From the Guidelines
Yes, clindamycin can be used to treat bacterial vaginosis (BV), with the recommended regimen being clindamycin cream 2% applied intravaginally at bedtime for 7 days, or clindamycin 300 mg taken orally twice daily for 7 days. The treatment guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as outlined in the 2002 study 1, provide evidence for the efficacy of clindamycin in treating BV.
Key Points to Consider
- The clindamycin cream should be applied using the provided applicator, inserting one full applicator (approximately 5 grams) into the vagina each night.
- When taking oral clindamycin, it's best to take it with a full glass of water to prevent throat irritation.
- During treatment, avoid alcohol as it may cause unpleasant side effects when combined with clindamycin.
- Sexual partners typically don't need treatment, but you should abstain from sex or use condoms during the treatment period.
- Clindamycin works by stopping bacterial growth by inhibiting protein synthesis in the bacteria that cause BV, particularly anaerobic bacteria like Gardnerella vaginalis.
- Common side effects may include vaginal irritation with the cream or nausea and diarrhea with oral treatment.
Important Considerations
- If diarrhea becomes severe, contact your healthcare provider immediately as this could indicate a serious intestinal condition.
- The 1998 guidelines 1 also support the use of clindamycin for BV treatment, although they note that metronidazole 2-g single-dose therapy is an alternative regimen with lower efficacy.
- It's essential to follow the recommended treatment regimen and consult a healthcare provider if symptoms persist or worsen during treatment.
From the FDA Drug Label
The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
Treatment of Bacterial Vaginosis with Clindamycin
- Clindamycin vaginal cream has been shown to be effective in treating bacterial vaginosis, with cure rates comparable to those of oral metronidazole 2, 3, 4, 5.
- Studies have demonstrated that clindamycin vaginal cream can achieve cure rates of 72-97% 2, 3, 4, which is similar to the cure rates achieved with oral metronidazole.
- The efficacy of clindamycin vaginal cream has been compared to oral metronidazole in several studies, with no significant difference in cure rates found between the two treatments 2, 3, 4, 6.
- Clindamycin vaginal cream has been shown to be well-tolerated, with mild adverse reactions reported in some studies 2, 3, 4, 6.
- The incidence of posttreatment vulvovaginal candidiasis has been reported to be similar between clindamycin vaginal cream and oral metronidazole 5.
Comparison of Clindamycin to Other Treatments
- Clindamycin vaginal cream has been compared to metronidazole vaginal gel, with similar cure rates achieved by both treatments 5.
- The efficacy of clindamycin vaginal cream has also been compared to oral metronidazole, with no significant difference in cure rates found between the two treatments 2, 3, 4, 6.
- Clindamycin may be a safe and effective alternative to metronidazole for treating women with bacterial vaginosis 6.