CLINDAMYCIN

82/100 · Critical

Manufactured by Bausch Health US, LLC

Clindamycin Adverse Events: High Seriousness and Diverse Reactions

56,070 FDA adverse event reports analyzed

Last updated: 2026-05-12

About CLINDAMYCIN

CLINDAMYCIN is a medication tracked in the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), manufactured by Bausch Health US, LLC. Based on analysis of 56,070 FDA adverse event reports, CLINDAMYCIN has a safety score of 82 out of 100. This score indicates a relatively favorable safety profile, with fewer or less severe adverse events compared to many other tracked medications. The most commonly reported adverse reactions for CLINDAMYCIN include DRUG INEFFECTIVE, DRUG HYPERSENSITIVITY, DIARRHOEA, RASH, NAUSEA. This page provides a comprehensive breakdown of reported side effects, safety signals, patient demographics, and AI-powered safety analysis for CLINDAMYCIN.

AI Safety Analysis

Clindamycin has a safety concern score of 82 out of 100, placing it in the high concern category based on analysis of FDA adverse event data. The FDA has received approximately 56,070 adverse event reports for this medication, which is primarily manufactured by Bausch Health Us, Llc.

The most commonly reported adverse events include Drug Ineffective, Drug Hypersensitivity, Diarrhoea. Of classified reports, 75.1% were designated as serious by the FDA, meaning they involved hospitalization, disability, or other significant medical outcomes. Clindamycin reports include a high percentage of serious adverse events, particularly kidney and respiratory issues.

The drug is associated with a wide range of reactions, indicating potential for diverse side effects. Reports show significant occurrences of gastrointestinal and skin reactions, suggesting these are common issues.

Patients taking Clindamycin should monitor for the commonly reported side effects and contact their healthcare provider if they experience any unusual symptoms. Clindamycin can interact with other drugs, leading to adverse effects. Warnings include potential for drug interactions, especially with other antibiotics and antifungals. This analysis is based on voluntary FDA adverse event reports and should not replace professional medical advice.

Safety Score: 82/100

Clindamycin received a safety concern score of 82/100 (high concern). This is based on a 75.1% serious event ratio across 27,443 classified reports. The score accounts for 56,070 total adverse event reports and 100 distinct reaction types. This high score reflects a significant proportion of serious adverse events in the reporting data.

Top Adverse Reactions

DRUG INEFFECTIVE2,358 reports
DRUG HYPERSENSITIVITY2,314 reports
DIARRHOEA1,877 reports
RASH1,621 reports
NAUSEA1,616 reports
PAIN1,503 reports
ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY1,310 reports
CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE1,298 reports
OFF LABEL USE1,286 reports
FATIGUE1,260 reports
DYSPNOEA1,179 reports
PYREXIA1,168 reports
RENAL FAILURE1,072 reports
VOMITING981 reports
HEADACHE954 reports
PRURITUS917 reports
ANXIETY849 reports
ARTHRALGIA838 reports
CONDITION AGGRAVATED822 reports
DIZZINESS727 reports
MALAISE694 reports
ASTHENIA663 reports
PNEUMONIA639 reports
COUGH635 reports
ERYTHEMA622 reports
URTICARIA617 reports
FALL586 reports
DEPRESSION581 reports
WEIGHT DECREASED576 reports
PRODUCT USE IN UNAPPROVED INDICATION551 reports
HYPERTENSION548 reports
ANAEMIA522 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN UPPER521 reports
HYPOTENSION520 reports
BACK PAIN518 reports
CELLULITIS518 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN506 reports
CHEST PAIN494 reports
DEATH488 reports
PAIN IN EXTREMITY483 reports
HYPERSENSITIVITY481 reports
DRUG INTERACTION471 reports
ABDOMINAL DISCOMFORT458 reports
INFECTION452 reports
SEPSIS449 reports
URINARY TRACT INFECTION444 reports
EMOTIONAL DISTRESS442 reports
END STAGE RENAL DISEASE426 reports
INSOMNIA407 reports
CLOSTRIDIUM DIFFICILE INFECTION403 reports
CONSTIPATION387 reports
SINUSITIS376 reports
GASTROOESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE374 reports
DECREASED APPETITE373 reports
RASH MACULO PAPULAR368 reports
DRUG REACTION WITH EOSINOPHILIA AND SYSTEMIC SYMPTOMS362 reports
HYPOAESTHESIA343 reports
GAIT DISTURBANCE333 reports
MUSCLE SPASMS332 reports
NASOPHARYNGITIS330 reports
DEHYDRATION325 reports
PERIPHERAL SWELLING317 reports
OEDEMA PERIPHERAL316 reports
DYSPEPSIA309 reports
ACUTE GENERALISED EXANTHEMATOUS PUSTULOSIS302 reports
MYALGIA298 reports
DYSPHAGIA295 reports
INJURY294 reports
ANHEDONIA287 reports
CHILLS287 reports
HIDRADENITIS285 reports
RENAL IMPAIRMENT284 reports
THROMBOCYTOPENIA284 reports
WEIGHT INCREASED284 reports
PARAESTHESIA283 reports
NEUTROPENIA281 reports
SEPTIC SHOCK278 reports
SWELLING278 reports
ANAPHYLACTIC REACTION274 reports
BLOOD PRESSURE INCREASED272 reports
PULMONARY EMBOLISM272 reports
RENAL INJURY270 reports
CARDIAC FAILURE CONGESTIVE268 reports
SWELLING FACE267 reports
OROPHARYNGEAL PAIN262 reports
CLOSTRIDIUM DIFFICILE COLITIS254 reports
FEELING ABNORMAL254 reports
RESPIRATORY FAILURE252 reports
PRODUCT DOSE OMISSION ISSUE249 reports
PSORIASIS248 reports
STAPHYLOCOCCAL INFECTION247 reports
TREATMENT FAILURE246 reports
CONFUSIONAL STATE242 reports
SOMNOLENCE242 reports
ALOPECIA240 reports
TACHYCARDIA240 reports
DISEASE PROGRESSION238 reports
DRUG RESISTANCE238 reports
NEPHROGENIC ANAEMIA233 reports
TUBULOINTERSTITIAL NEPHRITIS232 reports

Key Safety Signals

  • Acute and chronic kidney injury are among the most reported serious adverse events.
  • Respiratory issues such as dyspnoea and pneumonia are also frequently reported.
  • Skin reactions like rash and pruritus are common, indicating potential for allergic responses.

Patient Demographics

Adverse event reports by sex: Female: 15,625, Male: 9,704, Unknown: 61. The most frequently reported age groups are age 63 (404 reports), age 61 (400 reports), age 64 (377 reports). These demographics reflect reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Report Outcomes

Out of 27,443 classified reports for CLINDAMYCIN:

  • Serious: 20,617 reports (75.1%) — includes hospitalization, disability, life-threatening events, or death
  • Non-Serious: 6,826 reports (24.9%)
Serious 75.1%Non-Serious 24.9%

The FDA classifies an adverse event as “serious” if it results in death, hospitalization, disability, congenital anomaly, or requires intervention to prevent permanent damage.

Demographics Breakdown

Reports by Sex

Female15,625 (61.5%)
Male9,704 (38.2%)
Unknown61 (0.2%)

Reports by Age

Age 63404 reports
Age 61400 reports
Age 64377 reports
Age 62371 reports
Age 59370 reports
Age 66368 reports
Age 55366 reports
Age 57366 reports
Age 58360 reports
Age 65357 reports
Age 69353 reports
Age 47349 reports
Age 56346 reports
Age 60346 reports
Age 54344 reports
Age 68340 reports
Age 53338 reports
Age 51335 reports
Age 67327 reports
Age 52313 reports

Demographics reflect voluntary FDA adverse event reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Drug Interactions & Warnings

Clindamycin can interact with other drugs, leading to adverse effects. Warnings include potential for drug interactions, especially with other antibiotics and antifungals.

What You Should Know

If you are taking Clindamycin, here are important things to know. The most commonly reported side effects include drug ineffective, drug hypersensitivity, diarrhoea, rash, nausea. While many of these may be mild and temporary, you should contact your healthcare provider if any symptoms are severe or persistent. Patients should report any new or worsening symptoms to their healthcare provider immediately. Follow prescribed dosing instructions carefully to minimize the risk of adverse reactions. If you experience a serious adverse reaction, seek emergency medical attention immediately or call 911. You can report side effects to the FDA's MedWatch program at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Regulatory Context

The FDA closely monitors clindamycin due to its high rate of serious adverse events. Healthcare providers should be vigilant and consider alternative treatments for patients with a history of severe reactions.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many adverse event reports has the FDA received for Clindamycin?

The FDA has received approximately 56,070 adverse event reports associated with Clindamycin. These reports come from healthcare professionals, consumers, and manufacturers through the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Note that the number of reports does not directly indicate the frequency of side effects, as adverse events are voluntarily reported and may be underrepresented.

What are the most commonly reported side effects of Clindamycin?

The most frequently reported adverse events for Clindamycin include Drug Ineffective, Drug Hypersensitivity, Diarrhoea, Rash, Nausea. By volume, the top reported reactions are: Drug Ineffective (2,358 reports), Drug Hypersensitivity (2,314 reports), Diarrhoea (1,877 reports). These figures reflect FDA adverse event reports and may not represent the true incidence rate of these side effects in all patients taking Clindamycin.

What percentage of Clindamycin adverse event reports are serious?

Out of 27,443 classified reports, 20,617 (75.1%) were classified as serious and 6,826 as non-serious. The FDA classifies an event as "serious" if it results in death, hospitalization, disability, or other medically significant outcomes. A higher serious-event ratio warrants closer attention but does not necessarily mean the drug is unsafe.

Who reports adverse events for Clindamycin (by sex)?

Adverse event reports for Clindamycin break down by patient sex as follows: Female: 15,625, Male: 9,704, Unknown: 61. This distribution reflects reporting patterns rather than actual risk differences between groups. Reporting rates can be influenced by prescribing patterns, disease demographics, and reporting behavior.

What age groups report the most side effects for Clindamycin?

The most frequently reported age groups for Clindamycin adverse events are: age 63: 404 reports, age 61: 400 reports, age 64: 377 reports, age 62: 371 reports, age 59: 370 reports. Age-related reporting patterns can reflect both the demographics of the patient population and potential age-related susceptibility to certain side effects.

Who manufactures Clindamycin?

The primary manufacturer associated with Clindamycin adverse event reports is Bausch Health Us, Llc. Multiple manufacturers may produce generic versions of this drug. The manufacturer listed reflects the most frequently reported brand in FDA adverse event data.

What other side effects have been reported for Clindamycin?

Beyond the most common reactions, other reported adverse events for Clindamycin include: Pain, Acute Kidney Injury, Chronic Kidney Disease, Off Label Use, Fatigue. Less common side effects can still be clinically significant. Patients should report any unusual symptoms to their healthcare provider.

How do I report a side effect from Clindamycin?

You can report adverse events from Clindamycin to the FDA through their MedWatch program at www.fda.gov/medwatch, by calling 1-800-FDA-1088, or by completing Form FDA 3500. Healthcare professionals, consumers, and manufacturers can all submit reports. Reporting helps the FDA monitor drug safety after approval.

What is Clindamycin's safety score and what does it mean?

Clindamycin has a safety concern score of 82 out of 100 (high concern). This score is calculated from the ratio of serious to non-serious adverse events, the diversity of reported reactions, and the overall volume of reports relative to usage. Clindamycin reports include a high percentage of serious adverse events, particularly kidney and respiratory issues.

What are the key safety signals for Clindamycin?

Key safety signals identified in Clindamycin's adverse event data include: Acute and chronic kidney injury are among the most reported serious adverse events.. Respiratory issues such as dyspnoea and pneumonia are also frequently reported.. Skin reactions like rash and pruritus are common, indicating potential for allergic responses.. These signals are derived from patterns in FDA reports and should be discussed with a healthcare provider for personalized assessment.

Does Clindamycin interact with other drugs?

Clindamycin can interact with other drugs, leading to adverse effects. Warnings include potential for drug interactions, especially with other antibiotics and antifungals. Always inform your healthcare provider about all medications, supplements, and over-the-counter drugs you are taking before starting Clindamycin.

What should patients know before taking Clindamycin?

Patients should report any new or worsening symptoms to their healthcare provider immediately. Follow prescribed dosing instructions carefully to minimize the risk of adverse reactions.

Are Clindamycin side effects well-documented?

Clindamycin has 56,070 adverse event reports on file with the FDA. The drug is associated with a wide range of reactions, indicating potential for diverse side effects. The volume of reports for Clindamycin reflects both the drug's usage level and the vigilance of the reporting community.

What is the FDA's position on Clindamycin?

The FDA closely monitors clindamycin due to its high rate of serious adverse events. Healthcare providers should be vigilant and consider alternative treatments for patients with a history of severe reactions. For the most current regulatory information, check the FDA's drug labeling database or consult your pharmacist.

Related Drugs

Drugs related to CLINDAMYCIN based on therapeutic use, drug class, or shared indications:

AmoxicillinCiprofloxacinMetronidazoleVancomycinAzithromycin
Important Disclaimer: This content is generated by AI analysis of FDA adverse event reports and is provided for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Adverse event reports submitted to the FDA do not prove that a medication caused the reported side effect. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication. If you experience a serious side effect, contact your doctor or call 911 immediately.