Clindamycin Phosphate (clindamycin phosphate) - Dosing, PA Forms & Info (2026)
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    1. Home
    2. Clindamycin Phosphate - Clindamycin Phosphate lotion

    Get your patient on Clindamycin Phosphate - Clindamycin Phosphate lotion (Clindamycin Phosphate)

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    Prescribing informationPubMed™ news

    Clindamycin Phosphate - Clindamycin Phosphate lotion prescribing information

    • Indications & usage
    • Dosage & administration
    • Contraindications
    • Adverse reactions
    • Drug interactions
    • Description
    • Pharmacology
    • How supplied/storage & handling
    • Mechanism of action
    • Data source
    • Indications & usage
    • Dosage & administration
    • Contraindications
    • Adverse reactions
    • Drug interactions
    • Description
    • Pharmacology
    • How supplied/storage & handling
    • Mechanism of action
    • Data source
    Prescribing Information
    Indications & Usage

    INDICATIONS AND USAGE

    Clindamycin phosphate topical lotion is indicated in the treatment of acne vulgaris. In view of the potential for diarrhea, bloody diarrhea and pseudomembranous colitis, the physician should consider whether other agents are more appropriate (see CONTRAINDICATIONS , WARNINGS and ADVERSE REACTIONS ).

    Dosage & Administration

    DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

    Apply a thin film of clindamycin phosphate topical lotion, 1% twice daily to affected area.

    Shake well immediately before using.

    Keep all liquid dosage forms in containers tightly closed.

    Contraindications

    CONTRAINDICATIONS

    Clindamycin phosphate topical lotion is contraindicated in individuals with a history of hypersensitivity to preparations containing clindamycin or lincomycin, a history of regional enteritis or ulcerative colitis, or a history of antibiotic-associated colitis.

    Adverse Reactions

    ADVERSE REACTIONS

    In 18 clinical studies of various formulations of clindamycin phosphate using placebo vehicle and/or active comparator drugs as controls, patients experienced a number of treatment emergent adverse dermatologic events [see table below].

    Number of Patients Reporting Events
    Treatment
    Emergent
    Adverse Event
    Solution
    n=553 (%)
    Gel
    n=148 (%)
    Lotion
    n=160 (%)
    # not recorded
    Burning 62 (11) 15 (10) 17 (11)
    Itching 36 (7) 15 (10) 17 (11)
    Burning/Itching 60 (11) # ( – ) # ( – )
    Dryness 105 (19) 34 (23) 29 (18)
    Erythema 86 (16) 10 ( 7) 22 (14)
    Oiliness/Oily Skin 8 ( 1) 26 (18) 12 of 126 subjects (10)
    Peeling 61 (11) # ( – ) 11 ( 7)

    Orally and parenterally administered clindamycin has been associated with severe colitis which may end fatally.

    Cases of diarrhea, bloody diarrhea and colitis (including pseudomembranous colitis) have been reported as adverse reactions in patients treated with oral and parenteral formulations of clindamycin and rarely with topical clindamycin (see WARNINGS ).

    Abdominal pain, gastrointestinal disturbances, gram-negative folliculitis, eye pain and contact dermatitis have also been reported in association with the use of topical formulations of clindamycin.

    Drug Interactions

    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.

    Description

    DESCRIPTION

    Clindamycin Phosphate Topical Lotion, 1% contains clindamycin phosphate, USP, at a concentration equivalent to 10 mg clindamycin per milliliter.

    Clindamycin phosphate is a water soluble ester of the semi-synthetic antibiotic produced by a 7(S)-chloro-substitution of the 7(R)-hydroxyl group of the parent antibiotic lincomycin.

    The lotion contains cetostearyl alcohol (2.5%); glycerin; glyceryl stearate SE (with potassium monostearate);isostearyl alcohol (2.5%); methylparaben (0.3%); purified water; sodium lauroyl sarcosinate and stearic acid.

    The structural formula is represented below:

    Referenced Image

    The chemical name for clindamycin phosphate is Methyl 7-chloro-6,7,8-trideoxy-6-(1-methyl- trans -4-propyl-L-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamido)-1-thio-L- threo -α-D- galacto -octopyranoside 2-(dihydrogen phosphate).

    Pharmacology

    CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY

    Mechanism of Action

    The mechanism of action of clindamycin in treating acne vulgaris is unknown.

    Pharmacokinetics

    Following multiple topical applications of clindamycin phosphate at a concentration equivalent to 10 mg clindamycin per mL in an isopropyl alcohol and water solution, very low levels of clindamycin are present in the serum (0 to 3 ng/mL) and less than 0.2% of the dose is recovered in urine as clindamycin.

    Although clindamycin phosphate is inactive in vitro , rapid in vivo hydrolysis converts this compound to the antibacterially active clindamycin.

    Microbiology

    Clindamycin inhibits bacterial protein synthesis by binding to the 23S RNA of the 50S subunit of the ribosome. Clindamycin is bacteriostatic.

    Antimicrobial Activity

    Clindamycin is active in vitro against most isolates of Propionibacterium acnes; however, the clinical significance is unknown.

    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.

    How Supplied/Storage & Handling

    HOW SUPPLIED

    Clindamycin Phosphate Topical Lotion, 1% containing clindamycin phosphate equivalent to 10 mg clindamycin per milliliter is available in the following size:

    60 mL plastic squeeze bottle – NDC 21922-036-01

    Store at controlled room temperature 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F) [see USP].


    Protect from freezing.

    Rx only

    Mechanism of Action

    Mechanism of Action

    The mechanism of action of clindamycin in treating acne vulgaris is unknown.

    Data SourceWe receive information directly from the FDA and PrescriberPoint is updated as frequently as changes are made available
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