THE PET PHARMACY By Wendy C. Brooks, DVM, DipABVP Educational Director, VeterinaryPartner.com

(for veterinary information only)

Brand Name: Clindadrops, Antirobe, Cleosin

Available in 25 mg, 75 m, 150 mg, 300 mg capsules as well as oral solution

Background

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 to accomplish exactly this.

Clindamycin is an antibiotic of the lincosamides 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 become attached. The ribosomes grab the strand of messenger RNA and link the appropriate amino acids (bound to the transfer RNA) into the desired protein.

graphic depiction of DNA

graphic depiction of messenger RNA transcribing DNA

graphic depiction of ribosome using transfer RNA and messenger RNA to make a strand of protein

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.

How this Medication Is Used

The lincosamides 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.

The Gram positive cell wall takes up purple stain. Cocci are round bacteria. The Gram positive cocci in this picture appear as purple dots.

The types of bacteria sensitive to clindamycin make this drug especially popular for use in oral and periodontal infections, skin infections, and bone infections.

Side Effects

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.

Interactions with Other Drugs

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.

Concerns and Cautions

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 enzymes often elevate with the use of clindamycin; blood tests are taken to determine that. 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.

It is our policy not to give dosing information over the Internet.

Date Published: 2/20/2002
Date Reviewed/Revised: 11/21/2007