{"id":60721,"date":"2023-10-06T12:04:14","date_gmt":"2023-10-06T16:04:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=60721"},"modified":"2024-03-18T18:58:28","modified_gmt":"2024-03-18T22:58:28","slug":"clindamycin-alternatives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/clindamycin-alternatives\/","title":{"rendered":"Clindamycin (Cleocin) alternatives: What can I take instead of clindamycin?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Compare clindamycin alternatives<\/a> | Doxycycline<\/a> | Amoxicillin<\/a> | Augmentin<\/a> | Bactrim<\/a> | Zithromax<\/a> | Natural alternatives<\/a> | How to switch meds<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Clindamycin<\/span><\/a> is an antibiotic that\u2019s used to treat several types of bacterial infections, such as <\/span>pneumonia<\/span><\/a>, skin infections, and stomach infections. It\u2019s typically only prescribed for infections when penicillin isn\u2019t an option. Clindamycin is available in several forms, such as an oral capsule, injection, topical cream, and intravaginal suppository. Clindamycin belongs to a class of drugs called lincosamide antibiotics. It works by blocking bacterial protein synthesis. This stops the growth and spread of bacteria. Clindamycin is a generic medication but is also available as a brand-name drug called <\/span>Cleocin<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While clindamycin is an effective treatment option for people, it may not be the safest antibiotic for everyone. Clindamycin has a <\/span>boxed warning<\/span><\/a>, the strongest warning issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Clindamycin\u2019s boxed warning is due to its risk of a severe, life-threatening infection called <\/span>Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD)<\/span><\/a>. Clindamycin can change the normal bacteria in the intestine, leading to an overgrowth of a bacteria called <\/span>C. difficile. <\/span><\/i>This bacteria can cause inflammation in the colon, which can cause mild to severe diarrhea or life-threatening <\/span>colitis<\/span><\/a>. Almost all antibiotics have a risk of CDAD; however, clindamycin is <\/span>known to have the highest risk<\/span><\/a>. Therefore, clindamycin should only be prescribed for serious infections when other less toxic antibiotics aren\u2019t an option.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

People may also seek an alternative treatment if clindamycin isn\u2019t clearing their infection fully. Whatever the reason is, there are alternative medications to clindamycin that you can discuss with your healthcare professional.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>8 antibiotics that cause C.Diff<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

What can I take in place of clindamycin?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Other options are available to treat infections that do not improve with clindamycin or when clindamycin is causing <\/span>side effects<\/span>. These alternative prescription medications include other lincosamide antibiotics or other types of antibiotics, such as <\/span>macrolides<\/span><\/a>, beta-lactams, and <\/span>fluoroquinolones<\/span><\/a>. These options may suit certain people due to their different uses, side effect profiles, and dosages.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Compare Cleocin (clindamycin) alternatives<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

Drug name<\/b><\/td>\nUses<\/b><\/td>\nDosage<\/b><\/td>\nSavings options<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Clindamycin (Cleocin)<\/span><\/td>\nSerious bacterial infections, including:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
    \n
  • Skin infections<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Respiratory infections such as lung abscesses<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Lung infections<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Stomach infections<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Genital tract infections<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
Take 150 mg to 450 mg by mouth every 6 hours<\/span><\/td>\nClindamycin coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Doxycycline (Vibramycin, Oracea, Doryx)<\/span><\/td>\nBacterial infections, <\/span>including<\/span><\/a>:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
    \n
  • Acne<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Urinary tract infections<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Intestinal infections<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Eye infections<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Gonorrhea<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Periodontitis<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Malaria prophylaxis (prevention)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
Varies depending on the medical condition being treated. A typical dosage is 100 mg by mouth once or twice a day.\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nDoxycycline coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Azithromycin (Zithromax)<\/span><\/td>\nBacterial infections, <\/span>including<\/span><\/a>:<\/span><\/p>\n
    \n
  • Pneumonia<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Skin infections<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Ear infections<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Sinus infections<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Sexually transmitted diseases<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
Varies depending on the medical condition being treated. A typical dosage is 500 mg by mouth as a single dose on day 1, followed by 250 mg once daily on days 2 through 5.\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nAzithromycin coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Amoxicillin<\/span><\/td>\nBacterial infections, <\/span>including<\/span><\/a>:<\/span><\/p>\n
    \n
  • Ear infections<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Throat infections<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Skin infections<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Lower respiratory tract infections<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
Varies depending on the medical condition being treated. A typical dosage is 500 mg by mouth every 8 hours.<\/span><\/td>\nAmoxicillin coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cephalexin (Keflex)<\/span><\/td>\nBacterial infections, <\/span>including<\/span><\/a>:<\/span><\/p>\n
    \n
  • Respiratory tract infections<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Ear infections<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Skin infections<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Bone infections<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
Take 250 mg by mouth every 6 hours.<\/span><\/td>\nCephalexin coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Metronidazole (Flagyl)<\/span><\/td>\nBacterial infections, <\/span>including<\/span><\/a>:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
    \n
  • Vaginal infections<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Stomach infections<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Skin infections<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Bone Infections<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Heart infections<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
Varies depending on the medical condition being treated.\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nMetronidazole coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ciprofloxacin (Cipro)<\/span><\/td>\nBacterial infections, <\/span>including<\/span><\/a>:<\/span><\/p>\n
    \n
  • Skin infections<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Bone and joint infections<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Complicated stomach infections<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Typhoid fever<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Urinary tract infections<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
Varies depending on the medical condition being treated. A typical dosage is 500 mg to 750 mg by mouth every 12 hours<\/span><\/td>\nCiprofloxacin coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Levofloxacin (Levaquin)<\/span><\/td>\nBacterial infections, <\/span>including<\/span><\/a>:<\/span><\/p>\n
    \n
  • Pneumonia<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Skin infections<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Urinary tract infections<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Sinus infections<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Anthrax<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
Varies depending on the medical condition being treated. A typical dosage is 250 mg to 750 mg orally every 24 hours.\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nLevofloxacin coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Bactrim (sulfamethoxazole\/trimethoprim)<\/span><\/td>\nBacterial infections, <\/span>including<\/span><\/a>:<\/span><\/p>\n
    \n
  • Urinary tract infections<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Ear infections<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Certain types of pneumonia<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Traveler\u2019s diarrhea<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Exacerbations (flare-ups) of chronic bronchitis<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
Varies depending on the medical condition being treated. A typical dosage is 800 mg\/160 mg orally every 12 hours.\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nBactrim coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Augmentin (amoxicillin\/clavulanate)<\/span><\/td>\nBacterial infections, <\/span>including<\/span><\/a>:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
    \n
  • Lower respiratory tract infections<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Ear infections<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Sinus infections<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Skin infections<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Urinary tract infections<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
Varies depending on the medical condition being treated. A typical dosage is 875 mg\/125 mg orally every 12 hours.\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nAugmentin coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lincomycin<\/span><\/td>\nSerious bacterial infections<\/span><\/a><\/td>\nVaries depending on the medical condition being treated. This medication is an intramuscular (in the muscle) or intravenous (in the vein) injection.<\/span><\/td>\nLincomycin coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Other alternatives to clindamycin<\/span><\/h3>\n