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(for veterinary information only)
AVAILABLE IN
25 mg, 75 m, 150 mg, 300 mg
CAPSULES
AS WELL AS
ORAL SOLUTION
The continuing fight against bacterial infections involves the development of antibiotics capable of harming bacterial cells without damaging the patient’s cells. Biological properties that bacteria do not share with animals have been exploited so as to accomplish exactly this.
Clindamycin is an antibiotic of the “lincosamide” class and possesses similar properties to its sister compound “lincomycin.” To understand how the lincosamides work, it is important to understand how proteins are made by cells. The “blueprint” for any protein structure comes from the cell’s DNA. The relevant area of DNA (which is double stranded) opens and is “transcribed” to form a strand of “messenger RNA.” The messenger RNA travels from the cell nucleus outward to where a group of cell organs called “ribosomes” can attach. The ribosomes “grab” the strand of messenger RNA and link the appropriate amino acids (bound to the “transfer RNA”) into the desired protein.
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graphic depiction
of DNA
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graphic depiction of
messenger RNA
transcribing DNA
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graphic depiction of ribosome
using transfer RNA and messenger RNA
to make a strand of protein
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To see an animated depiction of both transcription and of protein synthesis or “translation” click here. The page with the animation will open in it’s own window, which you need only close when you are done.
Fortunately, animal ribosomes are nothing like bacterial ribosomes, which are readily damaged by this class of antibiotic. Depending on how much antibiotic is used, the bacterial cell may simply be inhibited from reproducing or may be killed outright.
The lincosamide antibiotics seem to be most useful against the bacteria classified as Gram positive cocci (classified thus based on their shape and cell wall properties). Clindamycin is also helpful against protozoans such as Toxoplasma and Mycoplasma as well as many anaerobic (growing without oxygen) bacteria.
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The Gram positive cell wall takes up purple stain. Cocci are round bacteria.
The Gram positive cocci in this picture appear as purple dots.
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The types of bacteria sensitive to clindamycin makes this drug especially popular for use in oral and periodontal infections, skin infections, and bone infections.
Oral clindamycin is unpleasant tasting and may be rejected by some patients.
The only side effect of concern is upset stomach including diarrhea (which can be bloody) and vomiting. If your pet develops an upset stomach on clindamycin, please discontinue the medication and notify your veterinarian.
Erythromycin, another antibiotic, and clindamycin will be less effective in combination than when used separately. There is some evidence that the same is true when clindamycin is combined with chloramphenicol.
Oral clindamycin is absorbed into the body faster if given on an empty stomach.
Clindamycin will cross the placenta if used in pregnant patients. It will also readily be transferred to nursing young and can induce diarrhea.
Dosage may require alteration in patients with kidney or liver disease. In these cases, a different drug might be a better choice. If this is not possible, it may be helpful to measure blood levels of clindamycin to be sure the patient is able to clear the drug adequately and does not overdose.
Liver enzyme blood tests often elevate with the use of clindamycin. This is not felt to be of health significance but is important to recognize when it is seen.
The manufacturer has recommended blood tests of liver and kidney function if use of clindamycin is to persist beyond 30 days.
This medication is not safe for use in horses, rabbits, rodents, or ruminants.
Clindamycin oral liquid is famous for its especially bitter taste. Refrigerating the medication seems to alleviate some of this unpleasant flavoring. Clindamycin liquid does not require refrigeration for storage.
Page last updated: 11/19/07
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