ADVERSE REACTIONS SECTION.

ADVERSE REACTIONS. The following reactions have been reported with the use of clindamycin.. Infections and Infestations. Clostridioides difficile colitis. Gastrointestinal. Antibiotic-associated colitis (see WARNINGS), pseudomembranous colitis, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. The onset of pseudomembranous colitis symptoms may occur during or after antibacterial treatment (see WARNINGS). An unpleasant or metallic taste has been reported after intravenous administration of the higher doses of clindamycin phosphate.. Hypersensitivity Reactions. Maculopapular rash and urticaria have been observed during drug therapy. Generalized mild to moderate morbilliform-like skin rashes are the most frequently reported of all adverse reactions.Severe skin reactions such as Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis, some with fatal outcome, have been reported (see WARNINGS). Cases of Acute Generalized Exanthematous Pustulosis (AGEP), erythema multiforme, some resembling Stevens-Johnson syndrome, have been associated with clindamycin. Anaphylactic shock, anaphylactic reaction and hypersensitivity have also been reported (see WARNINGS).. Skin and Mucous Membranes. Pruritus, vaginitis, angioedema and rare instances of exfoliative dermatitis have been reported (see Hypersensitivity Reactions).. Liver. Jaundice and abnormalities in liver function tests have been observed during clindamycin therapy.. Renal. Acute Kidney Injury: Signs of renal dysfunction as evidenced by azotemia, oliguria, and/or proteinuria have been observed (See WARNINGS).. Hematopoietic. Transient neutropenia (leukopenia) and eosinophilia have been reported. Reports of agranulocytosis and thrombocytopenia have been made. No direct etiologic relationship to concurrent clindamycin therapy could be made in any of the foregoing.. Immune System. Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) cases have been reported.. Local Reactions. Injection site irritation, pain, induration and sterile abscess have been reported after intramuscular injection and thrombophlebitis after intravenous infusion. Reactions can be minimized or avoided by giving deep intramuscular injections and avoiding prolonged use of indwelling intravenous catheters.. Musculoskeletal. Polyarthritis cases have been reported.. Cardiovascular. Cardiopulmonary arrest and hypotension have been reported following too rapid intravenous administration (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION).

BOXED WARNING SECTION.

WARNING. Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD) has been reported with use of nearly all antibacterial agents, including CLEOCIN PHOSPHATE and may range in severity from mild diarrhea to fatal colitis. Treatment with antibacterial agents alters the normal flora of the colon leading to overgrowth of C. difficile.Because CLEOCIN PHOSPHATE therapy has been associated with severe colitis which may end fatally, it should be reserved for serious infections where less toxic antimicrobial agents are inappropriate, as described in the INDICATIONS AND USAGE section. It should not be used in patients with nonbacterial infections such as most upper respiratory tract infections. C. difficile produces toxins and which contribute to the development of CDAD. Hypertoxin producing strains of C. difficile cause increased morbidity and mortality, as these infections can be refractory to antimicrobial therapy and may require colectomy. CDAD must be considered in all patients who present with diarrhea following antibiotic use. Careful medical history is necessary since CDAD has been reported to occur over two months after the administration of antibacterial agents.If CDAD is suspected or confirmed, ongoing antibiotic use not directed against C. difficile may need to be discontinued. Appropriate fluid and electrolyte management, protein supplementation, antibiotic treatment of C. difficile, and surgical evaluation should be instituted as clinically indicated.

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY SECTION.

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY. Distribution. Biologically inactive clindamycin phosphate is converted to active clindamycin. By the end of short-term intravenous infusion, peak serum concentrations of active clindamycin are reached.After intramuscular injection of clindamycin phosphate, peak concentrations of active clindamycin are reached within hours in adults and hour in pediatric patients. Serum concentrations of clindamycin can be maintained above the in vitro minimum inhibitory concentrations for most indicated organisms by administration of clindamycin phosphate every to 12 hours in adults and every to hours in pediatric patients, or by continuous intravenous infusion. An equilibrium state is reached by the third dose.No significant concentrations of clindamycin are attained in the cerebrospinal fluid even in the presence of inflamed meninges.. Metabolism. In vitro studies in human liver and intestinal microsomes indicated that clindamycin is predominantly metabolized by Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4), with minor contribution from CYP3A5, to form clindamycin sulfoxide and minor metabolite, N-desmethylclindamycin.. Excretion. Biologically inactive clindamycin phosphate disappears from the serum with minutes of the average elimination half-life; however, the average serum elimination half-life of active clindamycin is about hours in adults and 1/2 hours in pediatric patients.. Specific Populations. Patients with Renal/Hepatic Impairment. The elimination half-life of clindamycin is increased slightly in patients with markedly reduced renal or hepatic function. Hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis are not effective in removing clindamycin from the serum. Dosage schedules need not be modified in patients with renal or hepatic disease.. Geriatric Patients. Pharmacokinetic studies in elderly volunteers (61-79 years) and younger adults (18-39 years) indicate that age alone does not alter clindamycin pharmacokinetics (clearance, elimination half-life, volume of distribution, and area under the serum concentration-time curve) after IV administration of clindamycin phosphate. After oral administration of clindamycin hydrochloride, the average elimination half-life is increased to approximately 4.0 hours (range 3.4-5.1 h) in the elderly, compared to 3.2 hours (range 2.1-4.2 h) in younger adults. The extent of absorption, however, is not different between age groups and no dosage alteration is necessary for the elderly with normal hepatic function and normal (age-adjusted) renal function1.. Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients with PMA <=32 weeks, or >32 to <=40 weeks. Systemic clearance (CL) in premature infants increases with increases in body weight (kg) and post-menstrual age (PMA). The dosing regimens for pediatric patients <=32 weeks PMA (5 mg/kg) and >32 to <=40 weeks PMA (7 mg/kg), both administered intravenously every hours, achieve exposures comparable to therapeutic exposures in adults (weighing 70 kg) administered clindamycin 600 mg every hours (Table 1). Table 1: Predicted Drug Exposure (Mean +- SD) of Clindamycin in Adults and in Pediatric Patients with PMA <=32 weeks, or >32 to <=40 weeksAgeAdult (70 kg)PMA <=32 weeksPMA>32 <=40 weeksDose (every hours)600 mg5 mg/kg7 mg/kgPMA: post-menstrual age; AUCss,0-8 hour: area under the concentration-time curve during dosing interval at steady state; Cmax,ss: maximum drug concentration at steady state; Cmin,ss: minimum or trough drug concentration at steady state. AUCss,0-8 hour (mcgh/mL)50.5 (30.95)52.5 (17.0)55.9 (23.55)Cmax,ss (mcg/mL)12.0 (3.49)9.0 (2.02)10.5 (2.79)Cmin,ss (mcg/mL)3.1 (3.34)4.6 (2.00)4.4 (2.77). Obese Pediatric Patients Aged to Less than 18 Years and Obese Adults Aged 18 to 20 Years. An analysis of pharmacokinetic data in obese pediatric patients aged to less than 18 years and obese adults aged 18 to 20 years demonstrated that clindamycin clearance and volume of distribution, normalized by total body weight, are comparable regardless of obesity.. Microbiology. Mechanism of Action. Clindamycin inhibits bacterial protein synthesis by binding to the 23S RNA of the 50S subunit of the ribosome. Clindamycin is bacteriostatic. Resistance. Resistance to clindamycin is most often caused by modification of specific bases of the 23S ribosomal RNA. Cross-resistance between clindamycin and lincomycin is complete. Because the binding sites for these antibacterial drugs overlap, cross-resistance is sometimes observed among lincosamides, macrolides and streptogramin B. Macrolide-inducible resistance to clindamycin occurs in some isolates of macrolide-resistant bacteria. Macrolide-resistant isolates of staphylococci and beta-hemolytic streptococci should be screened for induction of clindamycin resistance using the D-zone test. Antimicrobial Activity. Clindamycin has been shown to be active against most of the isolates of the following microorganisms, both in vitro and in clinical infections [see Indications and Usage]:Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus (methicillin-susceptible strains) Streptococcus pneumoniae (penicillin-susceptible strains) Streptococcus pyogenesAnaerobic bacteria Clostridium perfringens Fusobacterium necrophorum Fusobacterium nucleatum Peptostreptococcus anaerobius Prevotella melaninogenicaThe following in vitro data are available, but their clinical significance is unknown. At least 90 percent of the following bacteria exhibit an in vitro minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) less than or equal to the susceptible breakpoint for clindamycin against isolates of similar genus or organism group. However, the efficacy of clindamycin in treating clinical infections due to these bacteria has not been established in adequate and well-controlled clinical trials.Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus epidermidis (methicillin-susceptible strains) Streptococcus agalactiae Streptococcus anginosus Streptococcus mitis Streptococcus oralisAnaerobic bacteria Actinomyces israelii Clostridium clostridioforme Eggerthella lenta Finegoldia (Peptostreptococcus) magna Micromonas (Peptostreptococcus) micros Prevotella bivia Prevotella intermedia Propionibacterium acnes. Staphylococcus aureus (methicillin-susceptible strains). Streptococcus pneumoniae (penicillin-susceptible strains). Streptococcus pyogenes. Clostridium perfringens. Fusobacterium necrophorum. Fusobacterium nucleatum. Peptostreptococcus anaerobius. Prevotella melaninogenica. Staphylococcus epidermidis (methicillin-susceptible strains). Streptococcus agalactiae. Streptococcus anginosus. Streptococcus mitis. Streptococcus oralis. Actinomyces israelii. Clostridium clostridioforme. Eggerthella lenta. Finegoldia (Peptostreptococcus) magna. Micromonas (Peptostreptococcus) micros. Prevotella bivia. Prevotella intermedia. Propionibacterium acnes. Susceptibility Testing. For specific information regarding susceptibility test interpretive criteria and associated test methods and quality control standards recognized by FDA for this drug, please see: https://www.fda.gov/STIC.

DESCRIPTION SECTION.

DESCRIPTION. CLEOCIN PHOSPHATE Sterile Solution in vials contains clindamycin phosphate, water soluble ester of clindamycin and phosphoric acid. Each mL contains the equivalent of 150 mg clindamycin, 0.5 mg disodium edetate and 9.45 mg benzyl alcohol added as preservative in each mL. Clindamycin is semisynthetic antibiotic produced by 7(S)-chloro-substitution of the 7(R)-hydroxyl group of the parent compound lincomycin.The chemical name of clindamycin phosphate is L-threo--D-galacto-Octopyranoside, methyl-7-chloro-6,7,8-trideoxy-6-[[(1-methyl-4-propyl-2-pyrrolidinyl)carbonyl] amino]-1-thio-, 2-(dihydrogen phosphate), (2S-trans)-.The molecular formula is C18H34CIN208PS and the molecular weight is 504.96.The structural formula is represented below:CLEOCIN PHOSPHATE IV Solution in the GALAXY plastic container for intravenous use is composed of clindamycin phosphate equivalent to 300, 600 and 900 mg of clindamycin premixed with 5% dextrose as sterile solution. Disodium edetate has been added at concentration of 0.04 mg/mL. The pH has been adjusted with sodium hydroxide and/or hydrochloric acid.The plastic container is fabricated from specially designed multilayer plastic, PL 2501. Solutions in contact with the plastic container can leach out certain of its chemical components in very small amounts within the expiration period. The suitability of the plastic has been confirmed in tests in animals according to the USP biological tests for plastic containers, as well as by tissue culture toxicity studies.. Chemical Structure.

DOSAGE & ADMINISTRATION SECTION.

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION. If diarrhea occurs during therapy, this antibiotic should be discontinued (see WARNING box).Clindamycin phosphate IM administration should be used undiluted.Clindamycin phosphate IV administration should be diluted (see Dilution for IV use and IV infusion rates below). Adults. Parenteral (IM or IV Administration): Serious infections due to aerobic gram-positive cocci and the more susceptible anaerobes (NOT generally including Bacteroides fragilis, Peptococcus species and Clostridium species other than Clostridium perfringens):600-1200 mg/day in 2, or equal doses.More severe infections, particularly those due to proven or suspected Bacteroides fragilis, Peptococcus species, or Clostridium species other than Clostridium perfringens:1200-2700 mg/day in 2, or equal doses.For more serious infections, these doses may have to be increased. In life-threatening situations due to either aerobes or anaerobes these doses may be increased. Doses of as much as 4800 mg daily have been given intravenously to adults. See Dilution for IV use and IV Infusion Rates section below.Single intramuscular injections of greater than 600 mg are not recommended.Alternatively, drug may be administered in the form of single rapid infusion of the first dose followed by continuous IV infusion as follows:Table 2: Serum Clindamycin Levels Maintained, Rapid Infusion Rate and Maintenance Infusion RateTo maintain serum clindamycin levelsRapid infusion rateMaintenance infusion rateAbove mcg/mL10 mg/min for 30 min0.75 mg/minAbove mcg/mL15 mg/min for 30 min1.00 mg/minAbove mcg/mL20 mg/min for 30 min1.25 mg/min. Pediatric Patients month of age to 16 years. Parenteral (IM or IV) Administration: 20 to 40 mg/kg/day in or equal doses. The higher doses would be used for more severe infections. Clindamycin should be dosed based on total body weight regardless of obesity. As an alternative to dosing on body weight basis, pediatric patients may be dosed on the basis of square meters body surface: 350 mg/m2/day for serious infections and 450 mg/m2/day for more severe infections.Parenteral therapy may be changed to oral CLEOCIN PEDIATRIC(R) Flavored Granules (clindamycin palmitate hydrochloride) or CLEOCIN HCl(R) Capsules (clindamycin hydrochloride) when the condition warrants and at the discretion of the physician.In cases of -hemolytic streptococcal infections, treatment should be continued for at least 10 days.. Pediatric Patients less than month. The recommended dosage is 15 to 20 mg/kg/day in to equal doses. See Table regarding the dosing regimen for pediatric patients with post-menstrual age (PMA) less than or equal to 32 weeks, or greater than 32 weeks to less than or equal to 40 weeks.Table 3: Dosing Regimens for Pediatric Patients with PMA less than or equal to 32 weeks, or greater than 32 weeks to less than or equal to 40 weeksPMA (weeks)Dose (mg/kg)Dosing Interval (hours)PMA: Post-Menstrual ageLess than or equal to 3258Greater than or equal to 32 to less than or equal to 4078. Dilution for IV use and IV Infusion Rates. The concentration of clindamycin in diluent for infusion should not exceed 18 mg per mL. Infusion rates should not exceed 30 mg per minute. The usual infusion dilutions and rates are as follows:DoseDiluentTime300 mg50 mL10 min600 mg50 mL20 min900 mg50-100 mL30 min1200 mg 100 mL40 minAdministration of more than 1200 mg in single 1-hour infusion is not recommended.Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit.. Dilution and Compatibility. Physical and biological compatibility studies monitored for 24 hours at room temperature have demonstrated no inactivation or incompatibility with the use of CLEOCIN PHOSPHATE Sterile Solution (clindamycin phosphate) in IV solutions containing sodium chloride, glucose, calcium or potassium, and solutions containing vitamin complex in concentrations usually used clinically. No incompatibility has been demonstrated with the antibiotics cephalothin, kanamycin, gentamicin, penicillin or carbenicillin.The following drugs are physically incompatible with clindamycin phosphate: ampicillin sodium, phenytoin sodium, barbiturates, aminophylline, calcium gluconate, and magnesium sulfate.The compatibility and duration of stability of drug admixtures will vary depending on concentration and other conditions. Physico-Chemical Stability of Diluted Solutions of CLEOCIN PHOSPHATE. Room Temperature: 6, and 12 mg/mL (equivalent to clindamycin base) in dextrose injection 5%, sodium chloride injection 0.9%, or Lactated Ringers Injection in glass bottles, demonstrated physical and chemical stability for at least 16 days at 25C.Refrigeration: 6, and 12 mg/mL (equivalent to clindamycin base) in dextrose injection 5%, sodium chloride injection 0.9%, or Lactated Ringers Injection in glass bottles, demonstrated physical and chemical stability for at least 32 days at 4C.IMPORTANT: This chemical stability information in no way indicates that it would be acceptable practice to use this product well after the preparation time. Good professional practice suggests that compounded admixtures should be administered as soon after preparation as is feasible.

GENERAL PRECAUTIONS SECTION.

General. Review of experience to date suggests that subgroup of older patients with associated severe illness may tolerate diarrhea less well. When clindamycin is indicated in these patients, they should be carefully monitored for change in bowel frequency.CLEOCIN PHOSPHATE products should be prescribed with caution in individuals with history of gastrointestinal disease, particularly colitis.CLEOCIN PHOSPHATE should be prescribed with caution in atopic individuals.Certain infections may require incision and drainage or other indicated surgical procedures in addition to antibiotic therapy.The use of CLEOCIN PHOSPHATE may result in overgrowth of nonsusceptible organisms-particularly yeasts. Should superinfections occur, appropriate measures should be taken as indicated by the clinical situation.CLEOCIN PHOSPHATE should not be injected intravenously undiluted as bolus, but should be infused over at least 10-60 minutes as directed in the DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION section.Clindamycin dosage modification is not necessary in patients with renal disease. In patients with moderate to severe liver disease, prolongation of clindamycin half-life has been found. However, it was postulated from studies that when given every eight hours, accumulation should rarely occur. Therefore, dosage modification in patients with liver disease may not be necessary. However, periodic liver enzyme determinations should be made when treating patients with severe liver disease.Prescribing CLEOCIN PHOSPHATE in the absence of proven or strongly suspected bacterial infection or prophylactic indication is unlikely to provide benefit to the patient and increases the risk of the development of drug-resistant bacteria.

INDICATIONS & USAGE SECTION.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE. CLEOCIN PHOSPHATE products are indicated in the treatment of serious infections caused by susceptible anaerobic bacteria.CLEOCIN PHOSPHATE products are also indicated in the treatment of serious infections due to susceptible strains of streptococci, pneumococci, and staphylococci. Its use should be reserved for penicillin-allergic patients or other patients for whom, in the judgment of the physician, penicillin is inappropriate. Because of the risk of antibiotic-associated pseudomembranous colitis, as described in the BOXED WARNING, before selecting clindamycin the physician should consider the nature of the infection and the suitability of less toxic alternatives (e.g., erythromycin).Bacteriologic studies should be performed to determine the causative organisms and their susceptibility to clindamycin.Indicated surgical procedures should be performed in conjunction with antibiotic therapy.CLEOCIN PHOSPHATE is indicated in the treatment of serious infections caused by susceptible strains of the designated organisms in the conditions listed below:Lower respiratory tract infections including pneumonia, empyema, and lung abscess caused by anaerobes, Streptococcus pneumoniae, other streptococci (except E. faecalis), and Staphylococcus aureus. Skin and skin structure infections caused by Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, and anaerobes.Gynecological infections including endometritis, nongonococcal tubo-ovarian abscess, pelvic cellulitis, and postsurgical vaginal cuff infection caused by susceptible anaerobes.Intra-abdominal infections including peritonitis and intra-abdominal abscess caused by susceptible anaerobic organisms.Septicemia caused by Staphylococcus aureus, streptococci (except Enterococcus faecalis), and susceptible anaerobes.Bone and joint infections including acute hematogenous osteomyelitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus and as adjunctive therapy in the surgical treatment of chronic bone and joint infections due to susceptible organisms.To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of CLEOCIN PHOSPHATE and other antibacterial drugs, CLEOCIN PHOSPHATE should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria. When culture and susceptibility information are available, they should be considered in selecting or modifying antibacterial therapy. In the absence of such data, local epidemiology and susceptibility patterns may contribute to the empiric selection of therapy.

MICROBIOLOGY SECTION.

Microbiology. Mechanism of Action. Clindamycin inhibits bacterial protein synthesis by binding to the 23S RNA of the 50S subunit of the ribosome. Clindamycin is bacteriostatic. Resistance. Resistance to clindamycin is most often caused by modification of specific bases of the 23S ribosomal RNA. Cross-resistance between clindamycin and lincomycin is complete. Because the binding sites for these antibacterial drugs overlap, cross-resistance is sometimes observed among lincosamides, macrolides and streptogramin B. Macrolide-inducible resistance to clindamycin occurs in some isolates of macrolide-resistant bacteria. Macrolide-resistant isolates of staphylococci and beta-hemolytic streptococci should be screened for induction of clindamycin resistance using the D-zone test. Antimicrobial Activity. Clindamycin has been shown to be active against most of the isolates of the following microorganisms, both in vitro and in clinical infections [see Indications and Usage]:Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus (methicillin-susceptible strains) Streptococcus pneumoniae (penicillin-susceptible strains) Streptococcus pyogenesAnaerobic bacteria Clostridium perfringens Fusobacterium necrophorum Fusobacterium nucleatum Peptostreptococcus anaerobius Prevotella melaninogenicaThe following in vitro data are available, but their clinical significance is unknown. At least 90 percent of the following bacteria exhibit an in vitro minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) less than or equal to the susceptible breakpoint for clindamycin against isolates of similar genus or organism group. However, the efficacy of clindamycin in treating clinical infections due to these bacteria has not been established in adequate and well-controlled clinical trials.Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus epidermidis (methicillin-susceptible strains) Streptococcus agalactiae Streptococcus anginosus Streptococcus mitis Streptococcus oralisAnaerobic bacteria Actinomyces israelii Clostridium clostridioforme Eggerthella lenta Finegoldia (Peptostreptococcus) magna Micromonas (Peptostreptococcus) micros Prevotella bivia Prevotella intermedia Propionibacterium acnes. Staphylococcus aureus (methicillin-susceptible strains). Streptococcus pneumoniae (penicillin-susceptible strains). Streptococcus pyogenes. Clostridium perfringens. Fusobacterium necrophorum. Fusobacterium nucleatum. Peptostreptococcus anaerobius. Prevotella melaninogenica. Staphylococcus epidermidis (methicillin-susceptible strains). Streptococcus agalactiae. Streptococcus anginosus. Streptococcus mitis. Streptococcus oralis. Actinomyces israelii. Clostridium clostridioforme. Eggerthella lenta. Finegoldia (Peptostreptococcus) magna. Micromonas (Peptostreptococcus) micros. Prevotella bivia. Prevotella intermedia. Propionibacterium acnes. Susceptibility Testing. For specific information regarding susceptibility test interpretive criteria and associated test methods and quality control standards recognized by FDA for this drug, please see: https://www.fda.gov/STIC.

PRECAUTIONS SECTION.

PRECAUTIONS. General. Review of experience to date suggests that subgroup of older patients with associated severe illness may tolerate diarrhea less well. When clindamycin is indicated in these patients, they should be carefully monitored for change in bowel frequency.CLEOCIN PHOSPHATE products should be prescribed with caution in individuals with history of gastrointestinal disease, particularly colitis.CLEOCIN PHOSPHATE should be prescribed with caution in atopic individuals.Certain infections may require incision and drainage or other indicated surgical procedures in addition to antibiotic therapy.The use of CLEOCIN PHOSPHATE may result in overgrowth of nonsusceptible organisms-particularly yeasts. Should superinfections occur, appropriate measures should be taken as indicated by the clinical situation.CLEOCIN PHOSPHATE should not be injected intravenously undiluted as bolus, but should be infused over at least 10-60 minutes as directed in the DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION section.Clindamycin dosage modification is not necessary in patients with renal disease. In patients with moderate to severe liver disease, prolongation of clindamycin half-life has been found. However, it was postulated from studies that when given every eight hours, accumulation should rarely occur. Therefore, dosage modification in patients with liver disease may not be necessary. However, periodic liver enzyme determinations should be made when treating patients with severe liver disease.Prescribing CLEOCIN PHOSPHATE in the absence of proven or strongly suspected bacterial infection or prophylactic indication is unlikely to provide benefit to the patient and increases the risk of the development of drug-resistant bacteria.. Information for Patients. Patients should be counseled that antibacterial drugs including CLEOCIN PHOSPHATE should only be used to treat bacterial infections. They do not treat viral infections (e.g., the common cold). When CLEOCIN PHOSPHATE is prescribed to treat bacterial infection, patients should be told that although it is common to feel better early in the course of therapy, the medication should be taken exactly as directed. Skipping doses or not completing the full course of therapy may (1) decrease the effectiveness of the immediate treatment and (2) increase the likelihood that bacteria will develop resistance and will not be treatable by CLEOCIN PHOSPHATE or other antibacterial drugs in the future.Diarrhea is common problem caused by antibiotics which usually ends when the antibiotic is discontinued. Sometimes after starting treatment with antibiotics, patients can develop watery and bloody stools (with or without stomach cramps and fever) even as late as two or more months after having taken the last dose of the antibiotic. If this occurs, patients should contact their physician as soon as possible.. Laboratory Tests. During prolonged therapy periodic liver and kidney function tests and blood counts should be performed.. 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.Clindamycin is metabolized predominantly by CYP3A4, and to lesser extent by CYP3A5, to the major metabolite clindamycin sulfoxide and minor metabolite N-desmethylclindamycin. Therefore, inhibitors of CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 may increase plasma concentrations of clindamycin and inducers of these isoenzymes may reduce plasma concentrations of clindamycin. In the presence of strong CYP3A4 inhibitors, monitor for adverse reactions. In the presence of strong CYP3A4 inducers such as rifampicin, monitor for loss of effectiveness.In vitro studies indicate that clindamycin does not inhibit CYP1A2, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2E1 or CYP2D6 and only moderately inhibits CYP3A4.. Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility. Long term studies in animals have not been performed with clindamycin to evaluate carcinogenic potential. Genotoxicity tests performed included rat micronucleus test and an Ames Salmonella reversion test. Both tests were negative.Fertility studies in rats treated orally with up to 300 mg/kg/day (approximately 1.1 times the highest recommended adult human dose based on mg/m2) revealed no effects on fertility or mating ability.. Pregnancy. Teratogenic effects. In clinical trials with pregnant women, the systemic administration of clindamycin during the second and third trimesters, has not been associated with an increased frequency of congenital abnormalities.Clindamycin should be used during the first trimester of pregnancy only if clearly needed. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women during the first trimester of pregnancy. Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of the human response, this drug should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed.Reproduction studies performed in rats and mice using oral doses of clindamycin up to 600 mg/kg/day (2.1 and 1.1 times the highest recommended adult human dose based on mg/m2, respectively) or subcutaneous doses of clindamycin up to 250 mg/kg/day (0.9 and 0.5 times the highest recommended adult human dose based on mg/m2, respectively) revealed no evidence of teratogenicity.CLEOCIN PHOSPHATE Sterile Solution contains benzyl alcohol. Benzyl alcohol can cross the placenta. See WARNINGS.. Nursing Mothers. Limited published data based on breast milk sampling reports that clindamycin appears in human breast milk in the range of less than 0.5 to 3.8 mcg/mL at dosages of 150 mg orally to 600 mg intravenously. Clindamycin has the potential to cause adverse effects on the breast-fed infants gastrointestinal flora. If oral or intravenous clindamycin is required by nursing mother, it is not reason to discontinue breastfeeding, but an alternate drug may be preferred. Monitor the breast-fed infant for possible adverse effects on the gastrointestinal flora, such as diarrhea, candidiasis (thrush, diaper rash) or rarely, blood in the stool indicating possible antibiotic-associated colitis.The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mothers clinical need for clindamycin and any potential adverse effects on the breast-fed child from clindamycin or from the underlying maternal condition.. Pediatric Use. When CLEOCIN PHOSPHATE Sterile Solution is administered to the pediatric population (birth to 16 years) appropriate monitoring of organ system functions is desirable (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY and DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION).. Usage in Newborns and Infants. This product contains benzyl alcohol as preservative. Benzyl alcohol has been associated with fatal Gasping Syndrome in premature infants. See WARNINGS.The potential for the toxic effect in the pediatric population from chemicals that may leach from the single dose premixed IV preparation in plastic has not been evaluated. See WARNINGS.. Geriatric Use. Clinical studies of clindamycin did not include sufficient numbers of patients age 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger patients. However, other reported clinical experience indicates that antibiotic-associated colitis and diarrhea (due to Clostridioides difficile) seen in association with most antibiotics occur more frequently in the elderly (>60 years) and may be more severe. These patients should be carefully monitored for the development of diarrhea.Pharmacokinetic studies with clindamycin have shown no clinically important differences between young and elderly subjects with normal hepatic function and normal (age-adjusted) renal function after oral or intravenous administration.

WARNINGS SECTION.

WARNINGS. See BOXED WARNING.. Clostridioides difficile Associated Diarrhea. Clostridioides difficile associated diarrhea (CDAD) has been reported with use of nearly all antibacterial agents, including CLEOCIN PHOSPHATE, and may range in severity from mild diarrhea to fatal colitis. Treatment with antibacterial agents alters the normal flora of the colon leading to overgrowth of C. difficile.C. difficile produces toxins and which contribute to the development of CDAD. Hypertoxin producing strains of C. difficile cause increased morbidity and mortality, as these infections can be refractory to antimicrobial therapy and may require colectomy. CDAD must be considered in all patients who present with diarrhea following antibiotic use. Careful medical history is necessary since CDAD has been reported to occur over two months after the administration of antibacterial agents.If CDAD is suspected or confirmed, ongoing antibiotic use not directed against C. difficile may need to be discontinued. Appropriate fluid and electrolyte management, protein supplementation, antibiotic treatment of C. difficile, and surgical evaluation should be instituted as clinically indicated.. Anaphylactic and Severe Hypersensitivity Reactions. Anaphylactic shock and anaphylactic reactions have been reported (see ADVERSE REACTIONS).Severe hypersensitivity reactions, including severe skin reactions such as toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), and Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), some with fatal outcome, have been reported (see ADVERSE REACTIONS).In case of such an anaphylactic or severe hypersensitivity reaction, discontinue treatment permanently and institute appropriate therapy.A careful inquiry should be made concerning previous sensitivities to drugs and other allergens.. Benzyl Alcohol Toxicity in Neonates (Gasping Syndrome). This product contains benzyl alcohol as preservative. The administration of intravenous solutions containing the preservative benzyl alcohol has been associated with the gasping syndrome, and death in neonates. Symptoms include striking onset of gasping respiration, hypotension, bradycardia, and cardiovascular collapse. Although the normal therapeutic dose of this product delivers amounts of benzyl alcohol that are substantially lower than those reported in association with the gasping syndrome, the minimum amount of benzyl alcohol at which toxicity may occur is not known and total daily benzyl alcohol exposure may be increased by concomitant medications.The risk of benzyl alcohol toxicity depends on the quantity administered and the liver and kidneys capacity to detoxify the chemical. Premature and low birth weight infants may be more likely to develop toxicity.. Renal Toxicity. Clindamycin is potentially nephrotoxic. Acute kidney injury including acute renal failure has been reported. Therefore, monitoring of renal function should be considered during therapy of patients with pre-existing renal dysfunction or taking concomitant nephrotoxic drugs and monitoring of renal function should be performed if therapy is prolonged.. Usage in Meningitis. Since clindamycin does not diffuse adequately into the cerebrospinal fluid, the drug should not be used in the treatment of meningitis.