Clindamycin

Pregnancy

There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women to determine the risk of adverse developmental outcomes associated with topical use of clindamycin.

Clinical trials involving oral administration (not topical) during the second and third trimesters have not demonstrated an increased frequency of congenital abnormalities.

In animal studies, oral use (not topical) of 58 times the recommended human dose in rats and 29 times in mice showed no evidence of teratogenic effects.

Further research with clindamycin phosphate, clindamycin hydrochloride, and clindamycin palmitate hydrochloride in rats and mice confirmed the absence of fetal harm at doses equivalent to 84-fold (rats) and 42-fold (mice) the anticipated human dose, based on mg/m² comparisons.

However, a small study involving a 2% vaginal cream in pregnant women during the second trimester reported abnormal labor in 1.1% of cases compared to 0.5% in those given a placebo. 

As animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human responses, and we do not have adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women, clindamycin should only be used during pregnancy if clearly necessary.

Be sure to talk to your doctor before using clindamycin when pregnant or planning to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using clindamycin during breastfeeding.

It is not known whether clindamycin is excreted in human milk following the use of topical clindamycin. However, orally and directly administered clindamycin has been reported to appear in breast milk. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants, a woman and her doctor should make a decision whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.

Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.