Can Clindamycin Treat Chlamydia And Gonorrhea?

In this article, we will take a close look at the use of Clindamycin, a commonly used antibiotic, in the treatment of Chlamydia and Gonorrhea. We will explore its effectiveness, the duration of treatment, and potential side effects. We will also discuss the importance of medical supervision when taking Clindamycin.

Author - Jakub Gwiazdecki

Fifth year medical student at the Medical Faculty of Comenius University in Bratislava.

Jakub used MediSearch to find sources for this blog.

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Can clindamycin treat chlamydia and gonorrhea?

Yes, clindamycin can treat chlamydia and gonnorrhea [1, 2].

However, the effectiveness of this antibiotic in these infections is not as high as with other drugs. Therefore, clindamycin is not in the guidelines for treatment for both chlamydia and gonorrhea.

What is clindamycin?

Clindamycin is a highly effective antibiotic of the lincosamide class. For many decades, it has been used in the treatment of many infections [3].

Its spectrum of action covers most anaerobes, protozoans, and Gram-positive bacteria. It also works against the community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus [4].

Today, clindamycin is commonly prescribed for acne vulgaris [3]. It is also effective in other dermatological conditions like folliculitis, rosacea, staphylococcal infections, or hidradenitis suppurativa [3].

The advantages of clindamycin include great oral absorption and significant tissue penetration. This antibiotic also works deep in the bones [5].

Clindamycin also can inhibit the production of toxins in Staphylococcus aureus [6]. It is a useful property as it lowers the possible complications and course of the infection.

What bacteria are susceptible to clindamycin?

Clindamycin is an antibiotic that is effective against a variety of bacteria. Here are some examples of bacteria whose infections can be treated with clindamycin:

Staphylococcus aureus [7],
Diplococcus pneumoniae [7],
Streptococcus pyogenes [7],
Bacteroides,
Prevotella,
Porphyromonas [8],
Fusobacterium [8]

However, the resistance to clindamycin to Bacteroides increases. Clindamycin may not be the best choice for all infections by this bacterium [9].

What are the side effects of clindamycin?

Clindamycin as all drugs can cause side effects. The most common side effects include:

itching,
nausea,
vomiting,
diarrhea,
abdominal pain,
joint pain and swelling,
mild allergic reactions [10].

In some cases, clindamycin use can cause serious side effects. Among them are kidney and liver problems, blood cell number changes, severe skin reactions, and colitis [10].

In a topical application in dermatological conditions, clindamycin can cause redness, dryness, itching, burning, oily skin, and peeling of the skin [11].

In rare cases, clindamycin can cause hepatotoxicity. This is characterized by damage to the liver caused by the drug. Hepatotoxicity can be seen in increased values of aspartate and alanine transaminases [12].

Can I take clindamycin without a doctor's supervision?

Clindamycin is an antibiotic that should not be taken without a doctor's supervision. It is typically prescribed for specific, severe infections. Also, the potential side effects and interactions with other medications are of concern. Therefore, the doctor’s supervision is necessary [13, 14, 15].

The pharma company describes the safe dosage of clindamycin on the package. However, it can be that for a specific infection, different and unusual amounts of medication are needed. Especially in this situation, it is important to see a doctor regularly. There is always a risk of unwanted reactions.

One of the most important reasons for a doctor’s supervision of clindamycin therapy is the possible drug interactions. Without special knowledge, it can be difficult to see the potentially dangerous reaction between the drugs.