Description Return to top
Clindamycin ( klin-da-MYE-sin) belongs to the family of medicines called antibiotics. Topical clindamycin is used to help control acne. It may be used alone or with one or more other medicines that are used on the skin or taken by mouth for acne. Topical clindamycin may also be used for other problems as determined by your doctor.
Clindamycin is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage forms:
Topical
Foam (U.S.)
Gel (U.S.)
Solution (U.S. and Canada)
Suspension (U.S.)
Before Using This Medicine Return to top
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of using the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For topical clindamycin, the following should be considered:
Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any of the other clindamycins (by mouth or by injection) or to lincomycin. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as preservatives or dyes.
Pregnancy—Clindamycin has not been studied in pregnant women. However, this medicine has not been shown to cause birth defects or other problems in animal studies.
Breast-feeding—Small amounts of topical clindamycin are absorbed through the skin. It is possible that small amounts of the medicine may pass into the breast milk. However, this medicine has not been reported to cause problems in nursing babies.
Children—Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of this medicine in children up to 12 years of age with use in other age groups.
Older adults—Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults.
Although there is no specific information comparing use of this medicine in the elderly with use in other age groups, this medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.
Other medicines—Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care professional if you are using any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.
Other medical problems—The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of topical clindamycin. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
History of stomach or intestinal disease (especially colitis, including colitis caused by antibiotics, or enteritis)—These conditions may increase the chance of side effects that affect the stomach and intestines
Proper Use of This Medicine Return to top
Before applying this medicine, thoroughly wash the affected areas with warm water and soap, rinse well, and pat dry.
When applying the medicine, use enough to cover the affected area lightly. You should apply the medicine to the whole area usually affected by acne, not just to the pimples themselves. This will help keep new pimples from breaking out.
You should avoid washing the acne-affected areas too often. This may dry your skin and make your acne worse. Washing with a mild, bland soap 2 or 3 times a day should be enough, unless you have oily skin. If you have any questions about this, check with your doctor.
Topical clindamycin will not cure your acne. However, to help keep your acne under control, keep using this medicine for the full time of treatment, even if your symptoms begin to clear up after a few days. You may have to continue using this medicine every day for months or even longer in some cases. If you stop using this medicine too soon, your symptoms may return. It is important that you do not miss any doses.
For patients using the topical foam form of clindamycin:
After washing or shaving, it is best to wait 30 minutes before applying this medicine. The alcohol in it may irritate freshly washed or shaved skin.
This medicine contains alcohol and is flammable. Do not use near heat, near open flame, or while smoking.
To apply this medicine:
Do not dispense clindamycin topical foam directly onto your hands because the foam will begin to melt on contact with warm skin.
Remove the clear cap. Align the black mark with the nozzle of the actuator.
Hold the can upright and press firmly to dispense. Dispense amount that will cover the affected area(s) directly into the cap or onto a cool surface.
The can may be placed under cold running water if the can seems warm or the foam seems runny.
A small amount of topical foam should be picked up with your fingertips and massaged gently into the affected areas until the foam disappears.
Unused medicine that was removed from the can should be throw away.
Since this medicine contains alcohol, it will sting or burn. In addition, it has an unpleasant taste if it gets on the mouth or lips. Therefore, do not get this medicine in the eyes, nose, or mouth, or on other mucous membranes.
Spread the medicine away from these areas when applying. If this medicine does get in the eyes, wash them out immediately, but carefully, with large amounts of cool tap water. If your eyes still burn or are painful, check with your doctor.
It is important that you do not use this medicine more often than your doctor ordered. It may cause your skin to become too dry or irritated.
For patients using the topical solution form of clindamycin:
After washing or shaving, it is best to wait 30 minutes before applying this medicine. The alcohol in it may irritate freshly washed or shaved skin.
This medicine contains alcohol and is flammable. Do not use near heat, near open flame, or while smoking.
To apply this medicine:
This medicine comes in a bottle with an applicator tip, which may be used to apply the medicine directly to the skin.
Use the applicator with a dabbing motion instead of a rolling motion (not like a roll-on deodorant, for example).
Tilt the bottle and press the tip firmly against your skin. If needed, you can make the medicine flow faster from the applicator tip by slightly increasing the pressure against the skin. If the medicine flows too fast, use less pressure. If the applicator tip becomes dry, turn the bottle upside down and press the tip several times to moisten it.
Since this medicine contains alcohol, it will sting or burn.
In addition, it has an unpleasant taste if it gets on the mouth or lips. Therefore, do not get this medicine in the eyes, nose, or mouth, or on other mucous membranes. Spread the medicine away from these areas when applying. If this medicine does get in the eyes, wash them out immediately, but carefully, with large amounts of cool tap water. If your eyes still burn or are painful, check with your doctor.
It is important that you do not use this medicine more often than your doctor ordered. It may cause your skin to become too dry or irritated.
For patients using the topical suspension form of clindamycin:
Shake well before applying.
Dosing—
The dose of topical clindamycin will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of topical clindamycin. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The number of doses you use each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you use the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using clindamycin.
For topical dosage form (foam):
For acne:
Adults and children 12 years of age and over—Apply once a day to areas affected by acne.
Infants and children up to 12 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
For topical dosage forms (gel, solution, and suspension):
For acne:
Adults and children 12 years of age and over—Apply two times a day to areas affected by acne.
Infants and children up to 12 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
Missed dose—
If you miss a dose of this medicine, apply it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.
Storage—
To store this medicine:
Keep out of the reach of children.
Store away from heat and direct light.
Keep the medicine from freezing.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.
Precautions While Using This Medicine Return to top
If your acne does not improve within about 6 weeks, or if it becomes worse, check with your health care professional. However, treatment of acne may take up to 8 to 12 weeks before full improvement is seen.
If your doctor has ordered another medicine to be applied to the skin along with this medicine, it is best to apply them at different times. This may help keep your skin from becoming too irritated. Also, if the medicines are used at or near the same time, they may not work properly.
For patients using the topical solution form of clindamycin:
This medicine may cause the skin to become unusually dry, even with normal use. If this occurs, check with your doctor.
In some patients, clindamycin may cause diarrhea.
Severe diarrhea may be a sign of a serious side effect. Do not take any diarrhea medicine without first checking with your doctor . Diarrhea medicines may make your diarrhea worse or make it last longer.
For mild diarrhea, only diarrhea medicine containing attapulgite (e.g., Kaopectate, Diasorb) may be taken. Other kinds of diarrhea medicine (e.g., Imodium A.D. or Lomotil) should not be taken. They may make your condition worse or make it last longer.
If you have any questions about this or if mild diarrhea continues or gets worse, check with your health care professional.
You may continue to use cosmetics (make-up) while you are using this medicine for acne.
However, it is best to use only “water-base” cosmetics. Also, it is best not to use cosmetics too heavily or too often. They may make your acne worse. If you have any questions about this, check with your doctor.
Side Effects of This Medicine Return to top
Side Effects of This Medicine
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Rare
Abdominal or stomach cramps, pain, and bloating (severe); diarrhea (watery and severe), which may also be bloody; fever; increased thirst; nausea or vomiting; unusual tiredness or weakness; weight loss (unusual)—these side effects may also occur up to several weeks after you stop using this medicine
Also, check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
Less common
Skin rash, itching, redness, swelling, or other sign of irritation not present before use of this medicine
Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:
More common
Dryness, scaliness, or peeling of skin (for the topical solution)
Less common
Abdominal pain; diarrhea (mild); headache; irritation or oiliness of skin; stinging or burning feeling of skin
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.
Brand Names Return to top
In the U.S.—
Cleocin T Gel
Cleocin T Lotion
Cleocin T Topical Solution
Clinda-Derm
Evoclin Topical Foam
In Canada—
Dalacin T Topical Solution
Medline Plus
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