Clindamycin: a review of fifteen years of experience.

Clindamycin, the 7(S)-chloro-7-deoxy derivative of lincomycin, has stood the test of time in the treatment of anaerobic infections. Clindamycin inhibits protein synthesis by acting on the 50S ribosomal subunits of bacteria. The colitis resulting from the use of clindamycin has been extensively studied and is now easily manageable. Although newer antibiotics active against anaerobes are available, clindamycin remains a reliable and well-tested antibiotic for use in anaerobic infections.