Adult

Clindamycin

Warning

General Information

Lincosamide 

Formulary antimicrobial: Use in accordance with Trust guidelines.

AWaRe antibiotic classification: 'Watch'. Use as per guidelines. All other indications to be discussed with Micro/ID.

For all information regarding interactions, contraception, pregnancy and breastfeeding and additional information, see BNF and Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC).

Dosing

 

Oral dose

Intravenous dose

Standard dose

450mg TDS

450mg TDS

Higher dose

600mg TDS-QDS

900mg TDS-QDS


See also:

ante-natal and post-partum infections (including severe sepsis/septic shock) guidelines

Treatment of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) guideline

malaria guidelines

Obesity

Dose at the upper end of recommended ranges.

For patients with severe and/or deep-seated infection, discuss with Micro/ID.

Renal and hepatic impairment

 Renal impairment

  • No dose adjustment required in renal impairment.
  • HDF/High Flux: Unknown dialysability.
  • HD/PD: Not dialysed.

Hepatic impairment

  • No dose adjustment required in hepatic impairment.

References

  1. Sandoz Limited. Clindamycin 150mg capsules summary of product characteristics. Electronic medicines compendium. Last revision of the text 4/11/24. Accessed via www.medicines.org.uk Accessed 23/3/26.
  2. ADVANZ Pharma. Clindamycin 150mg/ml Solution for Injection or Infusion summary of product characteristics. Electronic medicines compendium. Last revision of the text 20/9/23. Accessed via www.medicines.org.uk Accessed 23/3/26.
  3. British National Formulary. Clindamycin. BNF online accessed via www.medicinescomplete.com  Accessed 23/3/26.
  4. The Renal Drug Database. Clindamycin Last updated: 28/10/24. Accessed via: https://renaldrugdatabase.com Accessed 23/3/26
  5. Sanford guide [online]. Clindamycin Last updated 13/3/26. Accessed via https://webedition.sanfordguide.com Accessed 23/3/26.
  6. United Kingdom Clinical Pharmacy Association. Drug Dosing in Extremes of Body Weight in Critically Ill Patients [Internet]. 2013; version 1.0 Accessed via https://www.scottishintensivecare.org.uk/uploads/2014-07-24-19-55-33-Drugdosingatextremesofbod-45662.pdf Accessed 23/3/26.
  7. Meng L, Mui E, Holubar MK and Deresinski SC. Comprehensive Guidance for Antibiotic Dosing in Obese Adults. Pharmacotherapy [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2026 Feb 09]; 37:1415-1431. Available from: https://accpjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/phar.2023 Accessed 23/3/26.

Editorial Information

Last reviewed: 24 Mar 2026

Next review date: 22 Mar 2029

Author(s): AMST.