OverviewDosageSide EffectsInteractionsHalf-Life

Clindamycin for tooth infection treatment may be preferable over more standard treatment with penicillins if a person is allergic to penicillins. Clindamycin helps prevent continued growth of bacteria inside an infected tooth. 

Dosage

The dosage of clindamycin for tooth infection varies. The typical prescription is 150 to 300 mg, taken 3 to 4 times per day. More serious infections may require 300 to 450 mg every 6 hours. Usually, a person will need to take their medication for at least five to seven days.

To reduce the risk of reinfection and antibiotic resistance, patients must completely finish all of their antibiotics, even if they feel better. The only exception to this rule is if a doctor explicitly tells their patients that they may stop early.

Side Effects

As mentioned, common side effects of clindamycin include stomach upset, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, and hives. Understandably, vomiting while struggling with a painful tooth infection may be incredibly uncomfortable. Doctors may recommend medications to reduce vomiting. 

For more information, please visit our page on clindamycin side effects.

Disclaimer: this article does not constitute or replace medical advice. If you have an emergency or a serious medical question, please contact a medical professional or call 911 immediately. To see our full medical disclaimer, visit our Terms of Use page.


More about Clindamycin

Written by

Fact Checked by