycin Suppositories:

Use Clindamycin Suppositories as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Clindamycin Suppositories comes with an extra patient information sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it carefully. Read it again each time you get Clindamycin Suppositories refilled.
• Insert into vagina at bedtime for 3 consecutive days.
• Once inside the vagina, Clindamycin Suppositories melts. Lie down as soon as possible to minimize leakage.
• Clindamycin Suppositories works best if it is used at the same time each day.
• To clear up your infection completely, use Clindamycin Suppositories for the full course of treatment. Keep using it even if you feel better in a few days.
• If you miss a dose of Clindamycin Suppositories and you are using it regularly, use it as soon as possible. If several hours have passed or if it is nearing time for the next dose, do not double the dose to catch up, unless advised by your health care provider. Do not use 2 doses at once. If more than one dose is missed, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Clindamycin Suppositories.

Important safety information:

• Contact your doctor right away if stomach pain or cramps, severe diarrhea, or bloody stools occur. Do not treat diarrhea without first checking with your doctor. This could be a symptom of a serious side effect.
• Use a sanitary napkin rather than a tampon to prevent staining of clothes and bed linens.
• Do not engage in vaginal intercourse or use vaginal products (such as tampons or douches) while using this product.
• Clindamycin Suppositories can weaken latex or rubber products such as condoms or diaphragms. Do not use them within 72 hours of treatment with Clindamycin Suppositories. They may not provide adequate birth control and you may become pregnant.
• Be sure to use Clindamycin Suppositories for the full course of treatment. If you do not, the medicine may not clear up your infection completely. The bacteria could also become less sensitive to this or other medicines. This could make the infection harder to treat in the future.
• Long-term or repeated use of Clindamycin Suppositories may cause a second infection. Tell your doctor if signs of a second infection occur. Your medicine may need to be changed to treat this.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Clindamycin Suppositories while you are pregnant. It is not known if Clindamycin Suppositories is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Clindamycin Suppositories.

Possible side effects of Clindamycin Suppositories:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Genital itching or burning; irritation not present before use of Clindamycin Suppositories; vaginal pain.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); blood/mucus in your stool; diarrhea; painful sex; severe stomach cramps; new or worsening vaginal or vulvar itching; white vaginal discharge.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately. Clindamycin Suppositories may be harmful if swallowed.

Proper storage of Clindamycin Suppositories:

Store Clindamycin Suppositories at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store in a tightly closed container away from heat, moisture, and light. Avoid temperatures above 86 degrees F and high humidity. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Clindamycin Suppositories out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Clindamycin Suppositories, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Clindamycin Suppositories is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Clindamycin Suppositories. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.