In the U.S.—

In Canada—

• Anti-infective, vaginal

Clindamycin (klin-da-MYE-sin) is used to treat certain vaginal infections. It works by killing the bacteria. This medicine will not work for vaginal fungus or yeast infections.

Clindamycin is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage form:

Vaginal
• Cream (U.S. and Canada)

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For vaginal clindamycin, the following should be considered:

Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to clindamycin or lincomycin (e.g., Lincocin). Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy—Vaginal clindamycin is used during the second or third trimester of pregnancy. It was found to cause birth defects in one strain of mouse, but has not caused problems in other animals. Vaginal clindamycin has not been reported to cause birth defects or other problems in humans.

Breast-feeding—It is not known whether clindamycin used vaginally passes into the breast milk. Clindamycin taken by mouth does pass into the breast milk and has not been reported to cause problems in nursing babies. Although most medicines pass into the breast milk in small amounts, many of them may be used safely while breast-feeding. Mothers who are using this medicine and who wish to breast-feed should discuss this with their doctor.

Children—Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of vaginal clindamycin in children with use in other age groups.

Older adults—Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing use of vaginal clindamycin in the elderly with use in other age groups.

Other medicines—Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care professional if you are taking or using any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

• Stomach or intestinal disease, history of (especially colitis, including colitis caused by antibiotics, or enteritis)—Patients with a history of stomach or intestinal disease may have an increased chance of side effects including diarrhea

Wash your hands before and after using this medicine.

Avoid getting this medicine in your eyes. If this medicine does get into your eyes, rinse them immediately with large amounts of cool tap water. If your eyes still burn or are painful, check with your doctor.

Vaginal clindamycin usually comes with patient directions. Read them carefully before using this medicine.

Use clindamycin vaginal cream exactly as directed by your doctor.

• To fill the applicator
  • Remove cap from the tube.
  • Screw one of the applicators onto the tube. Always use a new applicator. Never use one that has been used before.
  • Squeeze the medicine into the applicator slowly until it is full.
  • Remove the applicator from the tube. Replace the cap on the tube.
• To insert the vaginal cream using the applicator
  • Relax while lying on your back with your knees bent.
  • Hold the full applicator in one hand. Insert it slowly into the vagina. Stop before it becomes uncomfortable.
  • Slowly press the plunger until it stops.
  • Withdraw the applicator. The medicine will be left behind in the vagina.
• To care for the applicator
  • Throw the applicator away after you use it.

To help clear up your infection completely, it is very important that you keep using this medicine for the full time of treatment , even if your symptoms begin to clear up after a few days. If you stop using this medicine too soon, your symptoms may return. Do not miss any doses. Also, continue using this medicine even if your menstrual period starts during the time of treatment .

Dosing—

The dose of vaginal clindamycin will be different for different patients. The following information includes only the average dose of vaginal clindamycin. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

• For vaginal cream dosage form:
  • For bacterial vaginosis:
    • Adults and teenagers who are not pregnant—One applicatorful (100 milligrams [mg]) inserted into the vagina once a day, usually at bedtime, for three or seven days.
    • Adults and teenagers who are pregnant—One applicatorful (100 milligrams [mg]) inserted into the vagina once a day, usually at bedtime, for seven days.
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed dose—

If you miss a dose of this medicine, use it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage—

To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Keep the medicine from freezing. Do not refrigerate.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.

If your symptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

It is important that you visit your doctor after you have used all your medicine to make sure that the infection is gone.

This medicine may cause some people to become dizzy. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are dizzy.

Vaginal medicines usually leak out of the vagina during treatment. To keep the medicine from getting on your clothing, wear a minipad or sanitary napkin. Do not use tampons since they may soak up the medicine.

To help clear up your infection completely and make sure it does not return, good health habits are also required.

• Wear cotton panties (or panties or pantyhose with cotton crotches) instead of synthetic (for example, nylon or rayon) panties.
• Wear only freshly washed panties daily.

Do not have sexual intercourse while you are using this medicine. Having sexual intercourse may reduce the strength of the medicine. This may cause the medicine to not work as well.

Do not use latex (rubber) contraceptive products such as condoms, diaphragms, or cervical caps for 72 hours after stopping treatment with vaginal clindamycin cream. The cream contains oils that weaken or harm the latex products, causing them to not work properly to prevent pregnancy. If you have any questions about this, check with your health care professional.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• More common
  • Itching of the vagina or genital area;  pain during sexual intercourse;  thick, white vaginal discharge with no odor or with mild odor 
  
  

• Less common
  • Diarrhea;  dizziness;  headache;  nausea or vomiting;  stomach pain or cramps 
  
  

• Rare
  • Burning, itching, rash, redness, swelling or other signs of skin problems not present before use of this medicine 
  
  

After you stop using this medicine, your body may need time to adjust. The length of time this takes depends on the amount of medicine you were using and how long you used it. During this period of time, check with your doctor if you notice any of the following side effects:

• Itching of the vagina or genital area;  pain during sexual intercourse;  thick, white vaginal discharge with no odor or with mild odor 

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.