Dalacin Cream

What is Dalacin?

Dalacin cream is a vaginal cream containing the antibiotic clindamycin. Clindamycin helps eradicate the bacteria which typically cause bacterial vaginosis (BV) in women.

What is Dalacin used for?

Dalacin cream is a 7-day antibiotic medication that is inserted into the vagina to treat bacterial vaginosis. 

How does Dalacin work?

Dalacin contains the antibiotic clindamycin, which works by preventing the reproduction and spread of bacteria which typically cause bacterial vaginosis (BV) in women. The body’s immune system is then able to fight off the bacteria, relieving the symptoms of BV.

Active ingredients

The active ingredient in Dalacin cream is clindamycin phosphate.

Inactive ingredients

The inactive ingredients of Dalacin cream are benzyl alcohol, sorbitan stearate, polysorbate 60, propylene glycol, stearic acid, cetostearyl alcohol, cetyl palmitate, liquid paraffin and water.

How to use Dalacin

Dalacin cream should be used as instructed by your doctor. This treatment comes with a 5mg applicator which can be screwed onto the tube where the cap has been removed. To fill the applicator, squeeze the tube until the plunger stops moving. For easy insertion, lie on your back and insert the applicator into your vagina as far as is possible without causing any discomfort. Keeping hold of the barrel, gently push the plunger until all the cream has been transferred into the vagina. Withdraw the applicator genty and dispose of it. It is important to wash your hands before and after using Dalacin.

Dalacin dosage

The recommended dose of Dalacin cream is one full applicator (5mg) inserted into the vagina once daily before bedtime.

Dalacin side effects

Like all medications, Dalacin can cause side effects for some people. You should inform your doctor immediately if:

You experience symptoms of a rare allergic reaction to this medication, including hives or a bumpy rash. You develop severe and/or bloody diarrhoea, which may be accompanied by stomach cramps and/or fever.

Common side effects (affecting less than 1 in every 10 people) can include:

• Vaginal thrush
• Inflammation of the cervix, or inflammation or infection of the vulva and vagina
• Itching and discomfort or unusual vaginal discharge
• Stomach cramps

Less common side effects, which affect less than 1 in every 100 people, include:

• Vaginal infection or urinary tract infection (UTI)
• Vaginal pain
• Yeast infection elsewhere on the body
• Fungal infection
• Allergic reaction
• Headache, dizziness or loss of balance
• Nosebleeds
• Constipation and stomach ache
• Indigestion or wind
• Diarrhoea, nausea or vomiting
• Bad breath or loss of taste
• Rash, irritation and reddening of the skin or hives
• Painful urination, or an excess of sugar or protein in the urine

Rarely, a patient may experience:

• Vaginal inflammation, abdominal pain, back and pelvis pain, bacterial infection, head and chest infection or skin infection
• Abdominal swelling, specific abdominal pain or overactive thyroid
• Irregular periods or abnormal bleeding from the uterus
• Rash with red spots
• Pseudomembranous colitis (inflammation of the lining of the large intestine)  

Contraindications

You should NOT use Dalacin cream if:

• You are allergic to clindamycin, lincomycin or any of the ingredients of this medication
• You have a history of inflammatory bowel disease or antibiotic-associated colitis

Before using this medication, inform your doctor if you have diarrhoea, or tend to get diarrhoea when taking antibiotics. 

Sexual intercourse whilst using this treatment is not recommended. If you do chose to have sex during your course of Dalacin, bear in mind that the cream weakens latex condoms and diaphragms, so you will need to use an alternative form of contraception.

This medication is not recommended for use in children.  

Drug interactions

You should inform your doctor if you are taking or have recently taken any other medication before starting Dalacin cream. In particular, tell your doctor if you are taking erythromycin, lincomycin or any other antibiotics. If you are taking any medicines designed to thin the blood, such as Warfarin, you may need to take regular blood tests as you are more likely to experience a bleed.

Dalacin alternatives

A consultation with a doctor will help you decide which BV treatment is right for you. Alternatives to Dalacin cream include Zidoval gel, which contains metronidazole and is also inserted into the vagina over a 7-day period. Metronidazole can also be taken orally in the form of a course of tablets with similarly effective results. All of the above treatments are antibiotic and require a prescription following consultation with a doctor.

Dalacin cream vs Dalacin tablets

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) can also be treated orally with tablets containing clindamycin, such as Metronidazole. Both the topical and oral treatments are regarded to be similarly effective in treating BV but, as a localised treatment, the topical treatment carries less risk of side effects.

Is Dalacin an antibiotic?

Dalacin is an antibiotic cream containing clindamycin. 

Can I drink alcohol when using Dalacin?

Alcohol should be drunk with caution when using Dalacin cream, and should be avoided completely when taking Dalacin orally. Speak to your doctor for advice on the risks of drinking alcohol during this treatment.

Sources

• Patient Information Leaflet
• NHS > Bacterial Vaginosis 
• MedBroadcast > Dalacin