Clindamycin

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Chemical structure of Clindamycin
Clindamycin
Systematic (IUPAC) name
(2S,4R)-N-((1R)-2-chloro-
1-((3R,4R,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-
6-(methylthio)-tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)propyl)-
1-methyl-4-propylpyrrolidine-2-carboxamide
Identifiers
CAS number 18323-44-9
ATC code J01FF01
PubChem 29029
DrugBank APRD00566
Chemical data
Formula C18H33ClN2O5S 
Mol. mass 424.98
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability 90% (oral)
4–5% (topical)
Metabolism hepatic
Half life 1.5–5 hours
Excretion renal
Therapeutic considerations
Pregnancy cat.

A (Aust)
B (U.S.)

Legal status

Schedule 4 (Aust)
POM (UK)
Prescription only (U.S.)

Routes oral, topical, IV, intravaginal

Clindamycin (rINN) (IPA: [klɪndəˈmaɪsən]) is a lincosamide antibiotic used in the treatment of infections caused by susceptible microorganisms. Clindamycin is a semisynthetic antibiotic derived from lincomycin by 7(S)-chloro-substitution of the 7(R)-hydroxyl group of the lincomycin. Clindamycin is marketed under various trade names including Dalacin (Pfizer), Cleocin (Pfizer) and Evoclin (Connetics) - in a foam delivery system.

Contents

[edit] Indications

Clindamycin is used primarily to treat infections caused by susceptible anaerobic bacteria. Such infections might include respiratory infections, septicemia and peritonitis. In patients with hypersensitivity to penicillins, clindamycin may be used to treat susceptible aerobic infections as well. It is also used to treat bone-infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus. Topical application of clindamycin phosphate can be used to treat moderate to severe acne.

It is most effective against infections involving the following types of organisms:

Clindamycin is also used occasionally in cases of suspected toxic shock syndrome in combination with a bactericidal agent such as vancomycin. The rationale for this approach is a presumed synergy between the bactericidal antibiotic, which lyses the bacteria, and clindamycin, which inhibits toxin synthesis.

Recently, Clindamycin has been proven to decrease the risk of preterm births in women diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis during early pregnancy to about a third of the risk of untreated women. (Lamont, 2005)

[edit] Available forms

Clindamycin preparations for oral administration include capsules (containing clindamycin hydrochloride) and oral suspensions (containing clindamycin palmitate hydrochloride). It is also available in a foam delivery system (containing clindamycin phosphate).

[edit] Mechanism of action

Clindamycin has a bacteriostatic effect. Clindamycin interferes with bacterial protein synthesis, in a similar way as erythromycin and chloramphenicol, by binding to the 50S subunit of the bacterial ribosome. This causes antagonism if administered simultaneously and possible cross-resistance.

[edit] Pharmacokinetics

Approximately 90% of an oral dose of clindamycin is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and it is widely distributed throughout the body, excluding the central nervous system. Adequate therapeutic concentrations can be achieved in bone. There is also active uptake into leucocytes.

Clindamycin is extensively metabolised in the liver, with some of its metabolites being active, such as N-dimethyl clindamycin and clindamycin sulfoxide. The elimination half-life is 1.5–5 hours. Both clindamycin and its metabolites are excreted primarily in the urine (Klasco, 2006).

[edit] Adverse effects

Common adverse drug reactions (ADRs) (≥1% of patients) associated with clindamycin therapy include: diarrhea, pseudomembranous colitis, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain/cramps, rash, and/or itch. High intravenous doses may cause a metallic taste, and topical application may cause contact dermatitis (Rossi, 2006).

Pseudomembranous colitis is a potentially-lethal condition that may affect up to 2–10% of patients treated with clindamyin therapy,[citation needed] but also occurs with other antibiotics. Overgrowth of Clostridium difficile, which is inherently resistant to clindamycin, results in the production of a toxin that causes a range of adverse effects ranging from diarrhea to colitis and toxic megacolon (Rossi, 2006).

Rarely (<0.1% of patients), clindamycin therapy has been associated with anaphylaxis, blood dyscrasias, polyarthritis, jaundice, raised liver enzymes and/or hepatotoxicity (Rossi, 2006).

[edit] References

  • Klasco RK, editor. Drugdex system, volume 128. Greenwood Village (CO): Thomson Micromedex; 2006.
  • Lamont RF. Can antibiotics prevent preterm birth--the pro and con debate. BJOG; 2005. 112 Suppl. 67-73.
  • Rossi S, editor. Australian Medicines Handbook 2006. Adelaide: Australian Medicines Handbook; 2006.