Flagyl vs. Cleocin (clindamycin)

Flagyl, Flagyl ER, and Flagyl Injection (metronidazole) and Cleocin HCl (clindamycin hydrochloride) are antibiotics used to treat bacterial infections.

Flagyl and Cleocin are different types of antibiotics. Flagyl is a nitroimidazole antibiotic and Cleocin is a lincomycin antibiotic.

Side effects of Flagyl include:

• nausea,
• abdominal cramps,
• stomach upset,
• vomiting,
• diarrhea,
• constipation,
• headache,
• weight loss (anorexia),
• dizziness,
• dry mouth,
• dark-colored urine, or
• a metallic taste in the mouth or changes in taste.

Uncomfortable side effects that may become serious are:

• fevers,
• pain with urination,
• mouth sores,
• tingling or pricking sensations that may become permanent,
• brain disease, and
• seizures.

Serious but unlikely side effects of Flagyl include:

• unsteadiness,
• seizures,
• mood changes,
• numbness or tingling of the hands or feet, and
• painful urination.

Common side effects of Cleocin (clindamycin) include:

• nausea,
• vomiting,
• diarrhea,
• stomach pain,
• joint pain,
• vaginal itching or discharge,
• skin rash or itching,
• heartburn,
• sore throat, or
• changes in bowel habits (especially in older adults).

Tell your doctor if you experience serious side effects of Cleocin HCl including:

• yellowing eyes/skin (jaundice),
• dark urine, or
• changes in the amount of urine.

Flagyl, Flagyl ER, and Flagyl Injection (metronidazole) are antimicrobial drugs used to treat bacterial vaginosis, trichomonas, amebiasis, and anaerobic bacterial infections.

What is Cleocin (clindamycin)?

Cleocin HCl (clindamycin hydrochloride) is an antibiotic used to treat serious infections caused by bacteria.

Flagyl may interact with blood thinners or seizure medications.

Flagyl may also interact with cimetidine, lithium, or disulfiram.

Other drugs may interact with Cleocin HCl.

Flagyl is supplied in 250 and 500 mg strength tablets, Flagyl ER is available in 750 mg strength tablets, and Flagyl Injection in 500 mg strength in a buffered 100 ml vial. Dosage is quite variable and dependent upon the severity of disease and other considerations made by the treating physician. Most of the serious side effects may occur with any of these three preparations of Flagyl. Flagyl may cause liver enzyme levels to increase; lithium and creatinine levels should be checked to avoid lithium toxicity or renal compromise. Alcohol may increase the side effects of Flagyl. Patients on disulfiram should not take Flagyl until they have had a two week interval without taking disulfiram, especially alcoholic patients, to avoid psychotic reactions. Treatment in pregnant women (during first 3 months is not advised) or women who are breastfeeding should only be done if the benefits outweigh the potential problems. Flagyl passes into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding. Except for use in amebiasis, studies in pediatric patients are not available; Flagyl ER has no pediatric studies.

The dose of Cleocin HCl for adults is 150 to 300 mg every 6 hours. For more severe infections is 300 to 450 mg every 6 hours. The dose of for pediatric patients is 8 to 16 mg/kg/day divided in three or four equal doses. For more severe infections, 16 to 20 mg/kg/day divided in three or four equal doses.