From the FDA Drug Label
Adults: Serious infections – 150 to 300 mg every 6 hours. More severe infections – 300 to 450 mg every 6 hours Pediatric Patients (for children who are able to swallow capsules): Serious infections – 8 to 16 mg/kg/day (4 to 8 mg/lb/day) divided into three or four equal doses. More severe infections – 16 to 20 mg/kg/day (8 to 10 mg/lb/day) divided into three or four equal doses.
The recommended dosing for clindamycin in the treatment of dental infections is:
- Adults: 150 to 300 mg every 6 hours for serious infections and 300 to 450 mg every 6 hours for more severe infections.
- Pediatric Patients: 8 to 16 mg/kg/day divided into three or four equal doses for serious infections and 16 to 20 mg/kg/day divided into three or four equal doses for more severe infections 1.
From the Research
For dental infections, clindamycin is typically prescribed at a dose of 300 mg taken orally every 6 hours (four times daily) for adults, with a total daily dose of 1200 mg, as this dose has been shown to have a lower incidence of gastrointestinal side effects compared to higher doses 2. The usual treatment duration is 7-10 days, depending on the severity of the infection. For children, the recommended dosage is 8-25 mg/kg/day divided into three or four equal doses. Clindamycin is particularly useful for patients with penicillin allergies and is effective against many anaerobic bacteria commonly found in dental infections, as demonstrated by its efficacy in treating odontogenic infections 3, 4. It achieves good penetration into bone tissue, making it suitable for treating dental abscesses and other oral infections. When taking clindamycin, patients should complete the full course of antibiotics even if symptoms improve before completion. The medication should be taken with a full glass of water, and can be taken with food if stomach upset occurs. Common side effects include diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal pain, with the 300 mg dose having a lower frequency and severity of these side effects compared to the 600 mg dose 2. Patients should be advised to contact their healthcare provider if they develop severe diarrhea, as clindamycin can occasionally cause Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhea, a serious intestinal condition. The choice of clindamycin over other antibiotics, such as amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, may depend on the specific circumstances of the infection and patient factors, including allergy history and severity of infection 5. Overall, clindamycin is a valuable option for the treatment of dental infections, especially in cases where penicillin cannot be used, and its efficacy and safety profile support its use in clinical practice 6.