Will Clindamycin (common brands: Evoclin, ClindaMax, Clindagel) cure my bacterial vaginosis? Yes, Clindamycin is available in cream form that can be easily inserted in the vagina. Along with Metronidazole and Tinidazole, Clindamycin is one of the prescription medicines used to treat and relieve the symptoms of bacterial vaginosis, which is an infection due to an overgrowth of harmful vaginal bacteria.
As a class of lincomycin antibiotic, clindamycin works by stopping or slowing down the bacteria’s growth. However, clindamycin may not be used to relieve vaginal irritation caused by sexually transmitted diseases or yeast infections like trichomoniasis and chlamydia.
How to Use Clindamycin for Bacterial Vaginosis
Clindamycin comes in suppository form to be placed inside the vagina. It also comes in cream form to be placed inside the vaginal canal. The suppositories are normally used once daily, at bedtime, for three successive days.
The vaginal cream for bacterial vaginosis is used once daily, at bedtime, for 3 or 7 successive days. Clindesse, a brand of vaginal cream, is used as a single dose, and administered any time during the day.
If you’re utilizing more than one vaginal clindamycin dose, use it at about the same time each day. Carefully follow the instructions on your prescription label. You may also ask your pharmacist or doctor any part of the instructions that you don’t understand. Exactly use the vaginal cream as directed, and do not use less or more of it or use it more frequently than your doctor prescribed.
Vaginal clindamycin may only be used in the vaginal area. Do not swallow the suppositories or cream, and do not use the cream on any other body part. Also, don’t get the cream into your eyes. Use plenty of cool water to rinse the cream out, if it accidentally gets into your eyes.
Use the clindamycin until the prescription is finished, even if your symptoms are relieved. If you skip doses or too soon stop the clindamycin, you may risk recurrence of infection, it may not be completely treated, and the bacteria may even become antibiotic-resistant.
Precautions
Like any other prescription drug, you may need to be mindful of certain precautions prior to taking clindamycin. Before you use clindamycin, tell your pharmacist and doctor if you have allergies to lincomycin (Lincocin), clindamycin, or other medications.
Also be sure the involved medical professionals of any non-prescription or prescription medications, supplements, vitamins, or herbal products you plan to take or are taking. If you are taking erythromycin, it’s important to tell your doctor that you’re taking it. The doctor may have to switch up your medications’ doses or carefully monitor your for any side effects.
Moreover, if you’re having surgery, make sure to inform the doctor or dentist that you’re using clindamycin. It’s also important that you must not engage in vaginal intercourse or use products like douches or tampons during the course of your treatment.
The clindamycin, however, can also cause side effects. Thus, inform your doctor if the symptoms do not disappear or are severe. Some side effects include: painful, burning urination; white, thick vaginal discharge; white patches in the mouth; constipation; vaginal pain; swelling, itching, burning of the vagina; headache; nausea; and back pain.
Will Clindamycin (common brands: Evoclin, ClindaMax, Clindagel) cure my bacterial vaginosis? Yes, clindamycin is one of the cures of bacterial vaginosis. The important thing to taking clindamycin is to be aware of possible side effects, and report them to your doctor if you experience them.