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 Vaginal (Clindamycin-vaginal). If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of Dalacin Vaginal (Clindamycin-vaginal) with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking Dalacin Vaginal (Clindamycin-vaginal). 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.

• abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• dizziness
• headache
• heartburn
• itching of the vagina or genital area
• nausea or vomiting

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

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

• burning, itching, rash, redness, swelling
• pain when urinating
• thick, white vaginal discharge with no odour or with mild odour

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

• signs of an allergic reaction (e.g., rash, Hives, swelling of the lips or face, difficulty breathing)
• signs of inflammation of the digestive system (e.g., abdominal or stomach pain, bloody or watery severe diarrhea, severe nausea, vomiting)

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 Vaginal (Clindamycin-vaginal).

Each 1 g of semi-solid white cream contains 20 mg of clindamycin (as clindamycin phosphate). Each full applicator (one dose) contains 100 mg of clindamycin (as clindamycin phosphate) in 5 g of cream. Nonmedicinal ingredients: benzyl alcohol, cetostearyl alcohol, cetyl palmitate, mineral oil, polysorbate 60, propylene glycol, purified water, sorbitan monostearate, and stearic acid.

Do not use clindamycin vaginal cream if you:

• are allergic to clindamycin or to any of the ingredients of the medication
• are allergic to lincomycin
• have a history of colitis caused by antibiotic use
• have a history of inflammatory bowel disease

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

• erythromycin
• neuromuscular blocking agents (e.g., atracurium, pancuronium, succinylcholine)
• other medications inserted into the vagina

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 Vaginal (Clindamycin-vaginal). 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 Vaginal (Clindamycin-vaginal).

Allergies: Some people with skin allergies may experience worsening symptoms and irritation of the vaginal area when using clindamycin vaginal cream. If you have skin allergies, discuss with your doctor how Dalacin Vaginal (Clindamycin-vaginal) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Dalacin Vaginal (Clindamycin-vaginal), and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Bacterial resistance: Clindamycin vaginal cream should only be used to treat bacterial vaginal infections. 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 when you first start taking clindamycin, you need to take all of the medication, exactly as prescribed by your doctor, to finish ridding your body of the infection and to prevent resistant bacteria from taking hold.

Birth control: This cream contains mineral oil. Mineral oil may weaken latex or rubber products such as condoms or vaginal contraceptive diaphragms. It is not recommended to use such products within 72 hours following treatment with the vaginal cream.

Diarrhea: People using Dalacin Vaginal (Clindamycin-vaginal) may develop diarrhea caused by an infection with the bacteria C. difficile. If you have loose, watery, and bloody bowel movements, with or without Fever or stomach cramps, after using clindamycin vaginal cream, get medical attention as soon as possible. Diarrhea caused by C. difficile infection can lead to serious health problems if it is not properly treated.

Menstruation: Menstruating women should wait until they finish menstruating before they start to use the vaginal cream.

Sexual activity: To avoid additional irritation of the vaginal area, women using clindamycin vaginal cream should not participate in sexual intercourse or use other vaginal products while using Dalacin Vaginal (Clindamycin-vaginal).

Pregnancy: The use of clindamycin vaginal cream by women in their second trimester of pregnancy has not been associated with side effects; however, the safety of Dalacin Vaginal (Clindamycin-vaginal) for use during pregnancy has not been established. Dalacin Vaginal (Clindamycin-vaginal) should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while using Dalacin Vaginal (Clindamycin-vaginal), contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: It is not known if clindamycin vaginal cream passes into breast milk. If you are breast-feeding, talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks of using Dalacin Vaginal (Clindamycin-vaginal). If you are a breast-feeding mother and are using Dalacin Vaginal (Clindamycin-vaginal), it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.