Cleocin (clindamycin)

[dut]

Hi - our ped has prescribed cleocin for our dd6 who is just coming out of a mild flare and whose recent stool sample came back positive for strep. Not sure what type, we just got the info over the phone today.

 

A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.. having re googled clindamycin and reminded myself of the c.diff issue and (rarely fatal) colitis that can ensue.. I've now terrified myself and am sweating starting the clindamycin. I'm looking for some platitudes here please

 

could people relay some of their experinces with clindamycin (some nice stories of great benefit and no c.diff or colitis would be good).....

 

thanks

[Phasmid]

I can answer per our own experience. Firstly, any strong, broad spectrum antibiotic can kill off enough of the host's normal flora that a few Clostridium cells can take off and colonize. My son was chronically treated with all kinds of antibiotics. He was colonized with C. diff, after being on amoxicillin. However, we think he was colonized for several years.

 

If either loose stool or diarrhea result after being on this, or another, antibiotic OR, if constipation becomes an issue, then simply have stool test for C. diff. toxin A and B. It really is only an issue if there has been chronic history of antibiotic use. If you notice abdominal bloating, or foul smelling stool, get it tested. Also, if more than normal cramping.

 

If positive for C. diff., a course of vancomycin or flagyl will successfully treat it. My son has a history of C. diff., and I still allowed him to start on biaxin first, now azithromycin, which is another one that can lead to colonization. I had stool tested after two weeks, and there's no sign of it, so I think he's ok now.

[peglem]

I think, as said b4, that almost any abx can result in cdiff problems. But, my daughter has been on various abx's for 5 years or so, mostly zith the last 2 years, and just tested neg. for anything nasty per stool sample.

And, I'd just like to recommend, to be extra safe, use s. boolardii, w/ the abx to help guard against cdiff.

[dut]

thanks folks.. my dd takes about 20bn or so of pharmax probiotics and 1 capsule of florastor per day. I was going to up her to 30-40 bn and 2 capsules and a load of kefir if I can get it in her :-) She's never had any yeast issues to date with proph zith and a few treatment courses but the clindamycin got me more worried..

 

ok, I will stop panicing.. I had a friend who developed ulcerative colitis and had to had her bowel removed at 23 and an aunt who had Crohn's so I may be a little easy to freak

 

thanks again

[Phasmid]

Not to make you freak, when you just decided not to freak, but my son did develop pseudomembranous colitis from C. diff.

 

HOWEVER... it cleared up entirely with oral vancomycin. Subsequent scoping showed all recovered nicely (and I have the pretty pictures to prove it).

[kimballot]

This is an off-topic question about clindamycin - is it still in liquid form or is it in a pill now. My son took it many years ago and it was a very thick liquid that smelled horrific. I am wondering if they have made it more user - friendly!

[pathfinder]

My ds16 had a major strep/mycoplasma p. issue back in Feb this year. Physical illness was one thing but his behavior was off the wall with all that were going on with him at the time. His ped prescribed him with Clindamycin and my son came out of his OCD with rage in less than a week. It was a wow experience for us. I was very worried like you about this medication but it was a very very positive experience for us. ( he did have a bit of stomach ache but it was not that bad)

Michelle

[dut]

I had heard that the liquid was really difficult for kids to take because of the taste. My dd is good but has her limits, she almost refused one of the cephalosporins last year 'cos of taste and named it "antiblurrghotic"

 

I was worried about the cleocin (it's 15ml, 3 times a day) and when I smelt it at the pharmacists it did indeed smell like a mix of hospital cleaners and cat diarrhea.. nice.

 

I stocked up on flavourful sweets and drinks to coax her with but when she had it this afternoon she said "oh it's not bad, quite nice actaully, like cherry" - hooray! At least I won't have to fight that battle. So it smells foul but, according to my dd, tastes ok.

[AmySLP]

My 5 year old daughter has been on this twice for strep-I attribute it for clearing her of PANDAS symptoms the first time around for nearly 1 year. UNfortunately for her it did not work this second time around, however she had no issues from it. I stayed very consistent with the probiotics. Here's a really good tip though from the Target pharmacist-add the grape lemonade flavor to Clindamycin-My daughter actually LOVED it!!!!

 

Amy

[kimballot]

WOW!! you are so lucky! It can still smell it from about 9 years ago - it reminded me of stinky feet! You are so fortunate that your daughter is taking it! I remember that it did work well... so hopefully it will work for you!

[Worried_Dad]

My wife and 2 non-PANDAS sons were just started on clindamycin in the wake of their elevated ASO titers. You're right: it smells terrible! Luckily, our boys are going along with the program and taking it on schedule... at least so far!

 

 

WOW!! you are so lucky! It can still smell it from about 9 years ago - it reminded me of stinky feet! You are so fortunate that your daughter is taking it! I remember that it did work well... so hopefully it will work for you!