Did the doctor prescribe this medicine for you or your little one? When you saw the name 'Clindamycin' on the bottle, did you also think, what is this, what does it do, and is it good for your little one? It's normal to think like that. When we are given a new medicine, we all have a few questions and some trepidation. So don't worry, today we will talk about this medicine called Clindamycin in a simple way, as if we were talking to a friend.
What exactly is this medicine? Why is it given?
Simply put, Clindamycin is an antibiotic . An antibiotic is a medicine that is given to kill certain harmful bacteria that enter our body or to stop them from spreading inside the body.
Think of it like our body is like a big country. These bacteria are the enemies that sneak into this country. So Clindamycin is like a special army that fights these enemies and protects us.
But here's something you should definitely remember. This medicine only works for bacterial infections. It has no effect on diseases caused by viruses. That is, it will not help you if you take it for viral diseases like the common cold or flu. A doctor will prescribe this medicine for you after determining that the cause of your illness is bacteria. For example, this medicine is used for some skin infections, throat infections, dental infections, and many other bacterial infections.
Things you should tell your doctor before taking medication
Your doctor will ask you about your health before prescribing a medication. If you have any questions about these matters at that time, it is very important to tell your doctor without hiding it. This will help the doctor treat you more safely.
- Kidney disease: If you have any kidney problems, tell your doctor. Many medications are filtered out of the body by the kidneys. So if your kidneys are not working properly, your doctor may need to adjust your medication dosage.
- Liver disease: If you have liver problems, mention that as well.
- Bowel problems: If you have had any previous bowel problems, especially conditions like colitis, you should definitely mention it.
- Allergies: This is very important. If you have any allergies to Clindamycin, any other medicine, food, or dyes, be sure to tell your doctor.
- Pregnancy: Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant .
- If you are a breastfeeding mother: If you are a breastfeeding mother , tell your doctor before taking this medicine.
How exactly should I use this medicine?
To get the best results from a medication, it is very important to use it correctly.
1. Shake well: Since this is a liquid medicine, you need to shake the bottle well before using it. This will ensure that the ingredients in the medicine are well mixed and there is the same amount in each dose.
2. Accurate measurement: Use a special measuring spoon, cup, or syringe provided by the pharmacy to measure the medicine. Household teaspoons and tablespoons will not work. They may not measure accurately, so you may get too little or too much. If you don't have one, ask the pharmacy for one.
3. With a glass of water: Drink a glass of water after taking the medicine.
4. Before or after food?: This medicine can be taken before or after food. However, some people may experience a slight stomach upset or nausea after taking this medicine. If that happens to you, it is best to take the medicine with food.
5. On time: Take your medicine at the prescribed time, at the prescribed intervals, as prescribed by your doctor. Do not skip the scheduled time.
6. Complete the course: This is the most important thing. After taking the medicine for two or three days, you may feel better. But never stop taking the medicine before the number of days prescribed by the doctor is over. If you do, the remaining strong bacteria in the body can become stronger again, and the disease can become more severe than before. Therefore, it is essential to complete the prescribed treatment period.
When given to children: Special care may be needed when giving this medicine to children. So talk to your doctor about the correct dosage for your child's weight and age.
What to do if the medication dose is increased?
If you think you or your child has accidentally taken more than the prescribed dose, do not panic. Go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
What if I miss a dose of medication?
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take two doses at once to make up for a forgotten dose.
Things to be careful about when taking this medicine
Be careful about these things when using the medicine.
- If your symptoms don't improve, or if they seem to be getting worse, tell your doctor.
Serious skin reactions: Rarely, some people may have serious skin reactions while using this medicine. These may occur several weeks after starting the medicine. If you develop a rash with a fever or a feverish feeling, tell your doctor immediately. These rashes may turn red or purple, then blister and the skin may peel off. Also, if you develop a red rash with swelling of the face, lips, or small bumps on the neck or armpits, seek medical advice immediately.
Diarrhea: Sometimes you can get diarrhea when taking antibiotics. But if you have diarrhea for more than two days, if it is severe and watery, do not take over-the-counter medication. Call your doctor right away.
What are the possible side effects?
Like any medicine, Clindamycin can cause side effects. However, not everyone gets them. The table below will help you understand this more clearly.
| Clindamycin side effects | |
|---|---|
| Side effects that you should report to your doctor immediately | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Kidney injury | Decreased urination, swelling of the ankles, hands, or feet. |
| Serious skin reactions | Fever, rash, and swelling of the extremities. Redness, blistering, and peeling skin (even inside the mouth). |
| Severe diarrhea | Severe, watery diarrhea with fever. |
| Vaginal infections | Women may experience unusual vaginal discharge, itching, or odor. |
| Side effects that are usually nothing to worry about, but if they persist, you should tell your doctor. | |
| Flatulence | Mild diarrhea. |
| A metallic taste in the mouth | An iron-like taste in the mouth. |
| Nausea and vomiting | Stomach upset and vomiting. |
| Stomach pain | Mild stomach pain. |
Other things that may interact with this medicine
If you are taking any other medications, vitamins, or traditional medicines, tell your doctor about them, as some medications can interact with each other.
- Estrogen or progestin hormones - for example, birth control pills.
- Muscle relaxants for surgery.
- Rifampin - This is another antibiotic given for infections such as tuberculosis.
How should I store the medicine?
- Keep away from children: Like all medicines, keep this one out of the reach of small children.
- Do not refrigerate: After the pharmacy gives you this medicine as a liquid, store it at room temperature . Do not refrigerate it for any reason.
- Expiration date: This medicine can only be used within 14 days of making it. Even if there is medicine left in the bottle after 14 days, be sure to throw it away.
This information leaflet is only a summary. If you have any further questions about this medicine, please do not hesitate to ask your doctor.
Take-Home Message
- Clindamycin is an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections. It will not treat viral infections (like the common cold).
- Before taking the medicine, tell your doctor about any allergies you have, other medical conditions, and other medications you are taking.
- Always use the measuring spoon or cup provided to measure medicine. Do not use household teaspoons.
- Even if you feel better, be sure to take the medicine for the full number of days prescribed by the doctor. Do not stop halfway.
- If you experience any serious side effects, such as severe diarrhea or skin rash with fever, seek medical advice immediately.
- Do not refrigerate this liquid medicine. Discard any remaining medicine after 14 days from the day it was prepared by the pharmacy.
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