Clindamycin typically starts working quickly after administration. When taken orally, it reaches peak blood concentration within about 1 hour, and therapeutic levels are generally achieved within 45 minutes

. For intravenous use, clindamycin begins to work within 1 hour after infusion

. In terms of symptom relief:

• For tooth infections, patients often start to feel relief within 1 to 3 days, though full recovery may take several days

• For skin and soft tissue infections, improvement is usually noticeable within about 5 days, with signs including less swelling, pain, and redness

• For bacterial vaginosis, symptom relief can occur within a few days of treatment

• For acne, visible results may take several weeks, often up to 8 to 12 weeks with consistent use of topical clindamycin

Overall, clindamycin's onset of action is rapid, but the time to noticeable improvement depends on the infection type and severity. It is important to complete the prescribed course even if symptoms improve early to ensure full eradication of the infection