Clindamycin is a semi-synthetic lincosamide antibiotic used in the treatment of a variety of serious infections due to susceptible microorganisms[L11599,L11596] as well as topically for acne vulgaris.[L11593] It has a relatively narrow spectrum of activity that includes anaerobic bacteria as well as gram-positive cocci and bacilli and gram-negative bacilli.[A190621] Interestingly, clindamycin appears to carry some activity against protozoans, and has been used off-label in the treatment of toxoplasmosis, malaria, and babesiosis.[A190657] Clindamycin is derived from, and has largely replaced, [lincomycin], a naturally occurring lincosamide and the eponymous member of this antibiotic class, due to its improved properties over the parent compound. The name lincomycin is derived from Lincoln, Nebraska, where it was first isolated from _Streptomyces lincolnensis_ found in a soil sample.[A190621]
In oral and parenteral formulations, clindamycin is indicated for the treatment of serious infections caused by susceptible anaerobic bacteria, as well as susceptible staphylococci, streptococci, and pneumococci.[L11599,L11602] Used topically, it is indicated for the treatment of acne vulgaris[L11593,L11611,L11605] and is available in combination with [benzoyl peroxide][L11584] or [tretinoin][L11590] for this purpose, or as a triple combination therapy with benzoyl peroxide and [adapalene].[L48666] Clindamycin is also indicated as a vaginal cream[L11596], suppository[L11608], or gel[L39416] for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis in non-pregnant females. Clindamycin is used for antimicrobial prophylaxis against _Viridans_ group streptococcal infections in susceptible patients undergoing oral, dental, or upper respiratory surgery, and may be used for prophylaxis against bacterial endocarditis in penicillin-allergic patients at high risk of these infections.[L11629]
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Agents that produce neuromuscular block (indirect)
Drug Info/Drug Targets: DrugBank 3.0: a comprehensive resource for 'omics' research on drugs. Knox C, Law V, Jewison
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