Benzoyl peroxide and Clindamycin topical

Benzoyl peroxide and Clindamycin topical are combination prescription medications used to treat acne. 

• Benzoyl peroxide and Clindamycin topical are available under various brand names: Acanya, BenzaClin, BenzaClin with pump, Duac, Duac Care System, Neuac, Onexton, Z-Clinz 10, Z-Clinz 5

Common side effects of Benzoyl peroxide and Clindamycin topical include:

• mild burning or stinging.
• itching or tingly feeling.
• dryness or peeling of treated skin; or
• redness or other irritation.

Serious side effects of Benzoyl peroxide and Clindamycin topical include:

• hives,
• itching.
• difficult breathing, 
• feeling light-headed. 
• swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• severe redness, 
• burning, 
• stinging, or peeling of treated skin areas; or
• watery or bloody diarrhea.

Rare side effects of Benzoyl peroxide and Clindamycin topical include:

• none

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

• Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors.
• Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights.
• Serious heart symptoms such as fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in the chest; shortness of breath; sudden dizziness, lightheartedness, or passing out.

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems that may occur because of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

 Adult and pediatric dosage

Topical gel

• 1%/5% (BenzaClin)
• 1.2%/2.5% (Acanya)
• 1.2%/3.75% (Onexton)
• 1.2%/5% (Duac)

Acne vulgaris

Adult and pediatric dosage

• Topical:
  • Apply a very small amount of the medicine to 1 or 2 small acne areas every day for 3 days in a row. If there is no reaction, begin using the full prescribed amount on the 4th day.

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows: 

• See “Dosages”

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first

• Benzoyl peroxide and Clindamycin topical have severe interactions with no other drugs.
• Benzoyl peroxide and Clindamycin topical have serious interactions with no other drugs.
• Benzoyl peroxide and Clindamycin topical have moderate interactions with the following drug:
  • dapsone topical
• Benzoyl peroxide and Clindamycin topical have minor interactions with no other drugs.

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker for any drug interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all your products. Keep a list of all your medications with you and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your health care professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions or concerns.

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to benzoyl peroxide or clindamycin
• inflammation of your intestines (also called enteritis);
• ulcerative colitis; or
• if you have ever had severe diarrhea caused by antibiotic medicine. 

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Benzoyl peroxide and Clindamycin topical?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Benzoyl peroxide and Clindamycin topical?”

Cautions

• This medicine can cause a rare but serious allergic reaction or severe skin irritation. Stop using this medicine and get emergency medical help if you have: hives, itching; difficulty breathing, feeling light-headed; or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Although this medicine is applied to the skin, your body may absorb enough clindamycin to cause serious side effects.
• Avoid getting this medicine in your eyes, mouth, or nose (or in the creases of your nose), or on your lips. If it does get into any of these areas, wash it with water. Do not apply this medicine to sunburned, windburned, dry, chapped, irritated, or broken skin.
• Avoid using skin products that can cause irritation, such as harsh soaps, shampoos, skin cleansers, hair coloring or permanent chemicals, hair removers or waxes, or skin products with alcohol, spices, astringents, or lime.
• Avoid using other medications on the areas you treat with benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin topical unless your doctor tells you to.
• Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, stop using benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin topical and call your doctor. Do not use anti-diarrhea medicine unless your doctor tells you to.
• Avoid exposure to sunlight or tanning beds. This medication can make you sunburn more easily. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors.
• Avoid using sunscreen containing PABA on the same skin treated with benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin topical, or skin discoloration may occur.
• Benzoyl peroxide can bleach hair or fabrics. Do not let this medicine come into contact with clothing, hair, colored towels, or bed linens.

Pregnancy and Lactation

• It is not known whether benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin topical will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medicine.

Lactation

• It is not known whether benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin topical pass into breast milk or if they could harm a nursing baby. You should not breastfeed while using this medicine.