Clindamycin hydrochloride, or HCL, is a powerful antibiotic used to treat serious infections caused by anaerobic streptococci and aerobic gram-positive cocci such as strep throat, necrotizing fasciitis and systemic toxic shock syndrome. Physicians prescribe clindamycin HCL only when other less potent antibiotics have been tried. This is because adverse side effects of clindamycin HCL cause many whole-body symptoms that are serious and sometimes fatal.
Diarrhea
Clindamycin HCL affects the gastrointestinal system in many ways. The most common symptoms patients experience while taking this antibiotic include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and inflammation and irritation of the esophagus. Taking oral clindamycin HCL with a full 8 oz. of water can help decrease indigestion symptoms. Patients should not self-treat diarrhea with over-the-counter anti-diarrheal preparations as these measures prolong the gastrointestinal symptoms. Patients should stop taking clindamycin HCL if five or more loose stools occur in a 24 hour period. Billie Ann Wilson, PhD., Margaret Shannon, PhD., and Kelly Shields PharmD., authors of “Pearson Nurse’s Drug Guide 2010” warn patients to report symptoms of watery diarrhea with or without fever to the prescribing physician immediately because the patient may have a life-threatening complication called psydomembranous colitis. Characterized by frequent watery stools, pus or blood in the stool and abdominal pain, symptoms can start within a few days to a couple of weeks following therapy.
Super Infections
Clindamycin HCL symptoms to watch for include the onset of secondary or super-infections. A super infection occurs when overgrowth of an organism other than the one being treated with the antibiotic occurs. Symptoms to look for are new onset of fever or return of fever, cough, mouth sores, swollen and painful tongue, a black hairy tongue or foul smelling diarrhea. A super infection requires immediate medical care.
Agranulocytosis
The National Institutes of Health reports that clindamycin HCL decreases the production of white blood cells. The affected cells are involved in fighting infection, mounting allergic reactions and blood clotting. A life-threatening condition can result called agranulocytosis. Characterized by a loss of bone marrow production of all blood cells, agranulocytosis places patients at risk for severe infections, anemia and hemorrhage.
Cardiac Arrest
Rapid intravenous infusion of clindamycin HCL may cause the heart to stop. Children and the elderly have a greater risk of this adverse reaction. IV infusion or an injection of clindamycin into the muscle can cause irregular heart rhythms that, if not identified and treated immediately, can cause death. Symptoms to look for are low blood pressure, chest pain, palpitations and feeling faint. Patients should remain laying down after receiving an injection of clindamycin HCL until heart rate and blood pressure prove stable.
References
- Todar’s Online Textbook of Bacteriology: Streptococcus Pyogenes and Streptococcal Disease
- “Pearson Nurse’s Drug Guide 2010”; Wilson, B. A., Shannon, T. M., & Shields, K. M.; 2010
- National Institutes of Health: Clindamycin Hydrochloride
