Clindamycin price UK: real costs and how to save

Clindamycin is a common antibiotic used for skin, bone and dental infections. If your doctor has prescribed it, you’ll soon wonder how much it will cost you. Prices can swing a lot depending on whether you get the brand name, a generic version, an NHS prescription or a private one. Below we break down the typical price range and give you practical ways to keep the bill low without risking safety.

What you’ll pay for clindamycin in 2025

At the moment a 300 mg tablet of generic clindamycin costs between £0.80 and £1.30 in most community pharmacies. The brand‑name version, usually sold as Dalacin, is a bit pricier – around £1.60 to £2.00 per tablet. If you get the drug on an NHS prescription, the standard NHS charge (or exemption) applies, which often means you pay a flat prescription fee of £9.35 or nothing if you qualify for free prescriptions.

Buying a 10‑day course (usually 7‑10 tablets) from a private pharmacy can therefore run from £8 to £20, while an NHS prescription generally stays under the £9.35 fee unless you have a pre‑payment certificate that covers multiple items. Online pharmacies often list the same generic price, but you might see small discounts of 5‑10% if you order larger packs.

How to get the best price safely

First, ask your GP if a generic version is OK – it’s interchangeable for most infections and saves you money. If you’re already on an NHS repeat prescription, stick to the NHS route; the fixed fee usually beats private buying.

If you need to buy privately, make sure the pharmacy is GPhC‑registered. Look for the registration number on the site’s footer – a quick Google search can confirm it. Avoid “dark‑web” sellers; they may offer cheap pills but risk fake medication.

Compare a few reputable online pharmacies. Many list a price‑match guarantee or loyalty discounts. Buying a 28‑day supply instead of a short pack often drops the per‑tablet cost. Some UK discount codes are shared on medication forums – just verify the source.

If you have a private health insurance plan, check whether it covers antibiotics. Some policies reimburse up to a set amount per prescription, which can offset the private price entirely.

Finally, keep an eye on seasonal promotions. Pharmacies sometimes run “antibiotic month” sales where generic clindamycin drops a few pence per tablet. Sign up for newsletters from trusted UK pharmacies to get those alerts.

Bottom line: a generic clindamycin tablet is typically under £1, and the NHS route usually keeps your total spend below £10. Use a GPhC‑registered online pharmacy for convenience, compare prices, and ask for generic where possible – you’ll get the medicine you need without breaking the bank.