Clindamycin C difficile Risk — MFDS Part 1 MCQ

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EasyPharmacologyClindamycin C difficile RiskMFDS Part 1

According to current SDCEP advice on antibiotic prophylaxis for dental procedures, which antibiotic is no longer recommended because its increased adverse-event risk is mainly related to Clostridioides difficile-associated infection?

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Correct answer: D — Clindamycin

Clindamycin is correct. Current SDCEP dental prophylaxis advice no longer recommends it because of its increased risk of adverse events, principally Clostridioides difficile-associated infection. Clindamycin can disrupt normal colonic flora and cause diarrhoea ranging from mild illness to potentially fatal pseudomembranous colitis. Amoxicillin remains an SDCEP prophylaxis option for patients without penicillin allergy. Azithromycin, along with clarithromycin, is an alternative when penicillin allergy is present. Metronidazole may be used for selected odontogenic infections but is not a standard infective endocarditis prophylaxis regimen. Doxycycline is used in selected dental or respiratory indications but is not the antibiotic excluded by SDCEP for this specific adverse-effect reason.

Reference: Scottish Dental Clinical Effectiveness Programme, Antibiotic Prophylaxis Against Infective Endocarditis: Oral antibiotic prophylaxis regimens, 2026. https://www.antibioticprophylaxis.sdcep.org.uk/implementation-advice/prescribing-advice/oral-antibiotic-prophylaxis-regimens/