Key takeaways
Vancocin (vancomycin) and Cleocin (clindamycin) are both antibiotics, but they are used to treat different types of infections and come in different forms. Vancocin (vancomycin) is a glycopeptide antibiotic taken orally to treat severe gut infections like *Clostridioides difficile* (C. diff) diarrhea and *Staphylococcus aureus* (S. aureus) enterocolitis. It is available in both capsule and liquid forms and needs to be taken multiple times a day. On the other hand, Cleocin (clindamycin) is a lincosamide antibiotic used vaginally to treat bacterial vaginosis. It comes as a suppository and is typically used once daily for three days. While Vancocin (vancomycin) is available as a generic medication, Cleocin (clindamycin) is only available as a brand-name medication, making it more expensive. Vancocin (vancomycin) can cause side effects like nausea and stomach pain, whereas Cleocin (clindamycin) can cause vaginal irritation and yeast infections. Additionally, Cleocin (clindamycin) can weaken condoms and diaphragms, so you should avoid using these barrier methods for a few days after treatment.
