Clindamycin in a prescription antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections. Because of potential risks, it is not suitable for all illnesses commonly treated with antibiotics. It is mainly taken orally, but it can also be injected, according to MedlinePlus. A topical form of clindamycin is also available, but it is mainly used to treat acne. When your child is prescribed antibiotics, it is important to take all the prescribed medication as directed by his doctor.
Uses
Clindamycin is not usually used to treat common childhood illnesses and infections. Instead, it typically prescribed to treat joint, bone, blood and dental infections caused by anaerobic bacteria, according to the University of Virginia Health System. It can also be used to treat serious skin and body tissue infections and may be prescribed when other antibiotics prove to be an ineffective treatment.
How It Works
Like other antibiotics, clindamycin works by killing bacteria or interfering with how they reproduce. It is classified as a lincomycin antibiotic. These drugs work by inhibiting or stopping the growth of bacteria in the body. Clindamycin will not treat infections caused by viruses or fungi.
How To Use It
Your child should take clindamycin exactly how her doctor prescribes. Dosing is based on your child's weight, so she should take precisely the amount the doctor orders. Depending on your child's age, the drug can be taken as a capsule or a liquid suspension. It's best to take the medication at the same time each day. If your child is prescribed the liquid suspension, shake the bottle well before each use, according to MedlinePlus. Capsules of clindamycin should be taken with a glass of water to prevent throat irritation.
Side Effects
Like all medications, side effects are possible when taking clindamycin. Your child may experience stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or other changes in bowel habits, pain in the joints and a mild rash or itchy skin, according to Drugs.com. Clindamycin is more likely than other antibiotics to cause a rare side effect called colitis, which is when the large intestine becomes inflamed because of bacteria overgrowth. Signs of colitis include stomach cramps, diarrhea, bloody or watery stools and fever, MedlinePlus reports. Colitis can develop while taking the drug or in the months following treatment. Notify your child's doctor immediately if your child displays symptoms of colitis within a few months of taking clindamycin.
Warnings
People who are allergic to similar antibiotics, including lincomycin, should never take clindamycin because of the risk of a serious allergic reaction. It should also never be taken along with the antibiotic erthyromycin, according to Drugs.com. People with certain medical conditions, including kidney and liver disease and certain intestinal conditions, and those with a history of eczema, asthma and allergic skin rashes also should not take clindamycin. The Food and Drug Administration classifies it as a Class B drug, meaning it could harm a fetus.
