Question 1

What is clindamycin?

Accepted Answer

Clindamycin phosphate, a lincosamide, 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 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-(alpha)-D-galacto- octopyranoside 2-(dihydrogen phosphate). It has a molecular weight of 504.96, and the molecular formula is C 18 H 34 CIN 2 O 8 PS. The structural formula is represented below: Clindesse is a semi-solid, white cream, which contains clindamycin phosphate, USP, at a concentration equivalent to 20 mg clindamycin base per gram. The cream also contains edetate disodium, glycerol monoisostearate, lecithin, methylparaben, microcrystalline wax, mineral oil, polyglyceryl-3-oleate, propylparaben, purified water, silicon dioxide and sorbitol solution. Clindesse does not comply with the pH test of the USP monograph for clindamycin phosphate vaginal cream. Structural Formula

Question 2

What kind of drug is clindamycin?

Accepted Answer

The FDA classifies clindamycin as a lincosamide antibacterial. Lincosamides such as clindamycin attach to the bacterial ribosome, the cell's protein-building machine, and stop it from linking amino acids together. Because the bacteria can no longer make the proteins they need, their growth is halted or, depending on the organism and dose, they are killed. If you are checking whether it is safe to combine with something else, the class is what matters — two drugs from the same class usually should not be stacked.

Question 3

Can you take clindamycin with other medicines?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the medicine. We check it against the FDA labels rather than guessing: our interaction checker searches each drug's own label for the other and quotes what it says, naming the section it came from. Run clindamycin against whatever else you take — and remember that a label not naming a drug is not the same as that combination being safe.

Question 4

What brand names is clindamycin sold under?

Accepted Answer

We track 11 clindamycin-containing products in the U.S.: Clindesse, Xaciato, Cleocin, Cleocin Hydrochloride, Cleocin Phosphate in Dextrose 5% in Plastic Container, Cleocin T, Cleocin Phosphate and Clindagel, and 3 more. They are the same active ingredient; they differ in form, manufacturer, price and FDA recall record.

Question 5

What forms does clindamycin come in?

Accepted Answer

Across the brands we track, clindamycin is currently marketed as topical, suppository, capsule, injectable, spray/inhaler and solution, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory. Each form is dosed differently — follow the label for the exact product you were prescribed.

Question 6

Is there a generic clindamycin?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our catalog lists 2 generic clindamycin products alongside the brand versions. A generic has the same active ingredient and must meet the FDA's bioequivalence standard; it usually costs less. Ask your pharmacist which one your plan covers.

Question 7

Has clindamycin been recalled?

Accepted Answer

The FDA's Enforcement database lists at least 5 recall records whose product description mentions clindamycin. The most recent: Clindamycin Phosphate USP (Nov 26, 2025). A recall applies to specific lots, not to the drug as a whole — check the record for the affected lot numbers.

#	Drug	Rating	Type	Form	Generic?	Typical price
1	Clindesse	70/100	Prescription	Topical	Generic	$0	View →
2	Xaciato	70/100	Prescription	Topical	Generic

Imprint	Strength	Colour	Shape	Maker
G;144	300 mg	blue	capsule	—
M;41	150 mg	green, blue	capsule	—
RX692;RX692	150 mg	blue, green	capsule	—
RX693;RX693	300 mg	blue, blue	capsule	—
G;143	150 mg	blue, green	capsule	—

Clindamycin: uses, dosing, side effects & brands

Key facts

How clindamycin is dosed

Clindamycin side effects

Who shouldn’t take clindamycin

Every clindamycin product we track (11)

What clindamycin pills look like

Combination products containing clindamycin

Clindamycin recalls

Frequently asked questions

Clindamycin drug interactions