Clindamycin Drug Interactions

Several medications could potentially interfere with clindamycin. Drug interactions may occur if the antibiotic is taken with erythromycin or neuromuscular-blocking medications, for example. Taking clindamycin with some of these medications may decrease the medications' effectiveness or increase the risk of other problems. To avoid any complications, ask your healthcare provider about your particular situation.

Clindamycin Interactions: An Overview

Clindamycin can potentially interact with a number of other medications. Some of the medicines that may lead to drug interactions with clindamycin include but are not limited to:
 
  • Erythromycin (Ery-Tab®, E.E.S®)
  • Neuromuscular-blocking medications, such as:
 
    • Atracurium
    • Cisatracurium (Nimbex®)
    • Pancuronium
    • Rocuronium (Zemuron®)
    • Succinylcholine (Anectine®, Quelicin®)
    • Vecuronium (Norcuron®)
 

Clindamycin Drug Interactions Explained

The following sections explain in detail the potentially negative interactions that can occur when clindamycin is combined with any of the drugs listed above.
 
Erythromycin
Clindamycin can make erythromycin less effective. In general, these medications should not be combined, especially when treating serious infections.
 
Neuromuscular-Blocking Medications
Clindamycin has neuromuscular-blocking activity and might increase the risk of problems if combined with neuromuscular-blocking medications. Neuromuscular-blocking medications are usually used during general anesthesia or when a breathing tube is needed in an intensive care unit (ICU) setting.

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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;
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