Clindamycin Dosage Calculator
Calculate clindamycin (Cleocin) dosage for adults and children by weight, indication, and route. Includes oral solution and capsule amounts, IV dilution and infusion rate guidance, and important safety warnings.
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Disclaimer: For educational purposes only. Not a substitute for clinical judgment. Always verify doses with current guidelines and pharmacy references.
About This Tool
What Is Clindamycin?
Clindamycin is a lincosamide antibiotic effective against many gram-positive cocci (including MRSA) and anaerobes. It is available as oral capsules (150 mg, 300 mg), oral solution (75 mg/5 mL), and injectable formulation (150 mg/mL). Brand names include Cleocin (US) and Dalacin (Canada/UK). Clindamycin works by inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis at the 50S ribosomal subunit and can be bacteriostatic or bactericidal depending on the concentration and organism.
Common Indications
Clindamycin is commonly used for skin and soft tissue infections (especially MRSA), dental infections, bone and joint infections, pelvic inflammatory disease, bacterial vaginosis, and as an alternative for patients with penicillin allergy in surgical prophylaxis and GBS prophylaxis. In pediatrics, it is a key agent for MRSA skin infections, osteomyelitis, and as an alternative for penicillin-allergic children requiring dental or endocarditis prophylaxis.
How to Calculate Clindamycin Dose for Children
Pediatric clindamycin dosing uses mg/kg/day, divided into 3–4 daily doses. The total daily dose is calculated by multiplying the child's weight in kg by the mg/kg/day for the specific indication (ranging from 10–40 mg/kg/day). This daily total is divided by 3 (TID) or 4 (QID) to determine the per-dose amount. The per-dose mg is then converted to mL using the oral solution concentration (75 mg/5 mL): mL = (mg per dose ÷ 75) × 5.
Adult Dosing Overview
Adult clindamycin dosing is fixed-dose rather than weight-based. Oral dosing ranges from 150 mg q6h for mild infections to 450 mg q6–8h for severe infections. IV dosing for serious infections is 600–900 mg every 8 hours, with a maximum daily dose of 4.8 g. Specific regimens exist for MRSA skin infections (300–450 mg PO TID), bacterial vaginosis (300 mg PO BID × 7 days), and surgical prophylaxis in PCN-allergic patients (900 mg IV single dose).
🔑 Clinical Pearls
- C. difficile: Clindamycin is one of the antibiotics most strongly associated with CDAD. Always weigh the risk vs. benefit and consider alternatives when appropriate.
- D-test: If the susceptibility report shows erythromycin-resistant but clindamycin-susceptible, request a D-zone test. A positive result indicates inducible clindamycin resistance (erm gene) — avoid use.
- IV infusion: Never give clindamycin IV push. Dilute to ≤18 mg/mL and infuse at ≤30 mg/min. A 900 mg dose requires at least 30 minutes of infusion time.
- No renal adjustment: Clindamycin is hepatically metabolized — no dose change for CKD or dialysis.
- Oral administration: Take capsules with a full glass of water and remain upright for 30 minutes to prevent esophageal ulceration.
- Bone penetration: Clindamycin has excellent bone penetration, making it a good choice for osteomyelitis (especially MRSA).
Key References
- Liu C, et al. Clinical Practice Guidelines by the IDSA for the Treatment of MRSA Infections in Adults and Children. Clin Infect Dis. 2011;52(3):e18–e55.
- Clindamycin (Cleocin) Prescribing Information. Pfizer Inc.
- Lexicomp / UpToDate Drug Information: Clindamycin (Systemic).
- AAP Red Book: 2021 Report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases. 32nd ed. American Academy of Pediatrics.
Formula last verified: February 2026