Clindamycin hydrochloride
Consumer Medicine Information
What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some common questions about CALINDAMIN capsules. It does not contain all the available information.
It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you taking CALINDAMIN against the benefits this medicine is expected to have for you.
If you have any concerns about using this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Keep this leaflet with your medicine. You may need to read it again.
What CALINDAMIN capsules are used for
CALINDAMIN is an antibiotic. It is used to treat infections in different parts of the body caused by bacteria.
CALINDAMIN works by killing or stopping the growth of the bacteria causing your infection.
CALINDAMIN will not work against viral infections such as colds or flu.
CALINDAMIN is recommended for patients who are allergic to penicillin or patients for whom penicillin is not suitable.
Your doctor may have prescribed CALINDAMIN for another reason. Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why CALINDAMIN has been prescribed for you.
This medicine is available only with a doctor’s prescription.
CALINDAMIN is not addictive.
Before taking CALINDAMIN capsules
When you must not take CALINDAMIN capsules
Do not take CALINDAMIN capsules:
- if you have an allergy to:
- clindamycin or lincomycin
- lactose or any of the other ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet (see ‘Product Description’)
Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include shortness of breath, wheezing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body, skin rash, itching or hives on the skin and difficulty in breathing.
- if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering
- after the expiry date (EXP) printed on the label.
If you take it after the expiry date, it may have no effect at all, or worse, an entirely unexpected effect.
If you are not sure whether you should start taking CALINDAMIN capsules, talk to your doctor.
Before you start to take CALINDAMIN capsules
You must tell your doctor about all of the following before you start to take CALINDAMIN:
- if you have any allergies to any other medicines or any other substances such as foods, preservatives or dyes.
- if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant
Clindamycin crosses the placenta therefore CALINDAMIN capsules should only be used in pregnancy if clearly needed. Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of taking CALINDAMIN during pregnancy.
- if you are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed.
CALINDAMIN capsules are not recommended during breast-feeding.
- if you have or have ever had:
- severe diarrhoea associated with the use of antibiotics
- severe liver disease
- severe kidney disease
- any gastrointestinal (stomach or gut) problems
- if you have had any other health problems or medical conditions
If you have not told your doctor or pharmacist about any of the above, do so before you start taking CALINDAMIN capsules.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including medicines you buy without a prescription from a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
There may be interference between CALINDAMIN and some other medicines including:
- erythromycin, a medicine used to treat bacterial infections
- rifampicin, a medicine used to treat bacterial infections
- medicines used for muscle relaxation in anaesthesia
These medicines may be affected by CALINDAMIN or may affect how well CALINDAMIN works. You may need different amounts of your medicine or you may need to take different medicines. Your doctor or pharmacist may have more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while taking CALINDAMIN.
How to take CALINDAMIN capsules
Your doctor or pharmacist will tell you how to take your CALINDAMIN capsules.
Follow all directions given to you by your doctor and pharmacist carefully. Their directions may differ from the information contained in this leaflet. You may be given a different dosage depending on your condition and how you react to the medicine.
The directions your doctor or pharmacist gives you should be strictly followed.
If you do not understand the instructions in this leaflet, ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.
How much to take and how long to take it
Adults
One (1) capsule (150 mg) every six hours is the usual dose. The number of capsules may increase with more serious infections. Your doctor will tell you how long to take your capsules.
Children
CALINDAMIN capsules are not recommended in children for formulation reasons.
Continue taking CALINDAMIN until you finish the box or until your doctor recommends. Check with your doctor if you are not sure how long you should be taking it.
Do not stop taking CALINDAMIN capsules because you are feeling better. If you do not complete the full course prescribed by your doctor, all of the bacteria causing your infection may not be killed. These bacteria may continue to grow and multiply so that your infection may not clear completely or may return.
How to take it and when to take it
CALINDAMIN capsules should be taken by mouth, with a full glass of water. CALINDAMIN can be taken with or without food, it does not matter.
If you forget to take it
If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, then go back to taking your capsules as you would normally.
If you are not sure whether to skip the dose, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Do not double a dose to make up for the dose you have missed.
If you take too much (overdose)
Immediately telephone your doctor or Poisons Information Centre (telephone 13 11 26) for advice, or go to Accident and Emergency (Casualty) at your nearest hospital if you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much CALINDAMIN. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. You may need urgent medical attention.
Keep telephone numbers for these places/services handy. Have the CALINDAMIN box or this leaflet available to give details if needed.
While you are taking CALINDAMIN capsules
Things you must do
If the symptoms of your infection do not improve within a few days, or if they become worse, tell your doctor.
If you get severe diarrhoea, tell your doctor, pharmacist or nurse immediately. Do this even if it occurs several weeks after you have stopped taking CALINDAMIN.
Diarrhoea may mean that you have a serious condition affecting your bowel. You may need urgent medical care. Do not take any medicines for diarrhoea without first checking with your doctor.
If you get a sore, white mouth or tongue while taking or soon after stopping CALINDAMIN, tell your doctor. Also tell your doctor if you get vaginal itching or discharge. This may mean you have a fungal/yeast infection called thrush. Sometimes the use of CALINDAMIN allows fungi/yeast to grow and the above symptoms to occur. CALINDAMIN does not work against fungi/yeast.
If you become pregnant while taking CALINDAMIN, tell your doctor immediately.
If you are about to start taking any new medicines, tell your doctor and pharmacist that you are taking CALINDAMIN.
Tell all doctors, dentists and pharmacists who are treating you that you are taking CALINDAMIN.
If you feel that CALINDAMIN is not helping your condition, tell your doctor.
Tell your doctor if, for any reason, you have not used CALINDAMIN exactly as prescribed.
Things you must not do
Do not give CALINDAMIN to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you.
Do not use CALINDAMIN to treat any other medical complaints unless your doctor tells you to.
Side effects
Check with your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you have any problems while taking CALINDAMIN, even if you do not think the problems are connected with the medicine or are not listed in this leaflet.
Like other medicines, CALINDAMIN can cause some side effects. If they occur, most are likely to be minor and temporary. However, some may be serious and need medical attention.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following and they worry you:
- oral thrush – white, furry, sore tongue and mouth
- vaginal thrush – sore and itchy vagina and/or discharge
- stomach cramping
- stomach discomfort
- inflammation of the food pipe; discomfort or/and pain of the food pipe
- loss or distorted sense of taste
- nausea and/or vomiting
- heartburn
- diarrhoea
- loss of appetite
- skin rash; severe irritation of the skin
- jaundice (yellowing of the skin)
- joint pain and swelling
Tell your doctor immediately or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital, if you notice any of the following:
- sudden signs of allergy such as rash, itching or hives on the skin, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body, shortness of breath, wheezing or trouble breathing.
- Moderate or severe skin rash or blisters often with flu-like symptoms
- Enlarged lymph glands and/or fever
- Diarrhoea, usually with blood and mucus, stomach pain and fever
- Yellowing of the eyes or skin, also called jaundice
The above list includes very serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention or hospitalisation.
After finishing it
Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following side effects while you are taking CALINDAMIN capsules or several weeks after stopping treatment:
- severe stomach cramps;
- watery and severe diarrhoea which may also be bloody;
- fever, in combination with one or both of the above.
Clindamycin can cause some bacteria, which are normally present in the bowel and normally harmless to multiply and therefore cause the above symptoms. You may need urgent medical attention. However, this side effect is rare.
Do not take any medicine for diarrhoea without first checking with your doctor.
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients.
Some of these side effects (for example, abnormal blood test results and certain kidney and liver conditions) can only be found when your doctor does tests from time to time to check on your progress.
Tell your doctor if you notice anything else that is making you feel unwell.
Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects. You may not experience any of them.
After using CALINDAMIN capsules
Storage
Keep your CALINDAMIN capsules in their original container in a cool, dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C. If you take the capsules out of their original container, they may not keep as well.
Do not store your CALINDAMIN capsules, or any other medicine, in a bathroom or near a sink. Do not leave them in the car or on window sills. Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.
Keep your CALINDAMIN capsules where children cannot reach them. A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.
Disposal
If your doctor tells you to stop using CALINDAMIN or the capsules have passed their expiry date, ask your pharmacist what to do with any capsules left over.
Product description
What it looks like
CALINDAMIN capsules consist of a white cap and white body imprinted with ‘Clin 150’ in black printing ink.
Ingredients
CALINDAMIN capsules contain 150 mg of clindamycin (as hydrochloride).
Also contains the following inactive ingredients:
- lactose monohydrate
- magnesium stearate
- maize starch
- purified talc
- titanium dioxide
- gelatin
- black printing ink (shellac, iron oxide black)
May contain traces of sulfites. Contains sugars as lactose. Gluten free.
Sponsor
Arrotex Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd
15-17 Chapel Street
Cremorne VIC 3121
AUST R 214410
Date of preparation:
May 2023
Published by MIMS July 2023