FYI,
In rare cases, clindamycin can cause a dangerous arrhythmia (Torsades
de Pointes) in some susceptible patients.

Dentists may not be aware but ~1:5000 people have Long QT syndrome.
This is a genetic defect that often goes undiagnosed in families until
a sudden cardiac death or several sudden cardiac deaths have occurred
within the family tree.

For these patients, Torsades des Pointes (a dangerous VT) can be
precipiated by some medications such as clindamycin.

Here is one reference:

Ventricular fibrillation due to long QT syndrome probably caused by
clindamycin - concordance with quinidine and underlying cellular
electrophysiologic mechanisms
Authors: Gabel A.1; Schymik G.; Mehmel H.C.

Source: The American Journal of Cardiology, Volume 83, Number 5, 1
March 1999, pp. 813-815(3)

Publisher: Elsevier Science

FYI-

Prevalence of Long QT Syndrome (a genetic defect) is about 1:5000.
Often goes undiagnosed until one or several sudden cardiac deaths have
occured within a family.

Best of care,

Cardiocare, nondentist

Am J Cardiol. 1999 Mar 1;83(5):813-5, A11. Related Articles, Links

Ventricular fibrillation due to long QT syndrome probably caused by
clindamycin.

Gabel A, Schymik G, Mehmel HC.

II. Medizinische Klinik im Stadtischen Klinikum, Karlsruhe, Germany.
medilekt@aol.com

Prolongation of QT time interval may be provoked by a limited number of
drugs, especially macrolide antibiotics. We describe a case of QT time
interval prolongation induced by clindamycin with subsequent repeated
ventricular fibrillation and resuscitation; there is no previous report
in the literature of QT time prolongation caused by lincosamides.

Seeing as how I don't have letters behind my name, I don't prescribe.
However, as a patient, I've been written amoxicillin, and trimox.

What's the most common antibiotic that you prescribe for treatment/pathology
(excluding prophylaxis)?

raph schreef:

Amoxicilline. If it is something nasty with  lots of resistent bacteria:
Amoxiclav.