What is the mechanism of action of Clindamycin?

• A. Alters cell wall metabolism
• B. Inhibits intracellular synthesis of DNA
• C. Inhibits RNA transcription
• D. Inhibits bacterial protein synthesis

Answer: (D)

Clindamycin works by targeting the ribosome to stop making proteins. It binds to the 50S subunit of the bacterial ribosome and blocks the elongation of the peptide chain (translocation/peptidyl transferase steps), so bacteria can’t synthesize proteins properly. That’s why its action is described as inhibition of bacterial protein synthesis. This sets it apart from drugs that disrupt cell walls, DNA, or RNA processes. Clindamycin is generally bacteriostatic and is particularly active against anaerobes and many Gram-positive cocci, but it carries a risk of C. difficile infection.