Dalacin C general information
What is Dalacin C used for?
Our body is home to millions of bacteria that are harmless and in fact, are helpful, such as bacteria in our gut that help with our digestion. A bacterial infection is caused by harmful or pathogenic bacteria that invade the body and go on to divide and grow. If caught in time, the infection may be taken care of by the body’s immune system, preventing a more severe infection from developing. If the harmful bacteria multiply rapidly and spread, the immune system may be overwhelmed, and the bacterial infection can cause a severe disease, which is when antibiotics are needed.
Dalacin C contains the antibiotic clindamycin that is used to treat a wide range of serious bacterial infections that affect various parts of the body. Bacteria can enter the body through inhalation, if someone who is already infected coughs or sneezes near you, through cuts on the skin, surgery, or a wound that is not healing.
Many symptoms of a bacterial infection are caused by the immune system attempting to kill off the invading pathogen. These include fever, feeling unwell and tired, headache, nausea, inflammation (redness, swelling and pain). Swollen lymph nodes in the neck, in the armpits and in the groin are further signs that the immune system is actively fighting the infection.
Bacteria can invade any part of the body resulting in a superficial infection such as on the skin or the underlying soft tissue, or an internal infection such as infection of the lungs and respiratory tract; infection of the organs, blood and bone. Dalacin C can be used to treat many of these infections, some of which can become serious. Systemic (generalised) infections like scarlet fever can start as a localised infection but then spread to other parts of the body. Most infections that Dalacin C is used for are caused by streptococci, staphylococci and pneumococci, but it is also effective against other bacteria for certain infections, and in some cases another antibiotic is needed as well.
Respiratory infections
Bacterial infections of the upper respiratory tract include pharyngitis (inflammation of the pharynx at the back of the throat), tonsillitis (infection of the tonsils, which are patches of lymph node tissue at the back of the throat), sinusitis (infection of the sinuses or nasal passages) otitis media (infection of the middle ear).
Lower respiratory tract infections include bronchitis (infection of the bronchioles or airways) pneumonia and emphysema (infections of the lungs), both of which are more common and serious in people with chronic lung conditions and cause difficulty breathing.
Scarlet fever
Scarlet fever usually begins with a throat infection generally known as “strep throat” or a skin infection like impetigo, that develops into a rash all over the body. It is very common amongst young children but in some cases can develop into rheumatic fever, which is a serious reaction to the bacteria that damage the heart and kidneys.
Skin and soft tissue infections
Cellulitis is an infection that begins when the skin is broken, and therefore, the bacteria can invade the deeper layers of the skin and underlying soft tissue, causing inflammation and swelling but also makes you feel generally unwell. It can spread rapidly and become life-threatening if not treated.
Impetigo is a superficial skin infection causing sores that usually begin with small blisters that break and weep, and these are very contagious so that the infection is easily spread.
A boil (furunculus) is an infection around a hair follicle that causes a pus-filled swelling; a large boil is called an abscess.
A wound can quickly become infected and need treatment with antibiotics like Dalacin C.
Bone, joint and dental infections
Osteomyelitis is an infection of the bone. It can take hold if a bone is exposed from an injury or during surgery, or the bacteria can travel to the bone in the blood. If the bacterial infection is in a joint, this is known as septic arthritis.
Dental infections include periodontitis, which is an infection of the gum causing inflammation, and periodontal abscess, which is a painful condition that is caused by the build-up of pus in the tissues surrounding a tooth as a result of infection.
Internal infections
Internal infections of the pelvic area include endometritis, which is inflammation of the endometrium (the inner lining of the uterus), pelvic inflammatory disease, caused by the spread of bacteria from the vagina up to the female reproductive tract. Peritonitis is an infection of the peritoneum, which is the tissue that lines the abdominal cavity.
Infections of the heart and blood
When bacteria that have infected one part of the body spreads into the bloodstream, it can cause a secondary and more serious conditions. These include septicaemia or blood poisoning that can cause sepsis, a life-threatening situation due to a reaction of the body to the toxins produced by large numbers of the invading bacteria, resulting in tissue damage and organ failure.
Endocarditis, an infection of the endocardium, or inner lining of the heart, can damage the heart muscle.
Non-bacterial infections
Dalacin C can be useful for non-bacterial diseases like malaria that is caused by a single-cell organism. Dalacin C is particularly helpful in cases that are resistant to traditional malaria treatments when used in combination with medications like quinine.
How does Dalacin C work?
Dalacin C is known as a bacteriostatic medication, which means that it stops bacteria from growing without necessarily killing the invading bacteria. Clindamycin in Dalacin C capsules 150mg binds to the bacterial ribosome. This is a structure involved in protein synthesis and the action of Clindamycin blocks the first part of bacterial protein synthesis so that the bacteria cannot make essential proteins required for survival of the bacteria, and this stops the bacteria from replicating.
Since the severe symptoms of a bacterial infection are determined by the rapid growth and spread of bacteria, blocking replication and growth, prevents the spread of infection. This relieves symptoms of a bacterial infection.
Clindamycin in Dalacin C capsules 150mg does not penetrate the blood/brain barrier so that it cannot get into the brain and therefore, is not a suitable antibiotic for treating infections of the brain like meningitis.
Dalacin C should not be used for viral infection as viruses use a different mechanism to grow and replicate.
What does Dalacin C contain?
Dalacin C capsules contain the active ingredient clindamycin, an antibiotic that is used to treat a wide range of serious bacterial infections that affect various parts of the body. They also contain lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, starch maize, purified talc, titanium dioxide, gelatin with traces of edible black ink.
What are the side effects of Dalacin C?
Most medications have some side effects, but they are not experienced by everyone. Some side effects are commonly experienced when taking Dalacin C, but others are not so common, and you should discuss any problems or concerns with your primary care physician.
Common side effects when taking Dalacin C include abdominal pain, oesophagitis (inflammation of the oesophagus or food pipe), ulcers in the oesophagus, heartburn, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea, skin rash, hives (urticaria), Inflammation of the vagina (vaginitis).
A more serious side effect is colitis (inflammation of the colon) with symptoms including severe diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, passage of blood and mucous and fever. This is usually caused by the antibiotic effect of clindamycin in the intestines, which allows overgrowth of the toxin-producing bacterium clostridium.
When should Dalacin C not be used?
Have a talk with your primary healthcare physician before taking Dalacin C so that you have a full understanding of what this medicine is for and how to use it. There are some reasons for not taking a medication; these are called contraindications, and for Dalacin C you should consider the following before taking Dalacin C:
- Have you ever had an unusual reaction or an allergy when taking Dalacin C?
- Are you pregnant or breastfeeding?
- Do you have any problems with your kidneys or your liver?
- Do you have a history of gastrointestinal disease, particularly colitis
- Do you have asthma, eczema, hayfever or other allergies, which is usually an indication that you are atopic (a genetic tendency for allergic reactions)?
What medications interact with Dalacin C?
Some medicines interact with Dalacin C and may affect the way it works, or are affected by Dalacin C or increase side effects; you should discuss possible interactions with your primary care physician. These may include the antibiotic erythromycin; neuromuscular blockers, estrogen-based contraceptives, anticholinesterases like neostigmine and pyridostigmine for myasthenia gravis.
If other medications may interact with Dalacin C, your doctor will discuss these with you.
How should Dalacin C be taken and for how long?
You should take your Dalacin C capsules 150mg swallowed whole with a glass of water, with or without food. The dose you take and how often depends on your condition and your doctor’s recommendation, usually every 6 hours, and for up to 10-14 days depending on the severity of your infection. You should complete the course of Dalacin C capsules 150mg or your infection may return.
Missed dose of Dalacin C
If you miss a dose of Dalacin C take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose.
How should Dalacin C be stored?
You should store your Dalacin C below 25°C in a cool dry place.