Infections can spread when your system under bacterial attack. You are advised to consult with a qualified caregiving professional upon witnessing typical signs of bacterial infections. Antibiotics are of different types and sub-genres. One of the sub-genres called lincosamide antibiotics is known to halt replication of bacterial strands, by working on how each strand gains access to proteins. A popular offering under this sub-genre of lincosamide antibiotics is clindamycin. But, is clindamycin considered a strong antibiotic? It is essential to know more on this front.
Antibiotics are widely used for the treatment of infections microbes like bacteria trigger. These drugs are quite effective in blocking bacteria from spreading further. But, they may have lesser capabilities to manage infections that are caused due to microbes other than bacteria. For example, antibiotics do not have much effects on viral, fungal or yeast infections. Since bacterial infections and viral attacks may occur with nearly same symptoms, it is a vital thing to take antibiotics based on the advice of a certified physician.
In this light, what is clindamycin?
Clindamycin belongs to a genre called lincosamide antibiotics. It is known to treat a range of infectious conditions i.e., those caused by bacteria. Doctors prescribe this med for strep throat, respiratory conditions such as pneumonia, infections in your joints and of the middle ear. It is combined with quinine for the treatment of malarial infections.
This med is also effective in treating skin-based infections, especially those due to the onset of strand called Staphylococcus aureus. It is available in multiple forms namely, a topical gel, cream, oral pill and also as an injection.
Is clindamycin considered a strong antibiotic?
Yes. Clindamycin is one of the strong antibiotic med. It is grouped as a broad-spectrum lincosamide antibiotic. It is known to be effective against gram-positive strands of bacteria as well as a few strands of gram-negative genre. As an extended application, this drug can also treat infections of anaerobic forms of bacteria. These forms can liv without access to oxygen / air.
Doctors widely administer it to treat acute infections in your respiratory tract, genital or pelvic conditions and some types of infections in the abdomen. As clindamycin is quite powerful, its remedial effects can reach far-off areas of tissues.
Additional pointers you must stay aware of while using clindamycin
This antibiotic med, like most of drugs of the genre, is known to cause a few side effects. These include abdominal problems such as nausea, vomiting and discharge of loose stools. Most of these adverse outcomes may not last for long. Once your system gets used to the active ingredients of clindamycin, these side effects may go off.
This drug is considered safe for women who are pregnant. Though it is compatible with nursing women, doctors tend to avoid administering it if you are breastfeeding an infant. Upon using topical forms of clindamycin, you tend to witness adverse side effects like drying of skin, burning sensation, peeling or scaling of skin.
Clindamycin may also trigger infections of Clostridium difficile. You tend to witness inflammation of colon as well as diarrhea. These side effects may occur more frequently with the use of clindamycin than with other forms of antibiotics. Intake of antidiarrheal meds may only aggravate the spells of diarrhea in such instances.
Upon observing any of these side effects of clindamycin, it is a safe thing to talk to your treating doctor with immediate effect. Those living is US may call 911. Users in Canada need to take needful assistance from a poison control cell working nearer to where you live. As an alternative, you can also reach out to Health Canada to avail needful assistance on an emergency mode.
Disclaimer
Information provided here are only of supplementary nature. Information shared here does not substitute a qualified doctor’s advice. This website is not suggesting intake of this drug as safe or appropriate. Hence it is advised to talk to your doctor before consuming this med or any other drug.
Education: Master’s in Nursing (MSN) from Johns Hopkins University. Experience: 7 years writing for online health portals and nursing journals, specializing in patient education and chronic illness management.