From the Guidelines
Yes, clindamycin can potentially cause a yeast infection. Clindamycin is an antibiotic that kills bacteria, including beneficial bacteria that normally keep yeast populations in check, particularly in the vagina and mouth 1. When these good bacteria are reduced, organisms like Candida (yeast) can overgrow, leading to infections. This side effect is relatively common with many antibiotics, not just clindamycin.
Key Points to Consider
- Clindamycin disrupts the normal colonic microbiome, which can lead to an overgrowth of yeast 1
- The main risk factors for developing a yeast infection while taking clindamycin include the disruption of normal gut flora 1
- If you develop symptoms such as unusual vaginal discharge, itching, redness, or white patches in your mouth while taking clindamycin, contact your healthcare provider ### Prevention and Treatment
- To help prevent yeast infections while taking clindamycin, consider taking probiotics (separate from your antibiotic doses by at least 2 hours), wear cotton underwear, avoid douching, and maintain good hygiene
- Your healthcare provider may prescribe an antifungal medication like fluconazole (Diflucan) or recommend over-the-counter treatments such as miconazole (Monistat) for vaginal yeast infections 1
From the FDA Drug Label
The use of clindamycin hydrochloride occasionally results in overgrowth of nonsusceptible organisms—particularly yeasts. Should superinfections occur, appropriate measures should be taken as indicated by the clinical situation.
Yes, you can get a yeast infection from clindamycin, as the drug label states that its use can result in the overgrowth of nonsusceptible organisms, particularly yeasts, leading to superinfections 2.
From the Research
Yeast Infection and Clindamycin
- There is no direct evidence in the provided studies that links clindamycin to the development of yeast infections 3, 4, 5, 6.
- However, it is known that broad-spectrum antibiotics, including clindamycin, can disrupt the normal vaginal flora, potentially leading to an overgrowth of Candida species and increasing the risk of yeast infections 7.
- Clindamycin is an antibiotic used to treat various bacterial infections, and its use can lead to the development of pseudomembranous colitis, a condition caused by the overgrowth of Clostridium difficile 7.
- The provided studies focus on the treatment and epidemiology of vulvovaginal candidiasis, but do not specifically address the relationship between clindamycin and yeast infections 3, 4, 5, 6.
- It is essential to note that yeast infections are not typically considered a side effect of clindamycin, but rather a potential consequence of disrupting the normal vaginal flora 7.