This article describes possible interactions with clindamycin oral capsule. Interactions can cause a drug to have a different effect on the body than expected. Interactions can occur due to medications, alcohol, or certain health conditions.
To find coupon options for clindamycin and to learn more about the drug, including its uses, see this article.
Clindamycin comes as capsules that you swallow. It’s also available in other forms, including an oral liquid solution and forms that you apply to your skin. Interactions of clindamycin may vary depending on the form of clindamycin you’re prescribed.
Boxed warning: Risk of Clostridioides difficile-related diarrhea
Clindamycin has a boxed warning for the risk of Clostridioides difficile-related diarrhea. 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.
Other drugs and clindamycin
Drugs that may interact with clindamycin oral capsule are listed below. This article doesn’t include all drugs that may interact with clindamycin.
Drugs that may interact with clindamycin oral capsule include:
- certain antiepileptic drugs:
- drug examples: carbamazepine (Tegretol, others), phenytoin (Dilantin)
- what might happen: can make clindamycin less effective
- certain antifungal drugs:
- certain antiviral drugs:
- drug examples: ritonavir (Norvir), nelfinavir (Viracept)
- what might happen: can raise the risk of side effects from clindamycin
- certain prostate cancer drugs:
- drug examples: apalutamide, enzalutamide
- what might happen: can make clindamycin less effective
- lumacaftor/ivacaftor (Orkambi):
- what might happen: can make clindamycin less effective
- clarithromycin:
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects from clindamycin
- ceritinib (Zykadia):
- what might happen: can raise the risk of side effects from clindamycin
- rifampin (Rimactane):
- what might happen: can make clindamycin less effective
When to avoid clindamycin
Certain health conditions or other factors could increase some risks with clindamycin oral capsule. Because of this, doctors may not prescribe clindamycin in these cases. These health conditions or other factors are called contraindications.
Here’s a contraindication for clindamycin oral capsule:
Past allergic reaction to clindamycin. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to clindamycin oral capsule in the past, taking clindamycin oral capsule may cause a similar reaction.
Before starting treatment with clindamycin, tell your doctor if the above relates to you. They can recommend whether you should take clindamycin.
Questions about clindamycin and interactions
Here you’ll find answers to some common questions about clindamycin and possible interactions.
Can I take ibuprofen with clindamycin?
Yes, you can take ibuprofen with clindamycin if your doctor recommends these medications. Ibuprofen and clindamycin aren’t known to interact with each other.
That said, both ibuprofen and clindamycin can rarely cause kidney-related side effects when either drug is taken alone. If taken together, this risk may increase. If you have an existing kidney condition, such as chronic kidney disease, your doctor may avoid prescribing these drugs together.
If your doctor determines it’s safe for you to take clindamycin and ibuprofen together, they may want to monitor your kidney function during your treatment. They’ll do this with blood tests. However, your doctor may not recommend this for you as clindamycin is typically used short term.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about taking clindamycin and ibuprofen together.
Does clindamycin oral capsule have different interactions than clindamycin topical gel?
Yes, clindamycin oral capsule has different interactions compared with clindamycin topical gel. (Topical products are applied to your skin.)
Clindamycin topical gel is used to treat acne. Because your entire body doesn’t absorb this form of clindamycin, it has different interactions compared with clindamycin oral capsule. In fact, the interactions described in this article for clindamycin oral capsule aren’t expected to apply to clindamycin topical gel.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’d like to know more about how interactions may differ with different forms of clindamycin.
Alcohol and clindamycin
Clindamycin oral capsule is not known to interact with alcohol.
However, if you have side effects from taking clindamycin, drinking alcohol could worsen them. These side effects include:
- nausea
- fatigue (low energy)
- diarrhea*
If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it during your treatment with clindamycin oral capsule.
* Clindamycin oral capsule has a boxed warning for Clostridioides difficile-related diarrhea. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For more details, see the “Boxed warning for clindamycin” section below.
Other interactions and clindamycin
Interactions can occur with supplements, foods, vaccines, and some lab tests. Below, you can learn whether clindamycin oral capsule has these interactions.
The information below doesn’t include all other possible interactions with clindamycin.
Clindamycin and supplements
Before taking clindamycin oral capsule, tell your doctor and pharmacist about any herbs you take, as well as vitamins and supplements. Doing so may help you avoid possible interactions.
If you have questions about interactions that may affect you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Clindamycin interactions with herbs
Clindamycin oral capsule may interact with St. John’s wort. This herb is often used for supporting mood.
Taking clindamycin and St. John’s wort may cause clindamycin to be less effective.
Because of this, ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking any of these products during treatment with clindamycin oral capsule.
Clindamycin interactions with vitamins
Clindamycin oral capsule isn’t known to interact with any vitamins. But this doesn’t mean interactions with vitamins can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking any of these products during treatment with clindamycin oral capsule.
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Grapefruit and grapefruit juice are known to interact with clindamycin.
Taking clindamycin and consuming grapefruit or grapefruit juice may raise the risk of side effects from clindamycin.
Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about what foods you should avoid during treatment with clindamycin oral capsule.
Clindamycin and vaccines
Clindamycin oral capsule isn’t known to interact with any vaccines. But this doesn’t mean interactions with vaccines can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before receiving any vaccines during treatment with clindamycin oral capsule.
Clindamycin and lab tests
Clindamycin oral capsule isn’t known to interact with lab tests. But this doesn’t mean interactions with lab tests can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before having any tests during treatment with clindamycin oral capsule.
Clindamycin and cannabis or CBD
In studies, cannabis (commonly called marijuana) and cannabis products have been shown to interact with clindamycin. Cannabidiol (CBD) is an example of a cannabis product.
Taking clindamycin and using cannabis may increase the risk of side effects from clindamycin.
Before you take clindamycin, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you use cannabis. Doing so may help prevent possible interactions.
Note: Cannabis is illegal at a federal level but is legal in many states to varying degrees.
Health factors and clindamycin
Certain medical conditions or other health factors may increase the risk of interactions with clindamycin oral capsule. Before taking clindamycin, tell your doctor about your health history. They’ll determine whether clindamycin is right for you.
Here’s a list of health conditions or other factors that might interact with clindamycin oral capsule:
Preventing clindamycin interactions
You may be able to help avoid certain interactions with clindamycin oral capsule. Before taking this drug, you may want to discuss possible interactions with your doctor and pharmacist.
Things to consider include:
- Whether you drink alcohol or use cannabis.
- Other medications you take, as well as any vitamins, supplements, and herbs. Your doctor or pharmacist can help you fill out a medication list.
- What to do if you’re prescribed a new drug during your clindamycin oral capsule treatment.
Taking clindamycin exactly as prescribed can also help prevent interactions.
What to ask your doctor
If you have questions about clindamycin and possible interactions, talk with your doctor.
Questions you may want to ask your doctor include:
- Are clindamycin’s interactions similar to other antibiotics that could treat my infection?
- If clindamycin interacts with other medications I take, will you prescribe a lower dosage?
- Do I need to space apart my medications throughout the day to avoid interactions?
- Could I still take clindamycin even if it interacts with a health condition I have?
Boxed warnings for clindamycin
Clindamycin has a boxed warning for the risk of Clostridioides difficile-related diarrhea (CDAD). A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). CDAD is a possible side effect of antibiotic drugs, including clindamycin. In rare cases, CDAD can be severe or even life threatening.
Antibiotics such as clindamycin work by killing bacteria that cause infection. However, our bodies also have ”good” bacteria (such as gut bacteria) that help digest food. Clindamycin and other antibiotics cannot differentiate between ”good” and ”bad” bacteria. So when antibiotics kill too many ”good” bacteria, a Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) infection can occur as a side effect. The condition is caused by an overgrowth of ”bad” bacteria in the gut.
Symptoms of a C. diff infection and CDAD may be mild or severe. They can include:
- diarrhea
- abdominal cramps and pain
- appetite loss
Symptoms typically develop during treatment or within a few days after taking your last clindamycin dose. In rare cases, symptoms may occur 2 months after your last dose.
Immediately contact your doctor if you develop diarrhea while taking clindamycin. Your doctor will likely order tests to check for a C. diff infection. They can review your symptoms and determine the best way to treat them.
To learn more, talk with your doctor.
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.
