Comprehensive medication guide to Clindesse including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
$0–$50 copay depending on plan; covered by some commercial insurance plans (tier varies by formulary). Most Medicare Part D plans do not cover Clindesse — patients may pay full retail or use a discount card.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$187–$203 retail for brand-only Clindesse; as low as $109 with a GoodRx coupon, or as little as $25 with the Padagis patient savings program for commercially insured patients, for a single-dose applicator.
Medfinder Findability Score
65/100
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Clindesse is the brand name for clindamycin phosphate 2% vaginal cream, manufactured by Padagis. It is a prescription antibiotic FDA-approved for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis (BV) in non-pregnant women. Unlike multi-day BV treatments, Clindesse is administered as a single dose — the complete contents of one pre-filled applicator inserted intravaginally.
Bacterial vaginosis is the most common vaginal infection in women of reproductive age, occurring when the natural balance of vaginal bacteria is disrupted and anaerobic organisms overgrow. Symptoms include thin gray or white discharge, fishy odor, and vaginal irritation — though more than 50% of cases are asymptomatic.
As of 2026, no FDA-approved generic version of Clindesse exists, making it a brand-only product with a retail price of approximately $187–$203. Savings programs and discount cards can significantly reduce this cost.
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Clindesse belongs to the lincosamide class of antibiotics. Its active ingredient, clindamycin phosphate, is a prodrug that is converted to active clindamycin by enzymes in the body after absorption into vaginal tissues.
Active clindamycin works by binding preferentially to the 50S subunit of bacterial ribosomes — the cellular machinery that bacteria use to build proteins. By blocking this process (peptide chain initiation), clindamycin prevents the anaerobic bacteria responsible for BV — including Bacteroides spp., Mobiluncus spp., and Peptostreptococcus spp. — from growing and reproducing. It is primarily bacteriostatic at typical concentrations, meaning it stops bacterial replication rather than killing bacteria directly.
Because Clindesse is administered intravaginally, only approximately 5% of the dose is absorbed systemically. Peak serum concentration is reached about 20 hours after dosing. This localized delivery means systemic side effects and drug interactions are significantly less common than with oral or IV clindamycin.
2% (100 mg/5g) — vaginal cream (single-dose pre-filled applicator)
One complete applicator (5g) intravaginally as a single dose, at any time of day
Clindesse is not currently on the FDA's official Drug Shortage Database in 2026. However, it is a brand-only medication with no FDA-approved generic, manufactured by a single company (Padagis) at one facility in Israel. This means pharmacies stock it in limited quantities, and localized outages are common.
Patients are most likely to find Clindesse at large chain pharmacies — CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, Walmart — within a 10–15 mile radius. Hospital outpatient and specialty pharmacies are worth checking if chain locations are out of stock. Some pharmacies can special-order Clindesse from their wholesale distributor within 1–2 business days.
If you're having trouble locating Clindesse, medfinder calls pharmacies near you to identify which ones have Clindesse in stock and can fill your prescription today. Results are texted directly to you, saving you the time of calling multiple pharmacies yourself.
Clindesse is not a controlled substance, so there are no DEA registration requirements for prescribers. Any licensed healthcare provider with prescribing authority can prescribe it. Common prescribers include:
Obstetrician-gynecologists (OB/GYNs)
Primary care physicians (family medicine, internal medicine)
Nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs)
Certified nurse midwives (CNMs)
Urgent care providers
Telehealth is a convenient option for BV diagnosis and Clindesse prescribing. Platforms specializing in women's health (such as Wisp, Nurx, and Planned Parenthood Direct) can often assess BV symptoms and issue a prescription the same day, without requiring an in-person exam.
No. Clindesse (clindamycin phosphate vaginal cream) is not a controlled substance and has no DEA scheduling. It does not have special dispensing restrictions, prescription limitations, or refill caps associated with scheduled drugs.
Any licensed prescriber with prescribing authority can prescribe Clindesse — including OB/GYNs, primary care physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, certified nurse midwives, urgent care providers, and telehealth clinicians. There are no DEA registration requirements for prescribers or pharmacists dispensing Clindesse.
In placebo-controlled clinical trials, the following adverse reactions occurred in 2% or more of Clindesse-treated patients:
Vaginal yeast infection / fungal vaginosis (14%)
Headache (7%)
Back pain (5%)
Constipation (2%)
Urinary tract infection (2%)
Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis, urticaria, erythema multiforme) — stop use and seek emergency care
Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD) — may occur up to 2 months after use; contact provider if diarrhea develops
Latex condom/diaphragm degradation — mineral oil in Clindesse weakens latex; do not rely on latex barriers for 5 days after use
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Metronidazole vaginal gel 0.75% (MetroGel, Vandazole)
First-line CDC-recommended BV treatment. 5-day vaginal application. Generic available, significantly cheaper (~$15-40). Does not weaken condoms.
Oral metronidazole (Flagyl)
First-line CDC recommendation. 500mg twice daily for 7 days. Cheapest BV treatment ($4-15 generic). Avoid alcohol during treatment.
Clindamycin vaginal cream 2% (Cleocin/generic)
Same active ingredient as Clindesse but 3-7 day regimen. Generic widely available ($25-60). FDA-approved in pregnancy (2nd/3rd trimester).
Xaciato (clindamycin 2% vaginal gel)
Single-dose clindamycin vaginal gel. Nearest alternative to Clindesse in terms of convenience. 86% cure rate in phase 3 trials. Brand-only; cost similar to Clindesse.
Secnidazole oral granules (Solosec)
Single-dose oral alternative. Sprinkled on soft food. CDC alternative regimen. Higher cost than metronidazole. Avoid in pregnancy.
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Latex condoms and vaginal diaphragms
majorClindesse's mineral oil base weakens latex and rubber products. Do not rely on latex condoms or diaphragms for at least 5 days after treatment, or polyurethane condoms for 7 days.
Neuromuscular blocking agents (succinylcholine, rocuronium, vecuronium)
moderateClindamycin has neuromuscular blocking properties that can enhance the action of these agents. Primarily relevant for systemic (IV/oral) clindamycin; minimal risk with intravaginal Clindesse. Inform surgical/anesthesia team if used recently.
Macrolide antibiotics (erythromycin, azithromycin, clarithromycin)
moderateOverlapping ribosomal binding sites may produce antagonism, reducing efficacy of both drugs. Primarily relevant for concurrent systemic antibiotic use.
Alcohol
minorNo interaction. Unlike metronidazole, clindamycin does not cause a disulfiram-like reaction with alcohol.
Clindesse is a convenient, effective single-dose treatment for bacterial vaginosis. Its one-and-done dosing makes it one of the most patient-friendly BV options available, avoiding the 5–7 day daily application required by most alternatives. Clinical trial data demonstrate solid cure rates, and because systemic absorption is minimal, it is generally well-tolerated.
The primary challenges with Clindesse are practical rather than clinical: there is no FDA-approved generic, it has a high retail price ($187–$203), most Medicare plans don't cover it, and it can be hard to find at certain pharmacies due to limited stocking. These challenges are real but manageable — the Padagis savings program, GoodRx coupons, and widening your pharmacy search can overcome most barriers.
If you're having trouble finding Clindesse at a pharmacy near you, medfinder can identify which pharmacies in your area have it in stock and can fill your prescription — without you spending hours on hold. Enter your medication, dosage, and location, and receive results by text.
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