clindamycin (dalacin - HIV Medication Guide

CLINDAMYCIN (DALACIN®)
HIV Medication Guide
www.jag.on.ca/HIV
150 and 300 mg capsules
Flavoured granules for 15 mg/mL oral solution
How does this medication work ?
Clindamycin is used with other antibiotics
to treat a number of infections, such as
Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP)
and toxoplasmosis.
How do I take this medication ?
Your dosage
.
.
What are the side effects of this
medication ?
The most frequent side effects are abdominal pain and
cramps, nausea, vomiting and mild diarrhea or loose
stools. To lessen these effects, take clindamycin with
food. Advise your doctor if the diarrhea is severe or
persists, or if there is blood in your stool.
An allergic reaction may sometimes occur. If you
notice the appearance of a skin eruption (rash, redness
with or without itching) or other effect on your
skin, or have difficulty in breathing, stop taking the
medication and inform your doctor immediately.
Clindamycin
____ capsules of ______ mg
or
____ mL, 15 mg/mL
____ times a day
Clindamycin should preferably be taken with food to
lessen digestive side effects.
It is important to take clindamycin regularly, at
the same time each day, for the duration of your
treatment, even if you feel better after a while.
Never stop your treatment without first speaking to
your doctor.
.
Can I take clindamycin with my
other medications ?
Absorbent
antidiarrheals
with
kaolin
®
(Donnagel ) or attapulgite (Kaopectate®,
Donnagel®, Diban®) may reduce the absorption
of clindamycin. Take these products 2 hours
before or 3-4 hours after clindamycin.
Consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking any
new medication, whether on prescription or not, any
natural products or recreational drugs.
What if I forget to take a dose ?
Take the dose you missed as soon as
possible, and then continue with your
regular schedule.
If it is nearly time for your next dose, take the
forgotten dose immediately and the next dose 2 to 4
hours after. Then go back to your normal schedule.
© April 2002, R Therrien and JA Gagnon
Clindamycin - 1
HIV Medication Guide
Storage
Can I drink alcohol if I’m on
clindamycin?
Avoid the excessive or regular consumption of
alcoholic beverages (beer, wine, spirits) as these may
interact with some of your medications.
However, do not miss a dose of your medication
because you want to have a drink. Unless your doctor
tells you otherwise, reasonable (social) consumption
should not be harmful to your health.
Clindamycin capsules must be
kept in a dry place, at room
temperature (20 to 25°C or 68
to 77°F), and protected from
light. Avoid humidity (bathrooms,
etc.).
The reconstituted oral solution is
stable for a period of 14 days at
room temperature (15 to 25°C or 59
to 77°F). Do not refrigerate.
Place out of the sight and reach of children.
What if I’m pregnant or breast-feeding ?
The effects of clindamycin on
pregnancy are not yet known. If you
are, or want to become pregnant, talk
to your doctor about taking it.
As the virus can be transmitted via maternal milk,
breast-feeding is not recommended in women who
are HIV-positive.
General advice
Always keep your appointments
with your doctor and the care team,
so that your condition can be closely
monitored.
If you have any questions about your
medications or need help on how to
schedule when to take them, please
contact your doctor or pharmacist,
who know your medication well.
Contact person: __________________________
Telephone : __________________________
© April 2002, R Therrien and JA Gagnon
Clindamycin - 2
http://www.jag.on.ca/HIV