TheraRadar
Data updated: Jun 28, 2026

CLINDAMYCIN HYDROCHLORIDE · GLENMARK PHARMS LTD

Infectious Disease Approved 1970-02-22

Clindamycin is indicated in the treatment of serious infections caused by susceptible anaerobic bacteria. Its use should be reserved for penicillin-allergic patients or other patients for whom, in the judgment of the physician, a penicillin is inappropriate. Because of the risk of colitis, as described in the BOXED WARNING , before selecting clindamycin, the physician should consider the nature of the infection and the suitability of less toxic alternatives (e.g., erythromycin).

Source: FDA Label
NDA
Small Molecule
10
Indications
--
Phase 3 Trials
56
Years on Market

CLINDAMYCIN HYDROCHLORIDE Approval History

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Original
New Indication
New Form
Label Update
299 FDA actions from 1989 to 2026
Jan 2026 SUPPL
Label · Labeling
Sep 2025 SUPPL
Label · Labeling
Jul 2025 SUPPL
Label · Labeling

What CLINDAMYCIN HYDROCHLORIDE Treats

15 indications

CLINDAMYCIN HYDROCHLORIDE is approved for 15 conditions since its original approval in 1989. These indications span multiple therapeutic areas including oncology, immunology, and more.

  • Anaerobic Bacterial Infection
  • Pneumococcal Infection
  • Respiratory Tract Infection
  • Empyema
  • Pneumonitis
  • Lung Abscess
  • Skin and Soft Tissue Infection
  • Septicemia
  • Intra-Abdominal Infection
  • Peritonitis
  • Intra-Abdominal Abscess
  • Endometritis
  • Tubo-Ovarian Abscess
  • Pelvic Cellulitis
  • Vaginal Cuff Infection
Source: FDA Label

CLINDAMYCIN HYDROCHLORIDE Boxed Warning

WARNING Clostridioides difficile- associated diarrhea (CDAD) has been reported with use of nearly all antibacterial agents, including clindamycin hydrochloride and may range in severity from mild diarrhea to fatal colitis. Treatment with antibacterial agents alters the normal flora of the colon, leading to overgrowth of C. difficile . Because clindamycin hydrochloride therapy has been associated with severe colitis which may end fatally, it should be reserved for serious infections where less to...

CLINDAMYCIN HYDROCHLORIDE Competitive Set

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Drugs Similar to CLINDAMYCIN HYDROCHLORIDE

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CLEOCIN HYDROCHLORIDE
CLINDAMYCIN HYDROCHLORIDE
11 shared
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Shared indications:
Respiratory Tract InfectionSkin and Soft Tissue InfectionSepticemia +8 more
CLEOCIN PHOSPHATE
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Shared indications:
Anaerobic Bacterial InfectionEmpyemaLung Abscess +8 more
CLINDAMYCIN PALMITATE HYDROCHLORIDE
CLINDAMYCIN PALMITATE HYDROCHLORIDE
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AMNEAL PHARMS
Shared indications:
Respiratory Tract InfectionEmpyemaLung Abscess +6 more
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Active Pipeline

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Key Completed Trials

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Trial Timeline

Full development history with FDA approval milestones

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Understanding FDA Approval Types
Count Type What it means
- ORIG Original approval - drug first enters market
- SUPPL - Efficacy New indication (new disease/condition approved)
- SUPPL - Labeling Label text changes (warnings, dosing updates)
- SUPPL - Manufacturing Production changes (new facility)
- SUPPL - Chemistry Formulation changes (new dosage strength)

Green lines in the timeline show ORIG and Efficacy approvals - the clinically meaningful milestones.

CLINDAMYCIN HYDROCHLORIDE FDA Label Details

Indications & Usage

Clindamycin is indicated in the treatment of serious infections caused by susceptible anaerobic bacteria. Clindamycin is also indicated in the treatment of serious infections due to susceptible strains of streptococci, pneumococci, and staphylococci. Its use should be reserved for penicillin-allergic patients or other patients for whom, in the judgment of the physician, a penicillin is inappropriate. Because of the risk of colitis, as described in the BOXED WARNING , before selecting clindamycin, the physician should consider the nature of the infection and the suitability of less toxic altern...

⚠️ BOXED WARNING

WARNING Clostridioides difficile- associated diarrhea (CDAD) has been reported with use of nearly all antibacterial agents, including clindamycin hydrochloride and may range in severity from mild diarrhea to fatal colitis. Treatment with antibacterial agents alters the normal flora of the colon, lea...

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CLEOCIN HYDROCHLORIDE

Full clinical data, patents, trials, and competitive landscape for clindamycin hydrochloride.

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Data Sources

Data sourced from official FDA and NIH databases. Click links to verify on original sources.