Clindamycin was first made in 1966 from lincomycin.It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.It is available as a generic medication.In 2017, it was the 137th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than four million prescriptions.

Pharmacokinetics

In an open label, parallel group study of 24 patients with acne vulgaris, once-daily topical administration of approximately 3-12 grams/day of clindamycin phosphate gel for five days resulted in peak plasma clindamycin concentrations that were less than 5.5 ng/ml.
Following multiple applications of clindamycin phosphate gel less than 0.04 % of the total dose was excreted in the urine.

Uses

Clindamycin phosphate topical solution is a topical (for the skin) antibiotic used to treat acne vulgaris. Clindamycin phosphate topical solution is available in generic form.

Apply a thin film of Clindamycin Phosphate Topical Solution or use a Clindamycin Phosphate Topical Solution pledget (pad) twice daily to affected area. More than one pledget may be used if needed. Discard any used pledgets and wash hands thoroughly after application. Clindamycin Phosphate Topical Solution may interact with other neuromuscular blocking agents.

Drug interactions

Clindamycin has been shown to have neuromuscular blocking properties that may enhance the action of other neuromuscular blocking agents. Therefore it should be used with caution in patients receiving such agents.

Side effects

Common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, rash, and pain at the site of injection.It increases the risk of hospital-acquired Clostridium difficile colitis about fourfold and thus is only recommended when other antibiotics are not appropriate.Alternative antibiotics may be recommended as a result.It appears to be generally safe in pregnancy.It is of the lincosamide class and works by blocking bacteria from making protein.