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Can Clindamycin Be Taken For Severe Cough?

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Posted on Mon, 28 Dec 2015
Question: The attached photo shows what I've been coughing up today. I woke up several times, coughing last night. The cough started over a week ago.

I've been taking antibiotics for a tooth infection, the last four days. (Clindamycin 150 mg)

Should the antibiotic be helping my cough?
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Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (37 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
clindamycin not used for respiratory tract infection

Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic

There are different types of antibiotic for varying infection, clindamycin is not normally used to help respiratory tract infections because it does not work with the bacteria that cause these infections.

Coughing can be due to viral or bacterial infection, post nasal drip.

In many cases it is viral rather than bacterial so antibiotics may not help at all since they treat only bacterial infection.

Using a decongestant, anti histamine, cough suppressant combination medication may help.

The decongestant would reduce any secretions that may be going to the back of the throat stimulating a cough.
The antihistamine would also decrease secretions and the cough suppressant would reduce the cough

These would be available over the counter

I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Michelle Gibson James

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 16808 Questions

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Can Clindamycin Be Taken For Severe Cough?

Brief Answer: clindamycin not used for respiratory tract infection Detailed Answer: HI, thanks for using healthcare magic There are different types of antibiotic for varying infection, clindamycin is not normally used to help respiratory tract infections because it does not work with the bacteria that cause these infections. Coughing can be due to viral or bacterial infection, post nasal drip. In many cases it is viral rather than bacterial so antibiotics may not help at all since they treat only bacterial infection. Using a decongestant, anti histamine, cough suppressant combination medication may help. The decongestant would reduce any secretions that may be going to the back of the throat stimulating a cough. The antihistamine would also decrease secretions and the cough suppressant would reduce the cough These would be available over the counter I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions