Uses

This medication is used to treat a certain type of vaginal infection (bacterial vaginosis). Clindamycin is an antibiotic that works by stopping the growth of bacteria. See the Precautions section for information about use during pregnancy.

How To Use

Read the Patient Information Leaflet for instructions on the proper use of this medication. Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

This product is for vaginal use only. Wash your hands before and after each application. Avoid contact of this cream with your eyes. If it gets into your eyes, wash them right away with plenty of water. Call your doctor if eye irritation lasts.

Fill the applicator with the cream according to the directions. Insert the applicator high into the vagina and press the plunger to release the medication. Use this product as directed by your doctor, usually once a day at bedtime. If you have extra applicators, discard each one after use. If you have only one applicator, clean it with warm soapy water and rinse well. Do not boil or use hot water to clean the applicator.

To prevent medication from leaking out of the vagina, lie down as soon as possible after use.

Antibiotics work best when the amount of medicine in your body is kept at a constant level. Use this drug at evenly spaced intervals.

Continue to use this medication for the full time prescribed, even if symptoms disappear after a few days. Stopping the medication too early may result in a return of the infection.

Tell your doctor if your condition lasts or gets worse.

Side Effects

Mild diarrhea or stomach upset may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Although unlikely, vaginal pain/burning/itching/discharge may occur or worsen. These symptoms may be due to a new vaginal infection (such as a yeast/fungal infection, trichomonas infection). This medication may rarely cause a fungal infection in another part of your body (such as oral thrush). Contact your doctor if you notice a change in vaginal discharge, white patches in your mouth, or other new symptoms.

Remember that this medication has been prescribed because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including:

• pain when you urinate
• lower back pain
• menstrual problems
• abnormal vaginal bleeding

A very small amount of this medication may be absorbed into your blood and may rarely cause a severe intestinal condition due to a bacteria called C. difficile. This condition may occur during treatment or weeks to months after treatment has stopped. Tell your doctor right away if you develop:

• diarrhea that doesn't stop
• abdominal or stomach pain/cramping
• blood/mucus in your stool

If you have these symptoms, do not use anti-diarrhea or opioid products because they may make symptoms worse.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including:

• rash
• itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
• severe dizziness
• trouble breathing

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US -

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Precautions

Before using clindamycin, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to lincomycin; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of:

• intestinal diseases (such as C. difficile-associated diarrhea, enteritis, ulcerative colitis)

Do not have vaginal intercourse or use tampons or douches while using this medication because these can cause the cream to not work as well.

The mineral oil in this product can weaken rubber products such as latex condoms and diaphragms and lead to their failure. Do not use these products during treatment with this medication and for 72 hours after treatment is over. Consult your doctor about other forms of barrier protection/birth control (such as polyurethane condoms) during this time.

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Oral antibiotics have been used to treat vaginal infections during pregnancy, especially high-risk pregnancies (such as pregnancies with a risk of early childbirth). Consult your doctor for more details and to discuss the risks and benefits.

It is unknown if the medication in this product passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Drug Interactions

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.

Overdose

If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Alberta residents can call PADIS (Poison and Drug Information Service) 24 hours a day at 1-800-332-1414. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. This medication may be harmful if swallowed.

Notes

Do not share this medication with others.

This medication has been prescribed for your current condition only. Do not use it later for another infection unless your doctor tells you to.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Use your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.

If you have questions about missing a dose or you don't have more medication, contact your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

Storage

Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Protect from freezing. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.