Key takeaways
Clindamycin is a prescription antibiotic available in both oral and topical formulations.
As a generic drug, clindamycin is available at a lower price than its brand-name counterpart, but the expense can still be substantial.
For those with prescription drug coverage through an insurance plan, clindamycin is typically covered. For those without coverage, opportunities for a discounted price are available.
Clindamycin is an antibiotic prescribed as an oral capsule for infectious diseases or in various topical forms for dermatologic conditions like acne and rosacea, and intravaginally for bacterial vaginosis. Less expensive than the brand-name version, Cleocin, generic clindamycin carries a retail price of about $106 for 30, 300 mg capsules. Considerably pricier, generic clindamycin phosphate gel has a $1,330 price tag for a 75 mL bottle of 1% gel but is still less expensive than brand-name Clindagel. The generic versions offer a degree of savings, which can be further magnified by taking advantage of additional discount options.
RELATED: What is clindamycin?
How much does clindamycin cost without insurance?
Paying $106 for 30 clindamycin 300 mg capsules provides a 7- to 10-day supply of the medication, based on three or four daily doses, depending on what it is being prescribed to treat. Sinus infections may warrant dosing three times daily, while skin infections could necessitate taking the drug four times daily. That expense breaks down to about $10 to $15 per day.
Unlike an oral regimen that is taken for a short period of time, topical clindamycin products are commonly administered for many months for their possible uses. A 75 mL bottle of clindamycin phosphate 1% gel, priced at $1,330, may last a month or longer depending on the size of the affected area of skin. If it only lasts one month, the daily expense is $40, and the annual cost is approximately $16,000.
How much an individual spends on clindamycin products will vary. The exact drug formulation, the specific pharmacy, and the dosage all make a difference. If insurance coverage is available, the out-of-pocket cost will also depend on plan details like copay structure and deductible. These factors influence the final amount one has to pay for clindamycin.
Save up to 80% on Clindamycin with SingleCare
Different pharmacies offer different prices for the same medication. SingleCare helps find the best price for you.
How much does brand-name clindamycin cost?
The prices for these generic products may seem surprising. However, compared to their brand-name counterparts, they still represent a bargain. Cleocin 300 mg capsules cost about $410 for 30, almost four times as much as the generic. Clindagel 1% gel retails for nearly $2,200 for 75 mL, over 30 percent more than the generic.
Compare clindamycin prices to related drugs |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Drug name | Price without insurance | SingleCare price | Savings options |
| Clindamycin | $106 per 30, 300 mg capsules | $9 per 30, 300 mg capsules of generic clindamycin | See latest prices |
| Cleocin
(clindamycin) |
$410 per 30, 300 mg capsules | $9 per 30, 300 mg capsules of generic clindamycin | See latest prices |
| Clindamycin phosphate 1% gel | $1,330 per 1, 75 mL bottle of 1% gel | $260 per 1, 75 mL bottle of generic clindamycin phosphate 1% gel | See latest prices |
| Clindagel
(clindamycin phosphate 1% gel) |
$2,200 per 1, 75 mL bottle of 1% gel | $260 per 1, 75 mL bottle of generic clindamycin phosphate 1% gel | See latest prices |
| Clindamycin phosphate 1% lotion | $150 per 1, 60 mL bottle of 1% lotion | $26 per 1, 60 mL bottle of generic clindamycin phosphate 1% lotion | See latest prices |
| Clindacin
(clindamycin phosphate pledgets) |
$910 per 1, 60 pledget jar | $24 per 1, 60 pledget jar of generic clindamycin phosphate | See latest prices |
| Clindesse
(clindamycin phosphate 2% vaginal cream) |
$190 per 1, 5 g tube of 2% cream | $130 per 1, 5 g tube of brand Clindesse | See latest prices |
| Augmentin | $760 per 20, 875 mg-125 mg tablets | $11 per 20, 875 mg-125 mg tablets of generic amoxicillin-clavulonate | See latest prices |
| Cephalexin | $45 per 28, 500 mg capsules | $10 per 28, 500 mg capsules of generic cephalexin | See latest prices |
| Bactrim DS | $49 per 14, 800 mg-160 mg tablets | $3 per 14, 800 mg-160 mg tablets of generic sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim double-strength | See latest prices |
| Metrogel
(metronidazole 1% gel) |
$480 per 1, 60 gram tube | $34 per 1, 60 gram tube of generic metronidazole 1% gel | See latest prices |
| Benzamycin
(benzoyl peroxide-erythromycin 5%-3% gel) |
$140 per 1, 46.6 gram jar | $44 per 1, 46.6 gram jar of generic benzoyl peroxide-erythromycin 5%-3% gel | See latest prices |
Prescription drug prices often change. These are the most accurate medication prices at the time of publishing in zip code 23666. The listed price without insurance references the price of brand-name drugs (unless otherwise specified). The listed SingleCare price references the price of generic drugs if available. Click the link under “Savings options” to see the latest drug prices.
RELATED: Clindamycin alternatives: What can I take instead of clindamycin?
Clindamycin costs by dose
Drug pricing changes are based on several variables. Geographic location and the specific pharmacy are two factors, but the strength of the medicine and the amount make a difference too. Clindamycin is available in different strengths and can be purchased in different quantities. Buying in greater quantities can be worthwhile if one is going to take it long-term. Analyzing how strength affects the drug’s expense can be an exercise that pays off as well.
Compare clindamycin prices by strength |
||
|---|---|---|
| (per 30 capsules) | ||
| Strength | SingleCare price of brand-name clindamycin | SingleCare price of generic clindamycin |
| 300 mg of clindamycin | $10 | $9 |
| 150 mg of clindamycin | $6 | $9 |
| 75 mg of clindamycin | $9 | $14 |
Is clindamycin covered by insurance?
A generic drug and useful antibiotic, clindamycin is typically covered by most health insurance plans. For instance, Aetna’s Standard Plan and Humana’s Medicare Advantage Plan both cover the drug as a preferred option in 2025. State Medicaid programs vary with drug coverage, but most cover generic antibiotics. Of course, every private insurance provider has their own plan details and nuances to be aware of. Whether dealing with a private insurance company or public insurance program, a plan’s drug formulary must be consulted to get a definitive answer, and then copay rules can be reviewed to determine the full cost of your medicine.
How to get clindamycin without insurance
Although insurance often covers clindamycin, people without insurance face an expense that is not trivial, one they may have trouble paying. The conditions that this antibiotic treats cannot be ignored, and as a result, finding a way to make it affordable is essential. Patient assistance programs, drug coupons, and savings cards through a pharmaceutical company are less available for generic drugs. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to save, including other sources of coupons and savings cards.
1. SingleCare discount card
The SingleCare discount card is free, easy to obtain, and simple to use. Show it to your pharmacist to get a lower price on clindamycin. The card can also be used for other drug discounts.
2. SingleCare clindamycin coupon
Enter your zip code on the SingleCare clindamycin price page and compare the discounted cost at each local, participating pharmacy. Over 35,000 pharmacies accept SingleCare coupons, so you will likely have a number of options. Select the coupon that best suits your needs in terms of price and location. Instead of spending $100 for a 10-day course of clindamycin 300 mg capsules, taken three times daily, the coupon could save over 90% by reducing the expense to $9.
3. Pharmacy savings
Like other retail stores, different pharmacies have different prices for the same product. The discounted price on 30, 300 mg clindamycin capsules ranges from $9 to $34, meaning the cost can triple from one pharmacy to another.
4. Volume discounts
Buying more at one time usually translates to a lower price per unit. Clindamycin phosphate 1% gel is commonly used for months to treat acne or rosacea. Instead of purchasing one 75 mL bottle for $260 with a SingleCare coupon, buying three for $750 produces a savings of $30 over the course of three months. Inquiring with the healthcare provider about writing a 90-day supply of clindamycin gel is a reasonable request.
5. Alternative medications
Another question for the healthcare professional is whether alternative antibiotics could be cheaper, equally effective, and not have more side effects. For example, generic metronidazole 1% gel could be a less expensive treatment for rosacea by being priced $230 less per container than clindamycin phosphate 1% gel, with a SingleCare discount card or coupon. Sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim 800 mg-160 mg tablets are only $3 for a 1-week supply of 14 tablets when taken twice daily, compared to the $6 cost of 21 clindamycin 300 mg capsules taken three times daily for a week. If using topical clindamycin, discussing a different topical format, such as cream rather than gel, may lead to savings.
Only your healthcare provider can determine if the alternatives can match the efficacy of clindamycin against bacterial infections. They would review your medical record for information on other health conditions and look out for any history of allergic reactions, past adverse effects, and drug interactions with other ongoing medications.
- Clindamycin drug label, NIH DailyMed (2024)
- Aetna 2025 Standard Plan formulary, Aetna (2025)
- Humana 2025 Medicare Advantage Plan formulary, Humana (2025)