Clindamycin induced Cutaneous Drug Reaction – A Case Report

ABSTRACT

Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) due to antibiotics is one of the major concern. Hypersensitivity reactions with clindamycin may be immediate or delayed type, but their frequency and severity are relatively rare. We here report a case of a 32-year-old male patient with road traffic accident, who later developed osteomyelitis of occipital bone. After two weeks of therapy and debridement, the patient was on maintenance therapy receiving clindamycin 300 mg q8h, ciprofloxacin 500 mg q12 h and rifampicin 450mg fasting. After six days, he developed erythematous maculopapular rashes, initially on the trunk followed by neck and arm of both upper limbs with limitation of movement, fever, chills and night sweats. The reaction subsided after withdrawal of clindamycin and administering i.v. hydrocortisone 100mg stat followed by tablet promethazine 25mg 12hourly for 3 days. The causality assessment was done as per WHO-UMC scale and it was “probable” in this case. Although the incidence of clindamycin induced drug reaction is rare, the clinicians should be aware of such reactions before prescribing it.