From the Guidelines
For treating skin infections in adults, the recommended oral dosage of clindamycin is typically 300-450 mg taken every 6-8 hours (three to four times daily) 1. The total daily dose ranges from 900-1800 mg, depending on the severity of the infection.
Key Considerations
- Treatment duration is usually 7-10 days, but may be extended based on clinical response.
- The medication should be taken with a full glass of water, and can be taken with food if stomach upset occurs.
- Patients should complete the entire prescribed course, even if symptoms improve before finishing the medication, to prevent antibiotic resistance and ensure complete eradication of the infection.
Mechanism and Efficacy
Clindamycin works by inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis, making it effective against many gram-positive organisms and anaerobes commonly found in skin infections.
Potential Side Effects
Common side effects include diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal pain. If severe diarrhea develops, patients should contact their healthcare provider immediately as this could indicate Clostridioides difficile infection, a serious potential complication.
Evidence-Based Recommendation
The recommended dosage is based on the most recent guidelines from the Infectious Diseases Society of America, which suggest that clindamycin is an effective treatment option for skin and soft tissue infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and other gram-positive organisms 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY Human Pharmacology ... Doses of up to 2 grams of clindamycin per day for 14 days have been well tolerated by healthy volunteers, except that the incidence of gastrointestinal side effects is greater with the higher doses ... Serum concentrations exceed the MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) for most indicated organisms for at least six hours following administration of the usually recommended doses.
The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
Clindamycin Oral Adult Dosage for Skin Infections
The recommended oral dosage of Clindamycin for treating skin infections in adults is as follows:
- 300 mg every 6 hours, as prescribed for a patient in a study 2
- 300 mg orally thrice daily for seven days, as compared to cloxacillin in the treatment of skin and soft-tissue infections 3
- 150 mg/d, as used in a double-blind, controlled trial to prevent recurrent staphylococcal skin infections 4 Some studies also suggest that Clindamycin can be used at a dosage of 150 mg to 300 mg daily for prolonged periods, such as in the treatment of severe pustular and cystic acne 5
Key Considerations
When using Clindamycin to treat skin infections, consider the following:
- The dosage and duration of treatment may vary depending on the specific infection and patient response
- Clindamycin has been shown to be effective in treating skin and soft-tissue infections, including those caused by Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes 3, 4
- The drug has been generally well-tolerated, with few reported side effects, such as gastric upset, nausea, and headache 3, 5