cleocin phosphate
Pharmaranks rates Cleocin Phosphate 2.6/5 for recall safety — an independent score from its FDA recall history and its manufacturer's record. Cleocin Phosphate (Clindamycin Phosphate) is a lincosamide antibacterial used to treat Acne Vulgaris, Actinomycetales Infections, Bacteroides Infections, Pneumocystis Pneumonia.
Clindamycin Phosphate · by Pfizer
Available as a generic: Clindamycin Phosphate
⚠ FDA reports a current shortage of the injection form — availability differs between suppliers — see drug shortages →Based on 1 source · Recall-safety score from FDA recall history — this product's own recalls and its manufacturer's record. Not an efficacy or quality rating. methodology →
Key facts
- Active ingredient
- Clindamycin Phosphate
- Drug class
- Lincosamide Antibacterial
- Form
- Injectable
- Strength
- Clindamycin Phosphate EQ 150MG BASE/ML
- Type
- Prescription (Rx)
- Brand or generic
- Brand-name
- Manufacturer
- Pfizer
- Half-life
- about 2.4 hours (how long it stays in your system)
- What the pharmacy pays
- ~$0.18 per gm — not your price
- FDA application
- NDA050441
- FDA boxed warning
- Yes — see the boxed warning
What is Cleocin Phosphate?
From the FDA label:Sterile Solution in vials contains clindamycin phosphate, a water soluble ester of clindamycin and phosphoric acid. Each mL contains the equivalent of 150 mg clindamycin, 0.5 mg disodium edetate and 9.45 mg benzyl alcohol added as preservative in each mL. Clindamycin is a semisynthetic antibacterial drug produced by a 7(S)-chloro-substitution of the 7(R)-hydroxyl group of the parent compound lincomycin. The chemical name of clindamycin phosphate is L- threo -α-D- galacto- Octopyranoside, methyl-7-chloro-6,7,8-trideoxy-6-[[(1-methyl-4-propyl-2-pyrrolidinyl)carbonyl] amino]-1-thio-, 2-(dihydrogen phosphate), (2 S-trans )-. The molecular formula is C 18 H 34 ClN 2 O 8 PS and the molecular weight is 504.96. The structural formula is represented below: CLEOCIN PHOSPHATE in the ADD-Vantage Vial is intended for intravenous use only after further dilution with appropriate volume of ADD-Vantage diluent base solution (see Directions for Use ) . CLEOCIN PHOSPHATE IV Solution in the GALAXY plastic container for intravenous use is composed of clindamycin phosphate equivalent to 300, 600 and 900 mg of clindamycin premixed with 5% dextrose as a sterile solution. Disodium edetate has been added at a concentration of 0.04 mg/mL. The pH has been adjusted with sodium hydroxide and/or hydrochloric acid. The plastic container is fabricated from a specially designed multilayer plastic, PL 2501.…
How to use
If diarrhea occurs during therapy, this antibacterial drug should be discontinued (see WARNING box ). Clindamycin phosphate IM administration should be used undiluted. Clindamycin phosphate IV administration should be diluted (see Dilution for IV use and IV infusion rates below). Adults: Parenteral (IM or IV Administration): Serious infections due to aerobic gram-positive cocci and the more susceptible anaerobes (NOT generally including Bacteroides fragilis , Peptococcus species and Clostridium species other than Clostridium perfringens ): 600–1200 mg/day in 2, 3 or 4 equal doses. More severe infections, particularly those due to proven or suspected Bacteroides fragilis, Peptococcus species, or Clostridium species other than Clostridium perfringens : 1200–2700 mg/day in 2, 3 or 4 equal doses. For more serious infections, these doses may have to be increased. In life-threatening situations due to either aerobes or anaerobes these doses may be increased. Doses of as much as 4800 mg daily have been given intravenously to adults. See Dilution for IV use and IV Infusion Rates section below. Single intramuscular injections of greater than 600 mg are not recommended. Alternatively, drug may be administered in the form of a single rapid infusion of the first dose followed by continuous IV infusion as follows: Table 2: Serum Clindamycin Levels Maintained, Rapid Infusion Rate and…
Side effects
The following reactions have been reported with the use of clindamycin. Infections and Infestations: Clostridioides difficile colitis Gastrointestinal: Antibacterial drug-associated colitis (see WARNINGS ), pseudomembranous colitis, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. The onset of pseudomembranous colitis symptoms may occur during or after antibacterial treatment (see WARNINGS ). An unpleasant or metallic taste has been reported after intravenous administration of the higher doses of clindamycin phosphate. Hypersensitivity Reactions: Maculopapular rash and urticaria have been observed during drug therapy. Generalized mild to moderate morbilliform-like skin rashes are the most frequently reported of all adverse reactions. Severe skin reactions such as toxic epidermal necrolysis, some with fatal outcome, have been reported (see WARNINGS ). Cases of acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP), erythema multiforme, some resembling Stevens-Johnson syndrome, have been associated with clindamycin. Anaphylactic shock, anaphylactic reaction, hypersensitivity, and acute myocardial ischemia with or without myocardial infarction occurring as part of an allergic reaction have also been reported (see WARNINGS ). Cutaneous vasculitis and symmetrical drug-related intertriginous and flexural exanthema have also been reported. Skin and Mucous Membranes: Pruritus, vaginitis, angioedema…
FDA Boxed Warning (the FDA’s most serious warning)
Boxed (black-box) warning — from the FDA label
Clostridioides difficile- associated diarrhea (CDAD) has been reported with use of nearly all antibacterial agents, including CLEOCIN PHOSPHATE and may range in severity from mild diarrhea to fatal colitis. Treatment with antibacterial agents alters the normal flora of the colon leading to overgrowth of C. difficile . Because CLEOCIN PHOSPHATE therapy has been associated with severe colitis which may end fatally, it should be reserved for serious infections where less toxic antimicrobial agents are inappropriate, as described in the INDICATIONS AND USAGE section. It should not be used in patients with nonbacterial infections such as most upper respiratory tract infections. C. difficile produces toxins A and B which contribute to the development of CDAD. Hypertoxin producing strains of C. difficile cause increased morbidity and mortality, as these infections can be refractory to antimicrobial therapy and may require colectomy. CDAD must be considered in all patients who present with diarrhea following antibacterial drug use. Careful medical history is necessary since CDAD has been reported to occur over two months after the administration of antibacterial agents. If CDAD is suspected or confirmed, ongoing antibacterial drug use not directed against C. difficile may need to be discontinued. Appropriate fluid and electrolyte management, protein supplementation, antibacterial drug treatment of C. difficile , and surgical evaluation should be instituted as clinically indicated.
Warnings
Important safety information
See BOXED WARNING . Clostridioides difficile -Associated Diarrhea Clostridioides difficile -associated diarrhea (CDAD) has been reported with use of nearly all antibacterial agents, including CLEOCIN PHOSPHATE, and may range in severity from mild diarrhea to fatal colitis. Treatment with antibacterial agents alters the normal flora of the colon leading to overgrowth of C. difficile . C. difficile produces toxins A and B which contribute to the development of CDAD. Hypertoxin producing strains of C. difficile cause increased morbidity and mortality, as these infections can be refractory to antimicrobial therapy and may require colectomy. CDAD must be considered in all patients who present with diarrhea following antibacterial drug use. Careful medical history is necessary since CDAD has been reported to occur over two months after the administration of antibacterial agents. If CDAD is suspected or confirmed, ongoing antibacterial drug use not directed against C. difficile may need to be discontinued. Appropriate fluid and electrolyte management, protein supplementation, antibacterial drug treatment of C. difficile , and surgical evaluation should be instituted as clinically indicated. Anaphylactic and Severe Hypersensitivity Reactions Anaphylactic shock and anaphylactic reactions have been reported ( see ADVERSE REACTIONS ) . Severe hypersensitivity reactions, including acute myocardial ischemia with or without myocardial infarction, and severe skin reactions such as toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), some with fatal outcome, have been reported ( see ADVERSE REACTIONS ) . In case of such an anaphylactic or severe hypersensitivity reaction, discontinue treatment permanently and institute appropriate therapy. A careful inquiry should be made concerning previous sensitivities to drugs and other allergens. Benzyl Alcohol Toxicity in Neonates ("Gasping Syndrome") This product contains benzyl alcohol as a preservative. The administration of intravenous solutions containing the preservative benzyl alcohol has been associated with the "gasping syndrome", and death in neonates. Symptoms include a striking onset of gasping respiration, hypotension, bradycardia, and cardiovascular collapse. Although the normal therapeutic dose of this product delivers amounts of benzyl alcohol that are substantially lower than those reported in association with the "gasping syndrome", the minimum amount of benzyl alcohol at which toxicity may occur is not known and total daily benzyl alcohol exposure may be increased by concomitant medications. The risk of benzyl alcohol toxicity depends on the quantity administered and the liver and kidneys' capacity to detoxify the chemical. Premature and low birth weight infants may be more likely to develop toxicity. Nephrotoxicity Clindamycin is potentially nephrotoxic and cases with acute kidney injury have been reported. Consider monitoring of renal function particularly in patients with pre-existing renal dysfunction or those taking concomitant nephrotoxic drugs. In case of acute kidney injury, discontinue CLEOCIN PHOSPHATE when no other etiology is identified. Usage in Meningitis Since clindamycin does not diffuse adequately into the cerebrospinal fluid, the drug should not be used in the treatment of meningitis.
Who should not take Cleocin Phosphate
This drug is contraindicated in individuals with a history of hypersensitivity to preparations containing clindamycin or lincomycin.
Overdose — what happens if you take too much
Significant mortality was observed in mice at an intravenous dose of 855 mg/kg and in rats at an oral or subcutaneous dose of approximately 2618 mg/kg. In the mice, convulsions and depression were observed. Hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis are not effective in removing clindamycin from the serum.
U.S. Poison Control: call or text 1-800-222-1222 (free, 24/7). In an emergency call 911. From the FDA label; not medical advice.
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. Clindamycin is metabolized predominantly by CYP3A4, and to a lesser extent by CYP3A5, to the major metabolite clindamycin sulfoxide and minor metabolite N-desmethylclindamycin. Therefore, inhibitors of CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 may increase plasma concentrations of clindamycin and inducers of these isoenzymes may reduce plasma concentrations of clindamycin. In the presence of strong CYP3A4 inhibitors, monitor for adverse reactions. In the presence of strong CYP3A4 inducers such as rifampicin, monitor for loss of effectiveness. In vitro studies indicate that clindamycin does not inhibit CYP1A2, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2E1 or CYP2D6 and only moderately inhibits CYP3A4.
How long does Clindamycin Phosphate stay in your body?
The elimination half-life of clindamycin phosphate is about 2.4 hours — the time it takes the body to clear about half of it. As a rule of thumb, a medicine is mostly gone after roughly 4 to 5 half-lives, though this varies from person to person with age and kidney or liver function. The label gives an average biological (elimination) half-life of 2.4 hours for oral clindamycin hydrochloride, the active form. It runs slightly longer in older adults (about 4.0 hours, range 3.4–5.1, vs 3.2 hours, range 2.1–4.2, in younger adults) and is increased slightly in people with markedly reduced kidney or liver function. Clindamycin palmitate (oral pediatric solution) and clindamycin phosphate (injection) are inactive prodrugs that are hydrolyzed in the body to this same active clindamycin. Half-life reflects how fast the drug leaves the blood, not how long a drug test can detect it.
This is general information, not medical advice. It doesn’t tell you when a drug test would read negative (tests detect substances for different, often longer, windows) or when it’s safe to take another dose — ask your pharmacist or prescriber. Source: CLEOCIN HYDROCHLORIDE (clindamycin hydrochloride) capsule — FDA label, DailyMed.
Drug class
How this class works, per Clindamycin - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf.
May treat (source: NIH RxClass)
- acne vulgaris
- actinomycetales infections
- bacteroides infections
- pneumocystis pneumonia
- staphylococcal infections
- streptococcal infections
See how Cleocin Phosphate ranks — best-rated lincosamide antibacterial for:
Dosage forms
Injectable
The forms currently marketed in the U.S., per the FDA National Drug Code Directory.
Ways to save
Ask for the generic
Same active ingredient, far cheaper. Is there a generic? →
Request a 90-day supply
Bulk fills usually lower the per-dose price vs monthly refills.
Use copay cards
Manufacturer copay cards & patient-assistance programs — especially for brand drugs.
Compare alternatives
A same-class option may cost less. See alternatives →
Frequently asked questions
- What does Cleocin Phosphate treat?
- Cleocin Phosphate (Clindamycin Phosphate) may be used to treat acne vulgaris, actinomycetales infections, bacteroides infections, pneumocystis pneumonia, staphylococcal infections, streptococcal infections, based on NIH RxClass drug-classification data (conditions a drug may treat — not a verbatim copy of the FDA-approved label). This is general reference, not medical advice.
- How does Cleocin Phosphate work?
- Cleocin Phosphate is 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.
- How is Cleocin Phosphate rated?
- pharmaranks gives Cleocin Phosphate a composite score of 2.6 out of 5, currently based on 1 weighted source (FDA regulatory recall-safety data weighted highest). See our methodology at /how-we-rate.
- How much does Cleocin Phosphate cost?
- Nobody can tell you what you will pay — your price is set by your insurer's formulary, your deductible and the pharmacy's markup, and none of those are published. What IS published is what the pharmacy paid to acquire it: about $0.18 per gm, per the CMS NADAC survey. Treat that as the floor, not the quote — ask the pharmacist for the cash price as well as your copay, because for cheap generics the cash price often wins.
- Is there a coupon or discount for Cleocin Phosphate?
- pharmaranks is an independent ratings site, not a pharmacy — we don't issue coupons or sell Cleocin Phosphate. To pay less, ask your prescriber or pharmacist whether a generic equivalent exists, check the manufacturer's copay/savings card and patient-assistance program, and compare a pharmacy discount card against your insurance copay. Prices vary by pharmacy, insurance, and location, so always confirm at the counter. This is general reference, not medical or financial advice.
- Who makes Cleocin Phosphate?
- Cleocin Phosphate is marketed by Pfizer. You can see Pfizer's full profile, rating, and other products on pharmaranks.
- Is Cleocin Phosphate a brand-name or generic drug?
- Cleocin Phosphate is a brand-name product with the active ingredient Clindamycin Phosphate. Lower-cost generic equivalents containing Clindamycin Phosphate are available — ask your pharmacist.
- Is Cleocin Phosphate available over the counter?
- No. Cleocin Phosphate is a prescription (Rx) medication in the US — you need a prescription from a licensed clinician (in person or via telehealth); it isn't sold over the counter. For some conditions there are OTC alternatives — ask your pharmacist.
- What forms does Cleocin Phosphate come in?
- Cleocin Phosphate is currently marketed as injectable, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory.
- What class of drug is Cleocin Phosphate?
- Cleocin Phosphate is classified as lincosamide antibacterial, per the FDA's Established Pharmacologic Class.
- Is Cleocin Phosphate FDA-registered?
- Cleocin Phosphate is on record with the U.S. FDA under application number NDA050441. You can verify this on its official FDA label.
- Has Cleocin Phosphate been recalled by the FDA?
- Yes. Cleocin Phosphate has 4 recorded FDA recall events in the openFDA enforcement database. A recall removes specific lots from the market — usually for manufacturing, contamination, potency, or labeling issues — and does not mean the drug is unsafe to take; your specific lot was almost certainly never affected. This recall history is factored into its safety score above. Always check the FDA recall database or your pharmacist for current alerts.
- Is Cleocin Phosphate safe?
- There's no single safe-or-not verdict. pharmaranks gives Cleocin Phosphate a recall-safety score of 52/100, based on its FDA recall history (4 recorded recall events) — not an efficacy or side-effect rating. Review its FDA-label side effects and warnings before use, and always consult a licensed professional.
- What are the side effects of Cleocin Phosphate?
- Cleocin Phosphate's side effects are taken directly from its FDA label. From the label: The following reactions have been reported with the use of clindamycin. Infections and Infestations: Clostridioides difficile colitis Gastrointestinal: Antibacterial drug-associated colitis (see WARNINGS ), pseudomembranous colitis, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting.… Both common and serious reactions are documented in full on this page. This is general reference from the FDA, not medical advice — always consult a professional.
Clinical content sourced from the FDA label via openFDA (U.S. FDA). View the FDA label on DailyMed → Provided for general reference only — not medical advice. Always consult a licensed professional and the current prescribing information.
What people report to the FDA about CLINDAMYCIN PHOSPHATE
The FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) collects reports from patients and clinicians. It holds 4,084 reports naming CLINDAMYCIN PHOSPHATE — the active ingredient in Cleocin Phosphate, and the FDA flagged 64% of those reports as serious. The effects reported most often — leaving out reports about overdose, misuse or the condition being treated, which dominate the raw list for common medicines:
- rash296 reports
- drug hypersensitivity233 reports
- diarrhoea212 reports
- nausea207 reports
- fatigue190 reports
- pruritus180 reports
- headache133 reports
- dyspnoea132 reports
Read these as a signal, not a rate. A report does not mean CLINDAMYCIN PHOSPHATE caused the effect — anyone can file one, and many describe people taking several medicines for several conditions. Crucially there is no denominator: FAERS does not record how many people took the drug, so these counts cannot be turned into “X% of patients” — a bigger number often just means a more widely used or more talked-about drug. Duplicates exist, and publicity drives reporting. For what is actually established, read the FDA label.
Source: openFDA drug/event (FAERS), retrieved September 25, 2026.
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