An antibiotic used in the treatment of certain serious infections. It is active against gram-positive cocci, including penicillin-resistant staphylococci (see STAPHYLOCOCCUS) and also many anaerobes (see ANAEROBE), especially Bacteroides fragilis. It is recommended for staphylococcal bone and joint infections, such as OSTEOMYELITIS and intra-abdominal sepsis, as well as ENDOCARDITIS prophylaxis. Clindamycin has only limited use because of its adverse effects.