Clindamycin and Tretinoin Topical

Clindamycin and Tretinoin (topical) is a combination prescription medication used to treat severe nodular acne in adults and children who are at least 12 years old. 

• Clindamycin and Tretinoin (topical) are available under various brand names: Veltin, Ziana

Common side effects of Clindamycin and Tretinoin (topical) include:

• mild skin irritation, dryness, or peeling.
• mild skin redness; or
• itching of treated skin.

Serious side effects of Clindamycin and Tretinoin (topical) include:

• hives. 
• difficult breathing. 
• swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• severe redness, burning, stinging, or scaling of treated skin areas; or
• watery or bloody diarrhea.

Rare side effects of Clindamycin and Tretinoin (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

Gel

• 1.2 %/0.025 %

Acne Vulgaris

Adult and pediatric dosage

• Aged above 12 years: Use only a pea-sized amount of clindamycin and tretinoin topical. Apply to your entire face every night at bedtime.

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.

• Clindamycin and Tretinoin (topical) have severe interactions with no other drugs.
• Clindamycin and Tretinoin (topical) have serious interactions with at least 34 other drugs.
• Clindamycin and Tretinoin (topical) have moderate interactions with the following drugs:
  • mifepristone
  • porfimer
  • stiripentol
• Clindamycin and Tretinoin (topical) have minor interactions with the following drugs:
  • ketoconazole
  • levoketoconazole

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 clindamycin and tretinoin (topical)
• inflammation of your intestines (also called enteritis);
• Crohn's disease, 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 Clindamycin and Tretinoin (topical)?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Clindamycin and Tretinoin (topical)?”

Cautions

• You should not use this medication if you have ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, inflammation of your intestines (also called enteritis), or if you have ever had severe diarrhea caused by antibiotic medicine.
• You should not use clindamycin and tretinoin topical if you are also taking another antibiotic called erythromycin or using other skin medications that contain erythromycin.
• Avoid washing treated skin or applying other skin products for at least 1 hour after applying this medicine.
• Avoid using other medications on the areas you treat with clindamycin and tretinoin topical unless your doctor tells you to. 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.
• 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 this medicine and call your doctor. Do not use anti-diarrhea medicine unless your doctor tells you to.
• Clindamycin and tretinoin topical can make you sunburn more easily. Apply sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) every morning and throughout the day as needed. Avoid exposure to sunlight or tanning beds.
• Your skin may be more sensitive to weather extremes such as cold and wind. Protect your skin with clothing and use a moisturizing cream or lotion as needed.

Pregnancy and Lactation

• It is not known whether clindamycin and tretinoin topical will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.
• Lactation
  • It is not known whether clindamycin and tretinoin topical passes into breast milk or if they could harm a nursing baby. You should not breastfeed while using this medicine.