Clindamycin
Clindamycin hydrochloride, Clindamycin palmitate hydrochloride, Clindamycin phosphate
Also known as: Antirobe · Cleocin · Clintabs · Clinsol · Clinacin · Clindacyl · Clindaseptin · Mycinor · Zodon · chlorodeoxylincomycin hydrochloride · (7S)-chloro-7-deoxy-lincomycin hydrochloride · clindamycini hydrochloridum · U-28508 · U-25179E · Clindamycine · Clindamicina
Reviewed by the VetSheet Veterinary TeamUpdated Apr 5, 2026Evidence-based veterinary reference
Doses are a clinical reference for licensed veterinary professionals. Always confirm against the current label and the individual patient.
Dosing by species
🌎 NA — North America🌍 EU — Europe
Dogs
| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infected wounds, abscesses and dental infections | 5.5-33 mg/kg | PO | q12h | Up to 28 days | 🌎 NA |
| Osteomyelitis | 11-33 mg/kg | PO | q12h | Up to 28 days | 🌎 NA |
| Staphylococcal pyoderma | 11 mg/kg | PO | once daily | 7-28 days | 🌎 NA |
| Wounds, abscesses, dental infections, stomatitis | 5-11 mg/kg | PO | q12h | 7-28 days | 🌎 NA |
| Osteomyelitis | 11 mg/kg | PO | q12h | 28 days | 🌎 NA |
| Systemic bacteremia | 3-10 mg/kg | IV, IM, SC, PO | q8h | as long as needed | 🌎 NA |
| Susceptible bacterial infections | 5-11 mg/kg | IM, SC, PO | q12h | — | 🌎 NA |
| Sepsis | 11 mg/kg | IV | q12h | — | 🌎 NA |
| Recurrent superficial pyodermas | 11 mg/kg | PO | once daily to twice a day | — | 🌎 NA |
| Actinomycosis | 5 mg/kg | SC | q12h | — | 🌎 NA |
| Susceptible hepatobiliary infections | 10-16 mg/kg SC once daily or 5-10 mg/kg PO q12h | SC, PO | once daily or q12h | — | 🌎 NA |
| Anaerobic infections | 5-10 mg/kg | PO, IV | q12h | — | 🌎 NA |
| Intra-abdominal sepsis | 5-11 mg/kg | IV, SC, PO | q8-12h | 5-7 days | 🌎 NA |
| Pancreatitis | 5-11 mg/kg | IV, SC, PO | q8-12h | 3-5 days | 🌎 NA |
| Susceptible respiratory infections | 10 mg/kg | PO, SC | q12h | — | 🌎 NA |
| Surgical prophylaxis for gram-positive aerobes and anaerobic coverage | 5-11 mg/kg | PO | once | 16-60 minutes preoperatively | 🌎 NA |
| Toxoplasmosis | 12.5 mg/kg | PO, IM | q12h | 28 days | 🌎 NA |
| Neospora | 10 mg/kg | PO | q12h | 4 weeks | 🌎 NA |
| Hepatozoon canis | 10 mg/kg | PO | q8h | 2-4 weeks | 🌎 NA |
| Babesia spp. | 12.5 mg/kg | PO | q12h | 2 weeks | 🌎 NA |
| Babesia infections (if specific antibabesial drugs are not available) | 25 mg/kg | PO | q12h | 7-21 days | 🌎 NA |
| Hepatozoon americanum infections | 10 mg/kg | PO | q8h | 14 days | 🌎 NA |
| Susceptible infections | 5.5 mg/kg | PO | q12h | — | 🌍 EU |
| Severe infections | 11 mg/kg | PO | q12h | — | 🌍 EU |
| Toxoplasmosis/neosporosis | 25 mg/kg | PO | daily in divided doses | — | 🌍 EU |
- Infected wounds, abscesses and dental infections: If no response after 3-4 days, discontinue.
- Osteomyelitis: If no response after 3-4 days, discontinue.
- Susceptible bacterial infections: Avoid or reduce dose in patients with severe liver failure
- Recurrent superficial pyodermas: Resistance can develop quickly
- Susceptible hepatobiliary infections: In patients with liver function impairment: 5 mg/kg PO q12h or SC q24h
- Intra-abdominal sepsis: Combined with gentamicin or a parenteral 3rd generation cephalosporin or enrofloxacin
- Neospora: Used concurrently with trimethoprim/sulfa (15 mg/kg PO q12h for 4 weeks)
- Hepatozoon canis: Use concurrently with pyrimethamine and trimethoprim/sulfa
- Hepatozoon americanum infections: Use concurrently with trimethoprim/sulfa and pyrimethamine, follow with decoquinate
- Susceptible infections: Alternatively, 11 mg/kg q24h
Cats
| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Susceptible bacterial infections | 5-10 mg/kg | PO | q12h | — | 🌎 NA |
| Infected wounds, abscesses and dental infections | 11-33 mg/kg | PO | once a day (q24h) | Maximum 14 days | 🌎 NA |
| Sepsis | 11 mg/kg | IV | q12h | — | 🌎 NA |
| Anaerobic infections | 5-10 mg/kg | PO, IV | q12h | — | 🌎 NA |
| Intra-abdominal sepsis | 5-11 mg/kg | IV, SC, PO | q8-12h | 5-7 days | 🌎 NA |
| Pancreatitis | 5-11 mg/kg | IV, SC, PO | q8-12h | 3-5 days | 🌎 NA |
| Susceptible respiratory infections | 10-15 mg/kg | PO, SC | q12h | — | 🌎 NA |
| Surgical prophylaxis for gram-positive aerobes and anaerobic coverage | 5-11 mg/kg | PO | once | 16-60 minutes preoperatively | 🌎 NA |
| Toxoplasmosis (to decrease zoonotic risk by reducing shedding period) | 25-50 mg/kg | PO | daily | — | 🌎 NA |
| Clinical toxoplasmosis | 10 mg/kg | PO | q12h | at least 28 days | 🌎 NA |
| Enteroepithelial toxoplasmosis | 8-16 mg/kg | PO, SC | q8h | 14-28 days | 🌎 NA |
| Systemic toxoplasmosis | 12.5-25 mg/kg | PO, SC | q12h | 14-28 days | 🌎 NA |
- Infected wounds, abscesses and dental infections: Do not treat acute infections for more than 3-4 days if no clinical response is seen.
- Intra-abdominal sepsis: Combined with gentamicin or a parenteral 3rd generation cephalosporin or enrofloxacin
- Clinical toxoplasmosis: Institute supportive care as needed.
Ferrets
| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Susceptible infections | 5-10 mg/kg | PO | twice daily | — | 🌎 NA |
Birds
| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Susceptible infections | 25 mg/kg | PO | q8h | — | 🌎 NA |
| Mild spore-forming enteric bacterial infections | 50 mg/kg | PO | q12h | 5-10 days | 🌎 NA |
Reptiles
| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Susceptible infections (anaerobes) | 5 mg/kg | PO | once daily | — | 🌎 NA |
| Respiratory infections (anaerobes, mycoplasma) | 5 mg/kg | PO | once daily | 14 days | 🌎 NA |
Doses are a clinical reference for licensed veterinary professionals. Always confirm against the current label and the individual patient.
Overview
Clindamycin is a broad-spectrum lincosamide antibiotic widely used in veterinary medicine. It is highly effective against many anaerobic bacteria, gram-positive aerobic cocci (such as Staphylococcus and Streptococcus), and certain protozoa including Toxoplasma, Neospora, and Babesia.
Clinical Pearls:
- Excellent Tissue Penetration: Clindamycin achieves high concentrations in bone, synovial fluid, abscesses, and white blood cells, making it a first-line choice for osteomyelitis, dental infections, and deep pyoderma.
- Toxoplasmosis: It is a primary treatment for clinical toxoplasmosis in cats and dogs.
- Toxicity in Herbivores: It is strictly contraindicated in hindgut fermenters (horses, rabbits, rodents) and ruminants due to the risk of fatal clostridial enterocolitis.
- Esophageal Stricture Risk: In cats, dry-pilling capsules or tablets can cause severe esophagitis and strictures. Always follow oral solid doses with a water bolus or food.
Mechanism of action
Clindamycin acts by binding to the 50S ribosomal subunit of susceptible bacteria.
- Mechanism: It inhibits peptide bond formation (transpeptidation) → blocks bacterial protein synthesis.
- Effect: It can be either bacteriostatic or bactericidal, depending on the drug concentration at the infection site and the specific susceptibility of the organism.
- Resistance: Complete cross-resistance occurs between clindamycin and lincomycin, and partial cross-resistance occurs with macrolides (like erythromycin) due to overlapping ribosomal binding sites.
Safety & warnings
Contraindications
- Horses
- Rabbits
- Hamsters
- Chinchillas
- Guinea pigs
- Ruminants
- Patients hypersensitive to lincosamides
- Neonatal small animals (generally avoided)
- Known hypersensitivity to lincosamides
Adverse effects
- Gastroenteritis (emesis, loose stools, bloody diarrhea)
- Esophageal injuries (esophagitis, strictures) in cats if dry-pilled
- Hypersalivation or lip smacking in cats after oral administration
- Pain at IM injection site
- Mild, clinically insignificant increases in liver enzymes (AST, ALT, ALP)
- Colitis
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Oesophagitis (especially in cats)
- Oesophageal stricture (especially in cats)
Precautions
Esophageal Injury Warning: Clindamycin has been implicated in causing esophagitis and esophageal strictures in small animals (especially cats). Avoid dry 'pilling'; always administer with food or a water bolus.
- Hepatic/Renal Impairment: Patients with very severe renal and/or hepatic disease should receive the drug with caution. Consider dosage reduction and monitor serum clindamycin levels during high-dose therapy.
- Species Restrictions: Fatal gastrointestinal effects can occur in horses, ruminants, and small herbivores (rabbits, rodents). Do not use in these species.
Drug interactions
Clindamycin may reduce cyclosporine levels
In vitro antagonism when used with clindamycin; concomitant use should probably be avoided
Clindamycin possesses intrinsic neuromuscular blocking activity and should be used cautiously with other neuromuscular blocking agents
May enhance the neuromuscular blocking effect
May antagonize the effects of neostigmine
May antagonize the effects of pyridostigmine
Antagonistic antimicrobial effects due to competing binding sites
Antagonistic antimicrobial effects due to competing binding sites
Antagonistic antimicrobial effects
May enhance the neuromuscular blocking effect
Complete cross-resistance and antagonistic effect
Monitoring
- Clinical efficacy
- Adverse effects; particularly severe diarrhea
- Periodic liver and kidney function tests and blood counts if therapy persists for more than 30 days
- Gastrointestinal signs (vomiting, diarrhoea)
- Hepatic and renal function in patients with pre-existing impairment
Pharmacokinetics
Half-life
Absorption
Rapidly absorbed from the gut. In dogs, oral bioavailability is about 73%. Food decreases the rate of absorption, but not the extent. Peak serum levels are attained about 45-60 minutes after oral dosing.
Distribution
Distributes well into most tissues. Therapeutic levels are achieved in bone, synovial fluid, bile, pleural fluid, peritoneal fluid, skin, heart muscle, abscesses, scar tissue, and white blood cells. CNS levels may reach 40% of serum levels if meninges are inflamed. About 93% bound to plasma proteins. Crosses the placenta and distributes into milk.
Metabolism
Partially metabolized in the liver to both active and inactive metabolites.
Elimination
Unchanged drug and metabolites are excreted in the urine, feces, and bile. Half-lives can be prolonged in patients with severe renal or hepatic dysfunction.
Overdose
There is little information available regarding overdoses of this drug.
- In dogs, oral doses of up to 300 mg/kg/day for up to one year did not result in toxicity.
- Dogs receiving 600 mg/kg/day developed anorexia, vomiting, and weight loss.
Available products
Formulations
- Oral capsules
- Oral tablets
- Oral solution/drops
- Granules for oral solution
- Injection (solution concentrate)
- Suppositories
- Topical and vaginal preparations
- 25 mg capsule/tablet
- 75 mg capsule/tablet
- 88 mg capsule/tablet
- 150 mg capsule/tablet
- 264 mg capsule/tablet
- 300 mg capsule/tablet
- 25 mg/ml oral solution
Veterinary
- Clindamycin (as HCl) Oral Capsules: 25 mg, 75 mg, 150 mg, 300 mg (Antirobe, generics)
- Clindamycin (as HCl) Oral Tablets: 25 mg, 75 mg, 150 mg (Clintabs)
- Clindamycin (as HCl) Oral Solution: 25 mg/mL (Antirobe Aquadrops, Clinsol, generics)
- Clinacin
- Clindacyl
- Clindaseptin
- Mycinor
- Zodon
Human-labeled
- Clindamycin (as HCl) Oral Capsules: 75 mg, 150 mg, 300 mg (Cleocin, generics)
- Clindamycin (as palmitate HCl) Granules for Oral Solution: 75 mg/5 mL (Cleocin Pediatric)
- Clindamycin (as Phosphate) Solution Concentrate for Injection: 150 mg/mL (Cleocin Phosphate)
- Clindamycin (as Phosphate) Injection: 300 mg, 600 mg, 900 mg in Galaxy containers (Cleocin Phosphate IV)
- Clindamycin Phosphate Suppositories: 100 mg (Cleocin)
Regulatory status
POM-V
POM-V
No regulatory data for: 🇺🇸 US · 🇭🇰 HK · 🇹🇼 TW · 🇯🇵 JP · 🇰🇷 KR · 🇦🇺 AU
Storage & stability
Capsules and palmitate powder for oral solution should be stored at room temperature (15-30°C). After reconstitution, the human palmitate oral solution should NOT be refrigerated (thickening may occur) and is stable for 2 weeks at room temp. Veterinary oral solution has an extended shelf life at room temp. Phosphate injection should be stored at room temp; if refrigerated, crystals may form but will resolubilize upon warming.
Client information
Important Administration Note: If using oral tablets or capsules, especially in cats, always follow the medication with at least 6 mL (a little more than a teaspoonful) of liquid or hide it in a small meatball of wet food. Giving a dry pill can cause the medication to stick in the esophagus, leading to severe ulcers and strictures.
- Watch for GI Upset: Report any incidence of severe, protracted, or bloody diarrhea to your veterinarian immediately.
- Complete the Course: Give the medication exactly as prescribed for the full duration, even if your pet seems to feel better, to prevent resistant infections.
VetSheet drug reference is intended for licensed veterinary professionals as a clinical decision-support aid, not a substitute for professional judgement or the manufacturer’s current label.