Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses.

Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent. The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes Dalacin C. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of Dalacin C with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking Dalacin C. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

• Diarrhea
• itching
• nausea
• stomach pain
• vomiting

Although most of these side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• abdominal tenderness
• Fever
• signs of bleeding (e.g., unusual nosebleeds, bruising, blood in urine, coughing blood, bleeding gums, cuts that don't stop bleeding)
• signs of infection (symptoms may include fever or chills, severe diarrhea, shortness of breath, prolonged dizziness, headache, stiff neck, weight loss, or listlessness)
• signs of liver problems (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, dark urine, pale stools)
• skin rash, redness, and itching
• sore throat
• vaginal infection or inflammation

Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

• severe watery or bloody diarrhea with or without abdominal cramps or pain
• signs of a Anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction) (e.g., Hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of the mouth, tongue, lips, or throat)
• symptoms of a severe skin rash (e.g., blistering, peeling skin, a rash covering a large area of the body, a rash that spreads quickly, or a rash combined with fever or discomfort)

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking Dalacin C.

Capsules

150 mg
Each hard gelatin capsule with maroon cap and lavender body, branded "Upjohn 225", contains clindamycin HCl hydrate equivalent to 150 mg of clindamycin base. Nonmedicinal ingredients: cornstarch, lactose, magnesium stearate, and talc. Gluten-free.

300 mg
Each hard gelatin capsule with light blue cap and body, branded "Upjohn 395", contains clindamycin HCl hydrate equivalent to 300 mg of clindamycin base. Nonmedicinal ingredients: cornstarch, lactose, magnesium stearate, and talc. Gluten-free.

Injection solution

Each mL of undiluted, sterile, solution for injection contains clindamycin phosphate, equivalent to 150 mg of clindamycin base. Nonmedicinal ingredients: benzyl alcohol, disodium edetate, water for injection, and sodium hydroxide and/or hydrochloric acid to maintain pH.

Do not take Dalacin C if you are allergic to clindamycin, lincomycin, or to any of the ingredients of the medication.

Do not give Dalacin C to infants under 1 month of age.

There may be an interaction between clindamycin and any of the following:

• BCG vaccine
• Carbamazepine
• Cholera vaccine
• Enzalutamide
• erythromycin
• kaolin
• lumacaftor
• Mitotane
• mycophenolate
• non-depolarizing muscle relaxants (e.g., atracurium, doxacurium, mivacurium, pancuronium)
• Phenobarbital
• Phenytoin
• Primaquine
• primidone
• rifabutin
• rifampin
• sodium picosulfate
• typhoid vaccine

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Dalacin C. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Dalacin C.

Antibiotic-related diarrhea: As with other antibiotics, clindamycin can cause a severe form of diarrhea associated with a condition known as pseudomembranous colitis. If you develop severe diarrhea while taking (or within a few weeks of taking) Dalacin C, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Bacterial resistance: Misuse of an antibiotic such as clindamycin may lead to the growth of resistant bacteria that will not be killed by the antibiotic. If this happens, the antibiotic may not work for you in the future. Although you may begin to feel better early in your course of treatment with clindamycin, you need to take the full course exactly as directed to finish ridding your body of the infection and to prevent resistant bacteria from taking hold. Do not take clindamycin or other antibiotics to treat a viral infection such as The Common Cold; antibiotics do not kill viruses, and using them to treat viral infections can lead to the growth of resistant bacteria.

Liver disease: Liver disease or reduced liver function may cause Dalacin C to build up in the body, causing side effects. If you have liver problems, discuss with your doctor how Dalacin C may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Dalacin C, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Gastrointestinal problems: Severe diarrhea associated with this antibiotic may be mistaken for symptoms of chronic gastrointestinal conditions. If you have colitis, inflammatory bowel disease, or Crohn's Disease, discuss with your doctor how Dalacin C may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Dalacin C, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Pregnancy: The safety of Dalacin C for use during pregnancy has not been established. Dalacin C should not be used unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking Dalacin C, contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: Dalacin C passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking clindamycin, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Seniors: Seniors may be more likely to experience antibiotic-related diarrhea associated with clindamycin.