TheraRadar
Data updated: May 26, 2026

CLEOCIN HYDROCHLORIDE (clindamycin hydrochloride)

Infectious Disease Approved 1970-02-22

CLEOCIN HYDROCHLORIDE is indicated for the treatment of Respiratory Tract Infection; Skin and Soft Tissue Infection; Septicemia; Intra-abdominal Infection; Peritonitis; Intra-abdominal Abscess; Infection of the Female Pelvis; Infection of the Female Genital Tract; Endometritis; Tubo-ovarian Abscess; Pelvic Cellulitis; Postsurgical Vaginal Cuff Infection; Empyema; Anaerobic Pneumonitis; Lung Abscess.

Source: FDA Label • Pfizer

How CLEOCIN HYDROCHLORIDE Works

Clindamycin inhibits bacterial protein synthesis by binding to the 23S RNA of the 50S subunit of the bacterial ribosome. This mechanism of action is primarily bacteriostatic.

4
Indications
--
Phase 3 Trials
56
Years on Market

Details

Status
Prescription
First Approved
1970-02-22
Routes
ORAL
Dosage Forms
CAPSULE

Companies

Active Ingredient: CLINDAMYCIN HYDROCHLORIDE

CLEOCIN HYDROCHLORIDE Approval History

1971
1972
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2026
Original
New Indication
New Form
Label Update
270 FDA actions from 1970 to 2026 · 3 indication expansions
Mar 2026 SUPPL
Label · Labeling
Feb 2026 SUPPL
Label · Labeling
Jul 2024 SUPPL
Label · Labeling

What CLEOCIN HYDROCHLORIDE Treats

15 indications

CLEOCIN HYDROCHLORIDE is approved for 15 conditions since its original approval in 1970. These indications span multiple therapeutic areas including oncology, immunology, and more.

  • Respiratory Tract Infection
  • Skin and Soft Tissue Infection
  • Septicemia
  • Intra-abdominal Infection
  • Peritonitis
  • Intra-abdominal Abscess
  • Infection of the Female Pelvis
  • Infection of the Female Genital Tract
Source: FDA Label

CLEOCIN HYDROCHLORIDE Boxed Warning

WARNING Clostridioides difficile -associated diarrhea (CDAD) has been reported with use of nearly all antibacterial agents, including CLEOCIN HCl 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 CLEOCIN HCl therapy has been associated with severe colitis which may end fatally, it should be reserved for serious infections where less toxic antimicrobial agents are ...

CLEOCIN HYDROCHLORIDE Competitive Set

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Filters applied: drops same-active-ingredient (505(b)(2) reformulations), route-mismatch (topical vs systemic), and cross-therapeutic-area matches in same-indication rings.

Drugs Similar to CLEOCIN HYDROCHLORIDE

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FDA-approved drugs for similar conditions. Compare mechanisms and indications to understand treatment alternatives.

CLINDAMYCIN HYDROCHLORIDE
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10 shared
MICRO LABS
Shared indications:
Respiratory Tract InfectionSkin and Soft Tissue InfectionSepticemia +7 more
CLINDAMYCIN PALMITATE HYDROCHLORIDE
CLINDAMYCIN PALMITATE HYDROCHLORIDE
10 shared
SOMERSET THERAPS LLC
Shared indications:
Respiratory Tract InfectionEmpyemaAnaerobic Pneumonitis +7 more
CEFOXITIN AND DEXTROSE IN DUPLEX CONTAINER
CEFOXITIN SODIUM
6 shared
B BRAUN
Shared indications:
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Active Pipeline

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Ongoing clinical trials by development phase

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Key Completed Trials

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Completed studies with published results, ranked by significance

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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.

CLEOCIN HYDROCHLORIDE FDA Label Details

Indications & Usage

FDA Label (PDF)

CLEOCIN HYDROCHLORIDE is indicated for the treatment of Respiratory Tract Infection; Skin and Soft Tissue Infection; Septicemia; Intra-abdominal Infection; Peritonitis; Intra-abdominal Abscess; Infection of the Female Pelvis; Infection of the Female Genital Tract; Endometritis; Tubo-ovarian Abscess; Pelvic Cellulitis; Postsurgical Vaginal Cuff Infection; Empyema; Anaerobic Pneumonitis; Lung Abscess.

⚠️ BOXED WARNING

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

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Data Sources

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