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Generic Name: Cleocin for Bacterial Infection (clindamycin)

Cleocin for Bacterial Infection Reviews

"Tooth infection. After taking 5 of the 28 pills, I had the worst heartburn of my life and could not even lay down. After 10 of them, I ended up in the ER with chest pains, excruciating heartburn, diarrhea, and the itchiest hives from head to toe. They were, however, very effective at clearing up the infection, which in turn reduced the pain in my mouth significantly. So for me, where tooth pain is almost intolerable, it was a trade-off I accept."


"I have had a staph infection for some time. I was on Bactrim and Cephalexin for 10 days, and they seemed to work until I was out of medication. I was then prescribed Cleocin. I have been on it for a week, and just shy of that week, I started to have side effects. I have never before had any side effects from any medication prescribed, so this was quite a shock. Cleocin seemed to be working on my infection, but I had to discontinue its use early. I had the worst case of heartburn that would hit me in waves of pain, never before had I experienced that type of pain. The inside of my mouth became very raw."


"Well, just took my last dose of this drug. Good riddance!!! While it was effective in getting rid of the infection, it brought with it some very awful side effects: a strange metallic taste, fatigue, loose stools, pelvic cramping, abdominal pain on both sides, stomach discomfort, mood swings. I had to send my kids to a relative's house to finish this med because I have been feeling awful. No one told me to eat probiotics religiously. I do eat yogurt during any antibiotic treatment, but this specific drug requires a little more than a cup of yogurt a day. Day 2, I started taking Florastor, plus eating plain yogurt a lot. I hope I don't get the diarrhea that others have after stopping it. If you must take this, drink water and take probiotics."


"I am currently on day 2 of this medication and I've had some troubling side effects. Very tired, nasty taste in my mouth and bouts of dizziness along with slight tummy upset and feeling foggy at times. I wish I would have been warned before taking it that it's best to take with probiotics, I have been eating yogurt, but from what I've read about this medication, it takes a lot more than yogurt to keep things normal. Thankfully I only have to take it for 4 days, 2 tabs every 6 hours, for a tooth infection. I am hoping I don't develop any of the really awful side effects. The only reason I was prescribed was because I had am allergic reaction to Augmentin. Given the severity of the side effects you'd think they would warn patients."


"I just took my first dosage at 150mg 1/2 hour ago. I am already starting to feel the side effects. Diarrhea, itchy skin, sleepiness, headaches. Feels like my blood vessels about the burst in my head. Horrible! Not sure if I should continue with this med."


"Used two two-week rounds of Cleocin for an abscess. While I had diarrhea the entire time, there is surely not a better drug to bring relief to a staph infection."


"Absolute best antibiotic for a tooth infection. Took as prescribed, and pain was gone in 24 hours on a graduated scale. Pain was bearable within 12 hours with no painkillers."


"Cleocin prescribed for abscessed molar. 500 mg 3x daily. Very effective without significant side effects."


"I hestitate on rating this medication because the side effects were so bad, I had to discontinue it soon after I started. I was on it for chronic UTI's"

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  • Drug class: lincomycin derivatives
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Professional resources

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  • Clindamycin (AHFS Monograph)

Other formulations

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