1 May 2026Injectable drugsSource update: September 2023
Clindamycin injectable
Injectable clindamycin guidance for severe anaerobic, streptococcal, and staphylococcal infections, plus necrotizing infections and anthrax.
Prescription under medical supervision
This guide page is for structured reference only and does not replace a clinician, pharmacist, or emergency review. Dose choice, route choice, interactions, and safety decisions still need professional judgment.
Therapeutic action
Lincosamide antibacterial.
Indications
- Second-line treatment of severe infections due to anaerobic bacteria, staphylococci, and or streptococci, alone or in combination depending on indication.
- Necrotizing skin and soft tissues infections and severe cutaneous anthrax, in combination with other antibacterials.
Forms and strengths, route of administration
- 300 mg in 2 ml ampoule, 150 mg/ml, for IV infusion in 0.9% sodium chloride or 5% glucose, administered over 30 minutes.
- Never use by direct undiluted IV.
Dose
Dilute each dose in 5 ml/kg of 0.9% sodium chloride or 5% glucose in children less than 20 kg and in a bag of 100 ml in children 20 kg and over and in adults.
Severe infections due to anaerobic bacteria, staphylococci and or streptococci
- Neonate 0 to 7 days under 2 kg: 5 mg/kg every 12 hours.
- Neonate 0 to 7 days 2 kg and over: 5 mg/kg every 8 hours.
- Neonate 8 days to under 1 month under 2 kg: 5 mg/kg every 8 hours.
- Neonate 8 days to under 1 month 2 kg and over: 10 mg/kg every 8 hours.
- Child 1 month and over: 10 mg/kg, maximum 600 mg, every 8 hours.
- Adult: 600 to 900 mg every 8 hours.
Necrotizing infections, severe cutaneous anthrax
- Neonate: as above.
- Child 1 month and over: 10 to 13 mg/kg, maximum 900 mg, every 8 hours.
- Adult: 900 mg every 8 hours.
Duration
Change to oral route as soon as possible.
- Cellulitis, erysipelas: 7 to 10 days.
- Pneumonia: 10 to 14 days.
- Severe cutaneous anthrax: 14 days.
- Other infections: according to clinical evolution.
Contra-indications, adverse effects, precautions
- Do not administer to patients with allergy to lincosamides or history of pseudomembranous colitis.
- Reduce dosage in patients with hepatic impairment.
- May cause pseudomembranous colitis, rash, jaundice, and severe allergic reactions. In these cases, stop treatment.
- In the event of pseudomembranous colitis, treat for Clostridium difficile infection.
- Pregnancy: no contra-indication.
- Breast-feeding: use only when there is no therapeutic alternative and monitor the child's stools.
- Do not mix with other drugs in the same infusion.
- Some formulations contain benzyl alcohol and should not be used in neonates.
Source
MSF Essential drugs practical guidelines (January 2026)
This page reproduces the structured reference information for this batch while leaving out the Storage and Remarks sections.
Rate this guide
Be the first to rate this guide.