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Compare Clindamycin vs. Metronidazole

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Clindamycin (Cleocin) and metronidazole (Flagyl) are both antibiotics used to treat various infections, but they belong to different medication classes. Clindamycin is a lincosamide antibiotic, while metronidazole is a nitroimidazole antibiotic. Both medications can treat skin infections and lower respiratory tract infections, but metronidazole is also used for parasitic infections like amebiasis and trichomoniasis, which clindamycin does not treat. Clindamycin is available in oral capsules, liquid, and injection forms, while metronidazole is available in oral tablets and capsules. Clindamycin is typically taken three to four times a day, whereas metronidazole is usually taken three times a day, with some variations depending on the infection. Both medications are available as lower-cost generics. Common side effects of clindamycin include diarrhea, nausea, and rash, while metronidazole can cause headaches, nausea, and a metallic taste. You should avoid alcohol with both medications, but metronidazole has a more severe interaction with alcohol, requiring you to avoid it for at least three days after stopping the medication.

  • Clindamycin (Cleocin)
    Metronidazole (Flagyl)
  • Clindamycin (Cleocin)
    Metronidazole (Flagyl)

  • Summary of Clindamycin vs. Metronidazole

    Summary for Lincosamide antibiotic
    Prescription only

    Clindamycin (Cleocin) is a lincosamide antibiotic that's used to treat many different serious bacterial infections, such as strep throat and skin infections. This antibiotic is approved for use in both adults and children. Clindamycin (Cleocin) is available as a capsule and liquid that are taken 3 or 4 times per day, depending on your age and your infection. It's also available as an injection that's given by a healthcare professional. Side effects include stomach upset, itching, and rash.

    Summary for Nitroimidazole antibiotic
    Prescription only

    Metronidazole (Flagyl) is an oral antibiotic for adults and children. It's used to treat certain bacterial and parasitic infections, including bacterial vaginosis (a type of vaginal bacteria infection) and trichomoniasis (a sexually transmitted infection, or STI). Metronidazole (Flagyl) is taken by mouth, typically 3 times a day. Some common side effects of this medication include diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Avoid drinking alcohol while taking and for 3 days after stopping metronidazole (Flagyl) because this combination can cause a serious reaction. Metronidazole (Flagyl) is available as a lower-cost generic.

  • Indications of Clindamycin vs. Metronidazole

    Indications for
    •Skin infections (e.g., cellulitis)
    •Lower respiratory tract infections (e.g., pneumonia, bronchitis)
    •Stomach infections
    •Pelvic and genital tract infections
    •Bloodstream infections
    •Bone and joint infections - injection form only
    Indications for

    Treatment of certain bacterial and parasitic infections, including:

    •Trichomoniasis
    •Amebiasis (parasitic gut infection)
    •Serious bacterial infections, such as:
    •Abdominal infection (including peritonitis)
    •Skin infections
    •Gynecological infections (including endometritis)
    •Bloodstream infection (septicemia)
    •Bone and joint infections
    •Central nervous system infections (meningitis)
    •Lung infections (lower respiratory tract infections)
    •Heart infection (endocarditis)

  • Pros and Cons of Clindamycin vs. Metronidazole

    Pros and Const for Lincosamide antibiotic
    Pros
    •Can treat many different infections throughout the body
    •Available as lower-cost generic capsule, liquid, and injection
    •Can take if you have a penicillin allergy
    Cons
    •Might need to take three or four times per day
    •Must take capsules with a full glass of water to prevent irritation to your esophagus (the tube that connects your throat to your stomach)
    •Risk of causing a type of infectious diarrhea
    Pros and Const for Nitroimidazole antibiotic
    Pros
    •Taken by mouth
    •Available as a lower-cost generic medication
    •Can be used to treat different types of bacterial infection
    •Immediate-release formulations can be taken with or without food
    Cons
    •Immediate-release formulations needs to be taken multiple times a day for most infections
    •Serious interaction with alcohol
    •Can cause metallic taste in mouth
    •Not recommended while breastfeeding

  • Common Side Effects of Clindamycin vs. Metronidazole

    Common Side Effects for
    •Diarrhea
    •Nausea
    •Vomiting
    •Stomach pain
    •Skin rash
    •Itching
    Common Side Effects for

    Please note: These are common side effects reported by people who took extended-release metronidazole (Flagyl)

    •Headache (18%)
    •Inflammation of the vagina (15%)
    •Nausea (10%)
    •Metallic taste (9%)
    •Flu-like symptoms (6%)

  • Warnings of Clindamycin vs. Metronidazole

    Common Side Effects for
    •Severe allergic reactions and skin reactions
    •Diarrhea from Clostridioides difficile infection
    •Development of drug-resistant bacteria
    Common Side Effects for
    •Possible risk of cancer
    •Serious allergic reactions
    •Brain and nerve problems
    •Liver and kidney problems
    •Risk of fungal infection
    •Risk of drug resistance
    •Lower white blood cell counts
    •Interaction with other medications

  • Prices with our coupons for Clindamycin vs. Metronidazole

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    Learn more about Metronidazole

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