According to the Dictionary of Pharmaceutical Medicine, clindamycin is the chemical name and active ingredient in generic and brand-name antibiotic drugs. Clindamycin HCL capsules were approved in 1970 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of serious infections caused by bacteria, although currently, clindamycin phosphate can be found in solutions, gels and lotions to also treat acne, according to Drugs.com. RxList.com notes that clindamycin HCL is formulated as blue-green and blue capsules, equivalent to either 150mg or 300mg of clindamycin, respectively, for oral use. In addition to the active ingredient of clindamycin HCL, the generic capsules also contain some inactive ingredients.
Clindamycin HCL
According to DrugLib.com, clindamycin is a lincosamide antibiotic usually used to treat infections with anaerobic bacteria, but it is also used to treat acne and some protozoal diseases, such as malaria. Clindamycin HCL is in capsule form and meant for systemic treatment, although clindamycin phosphate is also for topical uses, which is why it is found in lotions and gels.
Binding and Filling Agents
According to DailyMed, generic clindamycin HCL capsules contain three ingredients that can generally be called binders and fillers, and they are propylene glycol, lactose monohydrate and cornstarch. Generally, binders keep all the ingredients intact and ensure that capsules can be formed. The lactose monohydrate also acts as a filler, which makes the capsules larger, making it practical for manufacturing and convenient for the consumer to handle and use, according to the Dictionary of Pharmaceutical Medicine. Lactose monohydrate is a white crystalline substance obtained from whey protein and commonly used in pharmaceuticals. Generally, fillers are chemically inert, compatible with other ingredients, water soluble, colorless and tasteless.
Disintegrant Agent
The cornstarch also acts as a disintegrant, which according to the Dictionary of Pharmaceutical Medicine, expands and dissolves when wet, facilitating the capsule to burst in the lower intestines, releasing the active ingredient, clindamycin, for absorption.
Lubricating and Mixing Agents
Magnesium stearate is another inactive ingredient found in clindamycin capsules, and acts as both a lubricant and stabilizer in the process of manufacturing. Magnesium stearate combines with the other ingredients to help mix them evenly, according to the Dictionary of Pharmaceutical Medicine. Talc is another ingredient meant for lubrication. Generally, lubricants assist with the flow of powdered ingredients through the production line and help prevent them from sticking to the manufacturing equipment.
Coloring and Coating Agents
Both dosages of clindamycin HCL capsules contain black iron oxide, FD&C Yellow #10 Aluminum Lake, FD&C Blue #1, FD&C Blue #1 Aluminum Lake, FD&C Blue #2 Aluminum Lake and FD&C Red #40 dyes. In addition, the blue-green 150mg capsules also contain FD&C Red #28 and FD&C Red #40, according to DailyMed. Titanium dioxide is another ingredient used because of its ability to provide brightness, shine and opacity to many pharmaceutical products. Gelatin is also found in the capsule covering of clindamycin and can aid with swallowing.
References
- “Dictionary of Pharmaceutical Medicine”; G. Nahler et al; 2009
- Drugs: Clindamycin HCL
- RxList: Cleocin/Clindamycin
- DrugLib: Clindamycin Ingredients
- DailyMed: Clindamycin HCL Ingredients
