See the DrugPatentWatch profile for Clindamycin
What organisms does clindamycin usually cover?
Clindamycin is active against many Gram-positive bacteria and many anaerobes, including anaerobes involved in dental and skin/soft-tissue infections. Its usefulness against anaerobes is one reason it’s used for infections where anaerobic coverage matters.
Which Gram-positive bacteria are typically susceptible?
Clindamycin commonly has activity against Gram-positive cocci, including streptococci, and many isolates of staphylococci. It may be used when Gram-positive coverage is needed, including certain skin/soft-tissue infections.
How good is clindamycin for anaerobes?
Clindamycin has reliable activity against many anaerobic bacteria. It is often considered for anaerobic infections because anaerobes are generally within its usual spectrum.
What about Gram-negative bacteria?
Clindamycin’s Gram-negative activity is limited. It is not typically relied on as a Gram-negative agent, so infections with significant Gram-negative coverage needs are usually treated with other drugs in addition to (or instead of) clindamycin.
What’s the typical clinical use pattern based on its spectrum?
Because clindamycin covers many Gram-positive organisms and anaerobes better than many other options, it’s commonly selected for infections such as certain dental infections and skin/soft-tissue infections where anaerobic and Gram-positive coverage is expected.
Key resistance issues patients and clinicians should know about
Clindamycin resistance can occur, especially via resistance mechanisms in staphylococci and streptococci, and some anaerobes. It also has a well-known association with antibiotic-associated diarrhea and C. difficile infection risk, which is why clinicians weigh spectrum needs against safety.
How to confirm activity for a specific infection
The most accurate way to know whether clindamycin will work is susceptibility testing from the organism causing the infection, since local resistance patterns can vary.
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