Clindamycin (vaginal)

FDA label, Organon LLC, vaginal, effective 2026-02-19. Full label on DailyMed

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Quoted from the FDA label. Product labels differ by manufacturer and change over time; confirm against the label for the product you are using.

Dosing in kidney impairment

This label has no separate kidney-impairment dosing section. Check warnings and clinical pharmacology in the full label.

Drug interactions

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Label text (2 paragraphs)

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS

7.1 Neuromuscular Blocking Agents Systemic clindamycin has 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.

Contraindications

History of hypersensitivity to clindamycin or lincomycin. ( 4.1 )

4.1 Hypersensitivity XACIATO is contraindicated in individuals with a history of hypersensitivity to clindamycin or lincomycin. [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.2 )] .

Safety data

Reported adverse events (FAERS)

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Source: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System via openFDA

Liver injury (LiverTox)

B

Likelihood score B: Highly likely cause of clinically apparent liver injury.

Clindamycin is a broad spectrum antibiotic used orally, topically and parenterally for bacterial infections due to sensitive organisms. Clindamycin has been linked to rare instances of acute liver injury.

ABCDEA: well known cause; E: unlikely cause. [HD]: high doses only.

Source: LiverTox: Clindamycin (NIDDK, public domain)Chapter updated Dec 16, 2019

Pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy

8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Other clindamycin vaginal products have been used to treat pregnant women during the second and third trimester. XACIATO has not been studied in pregnant women. However, based on the low systemic absorption of XACIATO following the intravaginal route of administration in nonpregnant women, maternal use is not likely to result in significant fetal exposure to the drug [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . Available data from published observational studies, based on first trimester exposure to oral and IV clindamycin, did not identify consistent increases in the rate of major birth defects.

Available data from published observational studies and randomized controlled trials, based on second and third trimester exposure to oral and IV clindamycin, did not identify an increased risk of miscarriage or other adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. Most of the reported exposures to clindamycin occurred during the second and third trimesters of the pregnancy. In animal reproduction studies, no adverse developmental outcomes were observed when XACIATO was vaginally administered to pregnant rats and rabbits during organogenesis at doses approximately equivalent to the recommended human dose.

No evidence of any adverse developmental outcomes was observed when oral or subcutaneous doses of clindamycin were administered to pregnant rats and mice during organogenesis at doses 9 to 58 times the recommended human dose based on body surface area comparison (see Data) . The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively.

Data Animal Data Reproduction studies performed during organogenesis in pregnant rats (gestational days 6-17) and rabbits (gestational days 7-19) administered vaginal XACIATO at 0.1 g and 1 g/day (2 mg and 20 mg clindamycin phosphate/day) showed no evidence of developmental toxicity. These doses are approximately equivalent to the applied recommended clinical dose based on g/cm 2 vaginal surface area and body surface area (BSA) comparisons.

Reproduction studies performed during organogenesis (gestational days 6-15) in pregnant rats and mice that were administered oral doses of clindamycin up to 600 mg/kg/day (58 and 29 times, respectively, the recommended human dose based on a body surface area comparison) or…

Breastfeeding (LactMed)

Clindamycin has the potential to cause adverse effects on the breastfed infant's gastrointestinal flora. If a nursing mother requires oral or intravenous clindamycin, it is not a reason to discontinue breastfeeding, but an alternate drug may be preferred. Monitor the infant for possible effects on the gastrointestinal flora, such as diarrhea, candidiasis (thrush, diaper rash) or rarely, blood in the stool indicating possible antibiotic-associated colitis. Vaginal application is unlikely to cause infant side effects, although about 30% of a vaginal dose is absorbed. Infant side effects are unlikely with topical administration for acne; however, topical application to the breast may increase the risk of diarrhea if the infant ingests it.

Source: LactMed: Clindamycin (NICHD, public domain)Revised Feb 15, 2025

Supply and cost

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