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Clindamycin C. difficile risk — GPhC CRA MCQ

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EasyAdverse Drug ReactionsClindamycin C. difficile riskGPhC CRA

A 58-year-old man presents to the pharmacy with a prescription for clindamycin 300 mg four times daily for a bone infection. He asks about side effects. What is the most important adverse effect to warn him about?

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Correct answer: D — Clindamycin can cause antibiotic-associated colitis including Clostridioides difficile infection, and he should report severe or persistent diarrhoea immediately

Clindamycin has a well-established association with Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhoea and pseudomembranous colitis. Patients should be warned to report any diarrhoea immediately, especially if it is severe, prolonged, or bloody. The antibiotic should be stopped if C. difficile is suspected. This is the most clinically significant adverse effect of clindamycin.

Reference: BNF