Dalacin Clindamycin 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 administered directly 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 2% 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 5g disposable applicators 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 gently and dispose of it. It is important to wash your hands before and after using Dalacin.

Dalacin dosage

The usual dose of Dalacin cream is one full applicator (5g) inserted into the vagina once daily before bedtime. The usual treatment duration is seven days. Your doctor or prescriber will go over the dose and duration with you.

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 (candida or yeast infection)
• Inflammation of the cervix, vulva and vagina - this may cause discomfort in the vulva, vagina or lower abdomen
• 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, generalised abdominal pain, back pain, pelvic pain, bacterial infection, head or chest infection, 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)

If you experience any side effects, let your doctor or pharmacist know, even if they are not listed here.

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 choose 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 or if you are taking any medicines designed to thin the blood, such as warfarin.

Dalacin cream vs. Dalacin tablets

Dalacin cream and Dalacin tablets (Dalacin C) contain the same antibiotic (clindamycin). Dalacin C or oral clindamycin is used to treat a variety of bacterial infections. Sometimes Dalacin C tablets will be used as an alternative therapy for the treatment of BV if initial treatment has not worked or is unsuitable. As Dalacin C is not a first-line treatment, it is not currently available via Dr Felix. If you still have symptoms of BV after finishing treatment, it’s important to speak with your doctor, as your symptoms may be due to another type of infection.

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 is also inserted into the vagina but contains a different antibiotic called metronidazole. 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. Zidoval gel

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) can be effectively treated using either Dalacin cream or Zidoval gel. These treatments both act at the site of infection within the vagina and are equally effective. BV can also be treated orally with Metronidazole tablets. Both the topical and oral treatments are regarded to be similarly effective in treating BV but, as a localised treatment, topical treatments carries less risk of side effects.

Dalacin cream vs. oral metronidazole

Both topical and oral therapies are equally effective at treating BV, so it’s really a matter of personal preference. Oral medications are usually associated with more side effects than topical treatments and require to be remembered twice per day. Dalacin cream has few side effects and is only used once per day, so this might be a better option for some people.

Is Dalacin an antibiotic?

Dalacin is an antibiotic cream containing clindamycin. 

Can I drink alcohol when using Dalacin?

Dalacin isn’t known to interact with alcohol, but drinking alcohol will put you at increased risk of developing side effects such as nausea and vomiting. It’s best to avoid alcohol until you have finished your treatment.

Can I use Dalacin while on my period?

Dalacin may not be as effective if it’s used while you’re menstruating. It’s recommended to wait until you are not bleeding to use this treatment. In addition, it’s not recommended to use other intravaginal products such as tampons while using Dalacin.

When can I have sex again?

You should avoid sex while you have symptoms of any vaginal infection, and while you are using Dalacin cream. Sexual intercourse can hinder the ability of Dalacin to remove the bacteria causing infection. In addition, ingredients in Dalacin may cause condoms to break, potentially placing you at risk of pregnancy. It’s best to wait until you have completed your treatment, and your symptoms have resolved before having sex.