Rifampicin and Clindamycin

| 7 min read

The combination of rifampicin and clindamycin can be effective in conditions such as hidradenitis and scalp folliculitis by reducing inflammation and preventing infections from occurring. It is not licensed for this condition but is frequently used by dermatologists in the UK.

• Common side effects include, stomach upset, unpleasant taste, skin dryness, reddish discoloration of bodily fluids, headache, flushing.
• Rarer side effects include hepatitis (inflammation of the liver), colitis (severe inflammation of the colon which can cause abdominal pain and bloody diarrhoea) and severe skin reactions.

You should immediately stop taking both medicines and inform a doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms: diarrhoea, wheeziness, difficulty in breathing, swelling of eyelids, face or lips, fever, yellowing of the skin or eyes, blistering or skin rash, flu-like symptoms, bleeding or easy bruising.

It is essential that blood tests including liver function tests are performed prior to starting treatment and after one month of treatment. If you are unable to attend for these blood results then it is not safe to continue treatment. If you do not receive the results of the blood tests within 1 week of attending you should contact my practice management team to chase the results.

There are many other side effects that can occur and it is essential to read the information leaflets that comes within the packaging of both medicines and contains a full list of all recognised side effects.