Clindamycin Phosphate
Clindamycin phosphate · Say it: klin-DA-my-sin FOS-fayt (Xaciato is said zah-she-AH-toe)
XACIATO is a single-dose vaginal gel that treats bacterial vaginosis, a bacterial infection of the vagina, in females 12 years and older.
Brand names: XACIATOCleocin Phosphate
Used for
The label says XACIATO is used to treat bacterial vaginosis in females 12 years of age and older. The label says it is not known whether XACIATO is safe and effective in children under 12.
Comes as
Vaginal gel, 2% clindamycin (as clindamycin phosphate), in an 8 g tube with one single-dose, user-filled applicator that delivers 5 g of gel containing 100 mg of clindamycin
Common side effects
Yeast infection in the vagina, which may need treatment with an antifungal medicine. In the main trial, this happened in 17% of people on XACIATO and 4% on placebo., Vaginal discomfort, including itching, burning, redness, and dryness. In the main trial, this happened in 6% of people on XACIATO and 5% on placebo., Tell your healthcare provider about any side effect that bothers you or does not go away.
| Generic name | Clindamycin phosphate |
|---|---|
| Brand names | XACIATO, Cleocin Phosphate |
| Type of medicine | A lincosamide antibacterial medicine |
| How it is sold | A vaginal gel used once as a single dose |
| Comes as | Vaginal gel, 2% clindamycin (as clindamycin phosphate), in an 8 g tube with one single-dose, user-filled applicator that delivers 5 g of gel containing 100 mg of clindamycin |
| Route | vaginal |
| Boxed warning | No |
| Label date | 2026-02-19 |
💊 What is Clindamycin Phosphate used for?
- The label says XACIATO is used to treat bacterial vaginosis in females 12 years of age and older. The label says it is not known whether XACIATO is safe and effective in children under 12.
How it works
The label describes XACIATO as an antibacterial medicine of the lincosamide type. It does not explain its mechanism in more detail.
How it is usually taken
- The label says the recommended dose is one filled applicator (5 g of gel containing 100 mg of clindamycin), placed in the vagina once as a single dose, at any time of the day. The label says each tube and applicator is for one use only. It is not for use in the eyes, mouth, or on the skin. Afterward, the used tube, any leftover gel, and the used applicator go in the container box and then into a trash container. Follow the instructions from your prescriber or pharmacist and the Instructions for Use in the patient leaflet.
Comes as
- Vaginal gel, 2% clindamycin (as clindamycin phosphate), in an 8 g tube with one single-dose, user-filled applicator that delivers 5 g of gel containing 100 mg of clindamycin
⚠️ Clindamycin Phosphate side effects
Common side effects
- Yeast infection in the vagina, which may need treatment with an antifungal medicine. In the main trial, this happened in 17% of people on XACIATO and 4% on placebo.
- Vaginal discomfort, including itching, burning, redness, and dryness. In the main trial, this happened in 6% of people on XACIATO and 5% on placebo.
- Tell your healthcare provider about any side effect that bothers you or does not go away.
Get medical help right away if
- Get medical help right away if you have diarrhea after using XACIATO. The label says to call your healthcare provider. One type, called Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD), can range from mild diarrhea to colitis that can lead to death.
- Get medical help right away if you have symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, such as trouble breathing or swelling. The label does not list specific allergy symptoms, but it does say you should not use XACIATO if you have had an allergy to clindamycin or lincomycin.
🛑 Who should not take Clindamycin Phosphate, and who should be careful
The label says not to take it if
- You have had an allergy to clindamycin or lincomycin (the label calls this a history of hypersensitivity).
- The label says it is not known whether XACIATO is safe and effective in children under 12.
Tell your doctor before taking it if
- Tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions. The label specifically mentions inflammatory bowel disease, including ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.
- Tell your provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
- Tell your provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
- Tell your provider about all medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
🔀 Clindamycin Phosphate with other medicines, food and alcohol
The label says to discuss these with your doctor or pharmacist
- The label says systemic (oral or IV) clindamycin has neuromuscular blocking properties that may enhance the action of other neuromuscular blocking agents, so it should be used with caution with those medicines.
- Do not have vaginal sex or use other vaginal products, such as tampons or douches, during treatment and for 3 days after using XACIATO.
- XACIATO may weaken polyurethane condoms. Polyurethane condoms are not recommended during treatment or for 7 days after. Latex or polyisoprene condoms should be used instead.
Alcohol and food
The label does not mention alcohol or food.
🤰 Clindamycin Phosphate in pregnancy and breastfeeding
Pregnancy
The label says XACIATO has not been studied in pregnant women. It says that because little of the medicine is absorbed into the body after vaginal use, the mother's use is not likely to cause significant exposure to the baby. Animal studies at doses about equal to the human dose showed no harmful effects on development. The label says it is not known whether XACIATO will harm an unborn baby, so tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant during treatment.
Breastfeeding
The label says the amount of XACIATO that passes into breast milk is low and is not expected to harm the baby. It says to talk with your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby while using XACIATO.
🗓️ Storage, missed doses and taking too much
Storage
Store at room temperature, between 68°F and 77°F (20°C to 25°C). The label allows short excursions between 59°F and 86°F (15°C to 30°C). Keep it and all medicines out of the reach of children.
If a dose is missed
The label does not say.
If too much is taken
The label does not say.
🗒️ Questions to ask about Clindamycin Phosphate
🎯 Check what you understood
1. How many applicatorfuls does the label say are used in the recommended dose?
2. Which type of condom does the label say should be used during treatment and for 7 days after?
3. What does the label say to do if you have diarrhea after using XACIATO?
❓ Clindamycin Phosphate: frequently asked questions
How many times can I use one XACIATO tube or applicator?
The label says XACIATO is for one-time, single use only. Do not use any medicine from the tube or applicator more than one time.
Can XACIATO be used in the eyes, mouth, or on the skin?
No. The label says XACIATO is for intravaginal use only and is not for use in the eyes, mouth, or on the skin.
How long should I avoid vaginal sex and vaginal products after using XACIATO?
The label says not to have vaginal sex or use vaginal products such as tampons or douches during treatment and for 3 days after using XACIATO.
Does XACIATO need to be refrigerated?
No. The label says to store XACIATO at room temperature, between 68°F and 77°F (20°C to 25°C), and to keep it out of the reach of children.
Can XACIATO be used by children under 12?
The label says it is not known whether XACIATO is safe and effective in children under 12 years of age.
🧪 Tests and reports linked to Clindamycin Phosphate
The label text mentions these. If you have one of these reports, get every line of it explained.
- Culture and sensitivity
a test or report linked to this medicine
- Urinalysis
a test or report linked to this medicine
- Pregnancy hCG test
a test or report linked to this medicine
📖 Medical words used on this page
- Allergic reaction
An allergic reaction is when the immune system overreacts to something harmless, such as a medicine or food, causing symptoms from a rash to swelling.
- Antibacterial
An antibacterial is a medicine or product that kills bacteria or stops them from growing. Antibacterial medicines do not work on viruses.
- Antibiotic
An antibiotic is a medicine that kills bacteria or stops them growing; it treats bacterial infections, not viral ones like colds or flu.
- Antifungal
An antifungal is a medicine that treats or prevents infections caused by fungi, such as yeast infections, athlete's foot and ringworm.
- Bacterial Vaginosis
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common vaginal condition caused by an imbalance of the usual bacteria, often with a thin discharge and fishy smell.
- Candida
Candida is a type of yeast (a fungus) that normally lives on the skin and in the mouth, gut and vagina, and can sometimes overgrow and cause infection.
- Candida infection
A candida infection (candidiasis or thrush) is an overgrowth of candida yeast, often in the mouth, vagina, penis or skin folds.
- Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhea
Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhea is a bowel infection, often after antibiotics, in which this germ overgrows and inflames the colon.
- Colitis
Colitis means inflammation of the colon (large bowel), which can cause diarrhea, tummy pain and sometimes blood in the stool.
- Edema
Edema is swelling caused by extra fluid trapped in the body's tissues, often in the feet, ankles and legs.
- Hypersensitivity
Hypersensitivity means the immune system overreacts to something, such as a medicine. It covers allergic reactions from mild rash to severe reactions.
- Inflammation
Inflammation is the body's response to injury or infection, causing redness, heat, swelling and pain as the immune system works to protect and repair.
- Lincosamide
A lincosamide is a type of antibiotic, mainly clindamycin, used for some skin, bone, dental and other infections.
- Neuromuscular Blocking Agents
Neuromuscular blocking agents are medicines used during anesthesia to relax all the muscles, given only with full breathing support.
📖 Medical words on this page
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Have the leaflet or prescription in front of you?
Explain my leafletDecode my prescription🔗 Trusted sources about Clindamycin Phosphate
- Full official label on DailyMed ↗
US National Library of Medicine: the complete FDA label this page is based on
- Clindamycin Phosphate on MedlinePlus ↗
US National Library of Medicine's patient drug information
- Search the NHS website for Clindamycin Phosphate ↗
UK National Health Service
Report a side effect or check safety alerts
- Report a side effect in the US (FDA MedWatch) ↗
- Report a side effect in the UK (Yellow Card) ↗
- FDA recalls and safety alerts ↗
Explain your own documents
Source: official FDA drug label (label updated 2026-02-19). Read the full label on DailyMed
MedicDecode explains the official label in plain words. It is not medical advice and does not replace your doctor or pharmacist. Never start, stop or change a medicine because of what you read here.