clindamycin causing persistant diarrhea

I was taking clindamycin 300mg cap every 8 hrs for 7 days for recurring staph boils I had. I finished my course and had diarrhea all week on the med. I thought the diarrhea was normal because it was an antibiotic, but now I still have diarrhea after a week. I feel like it won't go away. The diarrhea is not bloody or mucous like, and I feel no abdominal pain. I'm taking acidophilus and eating plain yogurt. Any suggestions?

[Ratnakar Kini, MD]

Hi,
It could be due to C.diff infection.
Take a course of metronidazole ( for about 10-14 days).
Improvement may be seen in 2-4 days of starting the treatment.  If no improvement is seen stool test may have to be done for confirmation of diagnosis and an alternative medication like vancomycin has to be taken.