Drug interactions
Clindamycin + Succinylcholine
Severity: Moderate
Clindamycin and Succinylcholine: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Clindamycin can potentiate neuromuscular blockers including succinylcholine, prolonging paralysis. Respiratory depression has been reported after combined use.
What this interaction means in plain words
Clindamycin and Succinylcholine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Clindamycin belongs to Anti Bacterial; Succinylcholine belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Clindamycin has intrinsic neuromuscular blocking activity that adds to succinylcholine's depolarising block.
What to do
Monitor neuromuscular recovery with a nerve stimulator and keep ventilatory support available. Adjust the dose of succinylcholine if blockade is prolonged.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Succinylcholine
Other interactions of Clindamycin
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Clindamycin with Succinylcholine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Clindamycin and Succinylcholine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Clindamycin can potentiate neuromuscular blockers including succinylcholine, prolonging paralysis. Respiratory depression has been reported after combined use.
How serious is the interaction between Clindamycin and Succinylcholine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor neuromuscular recovery with a nerve stimulator and keep ventilatory support available. Adjust the dose of succinylcholine if blockade is prolonged.
What other medicines interact with Succinylcholine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Succinylcholine with, for example, Amikacin, Bacitracin-neomycin-polymyxin, Capreomycin. The full list is on the Succinylcholine page.
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