Clindamycin oral capsule dosage: A detailed guide

This article describes clindamycin oral capsule’s dosages and strengths and gives details on how to take it. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for clindamycin.

If you want to know more about clindamycin oral capsule, see this overview article. It covers details about the drug’s uses, side effects, and more.

Clindamycin oral capsule is a generic version of the brand-name drug Cleocin. Clindamycin also comes in liquid forms: a solution for injection by a healthcare professional and an oral solution. Plus, clindamycin is available in topical forms that you apply: gel, aerosol foam, solution, swab, lotion, and vaginal cream. But the liquid and topical forms aren’t described in this article. To learn more about those forms, talk with your doctor.

Boxed warning: Risk of diarrhea associated with Clostridioides difficile

Clindamycin has a boxed warning for the risk of diarrhea associated with Clostridioides difficile (CDAD). A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

See the end of this article for more information about this warning.

Form and strengths of clindamycin

Clindamycin oral capsule comes as follows:

• Form: capsule that you swallow
• Strengths: 75 milligrams (mg), 150 mg, 300 mg

Dosage of clindamycin

This article describes the recommended dosages for clindamycin oral capsule. The drugmaker provides these dosages.

If your doctor prescribes this medication, you should follow the dosage they prescribe. Your doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your needs. Do not change your dosage of clindamycin oral capsule without your doctor’s recommendation.

Usual recommended dosages of clindamycin in adults

The recommended clindamycin oral capsule dosages are based on the type of infection and its severity. Ultimately, your doctor will prescribe the dosage of clindamycin oral capsule that gives the desired outcome.

Dosage for certain bacterial infections, including cellulitis and dental infections

Clindamycin oral capsule is approved to treat certain types of serious infections caused by bacteria. It’s prescribed for these infections when other antibiotics aren’t likely to work. The infections include:

• skin infections, such as cellulitis
• serious respiratory tract infections, such as lung abscess
• inflamed tissue surrounding the abdomen, which is called peritonitis
• dental infections, such as a tooth abscess
• other types of serious infections

Your doctor will determine your dosage based on the type of infection and how severe it is. The adult dosages below are in milligrams (mg).

• Dosage for serious infections: 150–300 mg every 6 hours
• Dosage for severe infections: 300–450 mg every 6 hours

The severity of your infection will help the doctor determine how many days you’ll need treatment.

Dosages of clindamycin in children

Clindamycin oral capsule may be prescribed for children who can swallow the medication. But it’s not recommended if they cannot swallow it whole.

Clindamycin oral capsule is approved to treat certain types of serious infections caused by bacteria in children. It’s prescribed for these infections when other antibiotics aren’t likely to work. The infections include:

• skin infections, such as cellulitis
• serious respiratory tract infections, such as lung abscess
• inflamed tissue surrounding the abdomen, which is called peritonitis
• dental infections, such as a tooth abscess
• other types of serious infections

Dosages of clindamycin oral capsule for children are based on body weight in milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg). For reference, 1 kg is about 2.2 pounds (lb). The dosages are:

• Dosage for serious infections: 8–16 mg/kg of body weight per day, divided into equal doses to be taken every 6 or 8 hours
• Dosage for severe infections: 16–20 mg/kg of body weight per day, divided into equal doses to be taken every 6 or 8 hours

Sometimes the exact dosage of clindamycin oral capsule based on your child’s body weight isn’t possible. In these cases, your child’s doctor may recommend an oral liquid solution of clindamycin instead.

Dosage adjustments for clindamycin

Your doctor will prescribe a dosage of clindamycin oral capsule based on several factors. These include:

• the specific condition being treated and how severe it is
• your age
• other health conditions you may have

Missed dose of clindamycin

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist right away if you realize you forgot to take a dose of clindamycin oral capsule. They may advise you to take the missed dose. Or they may advise you to skip it and take your next dose as scheduled.

For tips on how to plan your doses of clindamycin oral capsule and avoid missing a dose, read this article. You could also try:

• downloading a reminder app on your phone
• setting an alarm
• putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your calendar, bathroom mirror, or bedside table

Frequently asked questions

Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about clindamycin oral capsule and its dosage.

Is there a 600-mg dose of clindamycin?

Yes, there is a 600-milligram (mg) dose. The typical dosage range of clindamycin oral capsules in adults to treat serious infections is 150–300 mg every 6 hours. So if your doctor prescribes 150 mg every 6 hours, your total daily dose will be 600 mg.

Your dosage depends on the type of infection the drug is treating and its severity. Your doctor will discuss your dosage. If you have questions about your dosage or treatment, ask them to explain.

Can clindamycin be taken long term?

No, doctors don’t typically prescribe clindamycin oral capsule as a long-term treatment. Instead, it’s usually recommended for short-term use to treat certain infections caused by bacteria.

If you have questions about how long you should take clindamycin oral capsule, talk with your doctor.

How clindamycin is taken

You’ll swallow clindamycin oral capsule, typically every 6 hours. You can take the medication with or without food. But be sure to take it with a full glass of water to help avoid irritating your throat.

Do not cut, crush, or chew the capsules. If it’s hard for you to swallow capsules, view this article. It provides suggestions on how to swallow medications that come in pill form.

Also, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re having difficulty taking your medication. They can offer recommendations about taking it.

Clindamycin coupon

Visit this page to access Optum Perks coupons and get price estimates for clindamycin when you use the coupons. These coupons can provide significant savings on your prescription costs. 

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.

Overdose of clindamycin

It’s important that you do not take more clindamycin oral capsule than your doctor prescribes. Doing so can lead to harmful effects.

What to do if you take too much clindamycin

If you think you’ve taken too much clindamycin, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

What to ask your doctor

This article describes the usual recommended dosages for clindamycin oral capsule. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they’ll determine the dosage that’s best for you.

Do not change your dosage of clindamycin oral capsule without your doctor’s recommendation. You should take clindamycin oral capsule exactly as your doctor prescribes it. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about your treatment plan.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• Does my dosage of clindamycin oral capsule increase my risk of diarrhea associated with Clostridioides difficile?
• If clindamycin oral capsule doesn’t treat my infection, will my dosage be increased?
• Will I need a dosage adjustment of clindamycin oral capsule if I have liver problems?

Boxed warning for clindamycin

Clindamycin has a boxed warning for the risk of diarrhea associated with Clostridioides difficile (CDAD). (Clostridioides difficile, also called C. diff, is a harmful bacterium.) A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Antibiotics used for infections caused by bacteria, including clindamycin, can cause normal bacteria in your colon to change. This can allow C. diff to grow and cause diarrhea, which can range from mild to severe. In some cases, severe diarrhea may lead to colitis that can be fatal. Colitis occurs when the large intestine is inflamed. Other symptoms of C. diff include loss of appetite, bloody or watery stools, and stomach pain.

Since clindamycin has a higher risk of causing C. diff, your doctor will prescribe it only for serious infections when other antibiotics won’t work.

Before taking clindamycin, tell your doctor if you have any intestinal conditions. This includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. They can help determine whether treatment with clindamycin is right for you.

Also, let your doctor know if you’ve ever had colitis associated with taking antibiotics. If you have, your doctor likely won’t prescribe clindamycin.

If you have diarrhea while taking clindamycin, stop taking the medication and call your doctor right away. They’ll confirm whether you have C. diff by testing your stool. They’ll treat you for this infection if it’s necessary.

Talk with your doctor if you’d like more information on this warning.

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.