Function

• Cleocin Phosphate works by inhibiting a process called protein synthesis inside of bacteria cells. Because protein synthesis is necessary for the cells to survive, bacteria quickly die once this process stops.
  
  

Indications

• Possible uses for Cleocin Phosphate include the treatment of pneumonia, strep, certain types of acne, abdominal infections like peritonitis, blood infections like septicemia and bone infections like osteomyelitis.
  
  

Time Frame

• Depending on the severity of the infection, doctors typically prescribe Cleocin Phosphate for as many as 10 days.
  
  

Risks

• The most common side effects of Cleocin Phosphate are diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and stomach pain. Some patients develop severe inflammation of the colon or colitis while being treated with Cleocin, causing severe diarrhea and a risk for dehydration.
  
  

Considerations

• Because there is no evidence to the safety of Cleocin Phosphate to fetal development, doctors restrict use of the drug in pregnant women to instances when there is no possible alternative to treatment. Patients with a history of gastrointestinal, kidney or liver disease or those prone to diarrhea or dehydration are typically not good candidates for use of Cleocin Phosphate.