Lincosamides
Spectrum
Clindamycin: Gram-positive cocci and many obligate anaerobes5 including
Bacteroidaceae, Fusobacterium necrophorum and Clostridium perfringens.6
Physicochemical properties
Moderate to high lipophilicity, weakly basic.3
Distribution3,4,7
Wide distribution in tissues including bone.
Do not cross blood-brain barrier (BBB).
Basic so become ion-trapped at sites of inflammation, the mammary gland and prostate.
Pharmacokinetics
Antimicrobial
Cmax
Protein
binding
Volume of distribution
Metabolism & elimination
Terminal
half life
Absorption
Tmax
Clindamycin
3.25µg/ml.30
93%.25
0.9 L/kg.25
Partial hepatic metabolism. Excreted in urine, faeces and bile.25
2-5 hours.25
Up to 90% bioavailability,
better fasted.6
1 hour.30
Parameters for oral administration in dogs unless otherwise stated.
Side effects/contra-indications85
Side effects and contra-indications may vary between presentations. Some of those seen more frequently are included here but veterinary surgeons should always refer to the Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) for full details before prescribing a product.
Side effects include vomiting and diarrhoea.25,85
It may be advisable to give water or food to cats after tablet administration to avoid the development of oesophagitis or oesophageal strictures.85
Disclaimer: Indications and doses may vary between products. The antimicrobials listed may constitute an off licence use of the product and as such should only be used according to the ‘Cascade’, further details of which are available on the RCVS, VMD and NOAH websites. Veterinary surgeons are advised to carefully check the Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) before prescribing a product and obtain informed owner consent where required.
