Clindamycin Topical

Clindamycin Topical is a prescription medicine used to treat the symptoms of acne vulgaris.

• Clindamycin Topical is available under the following different brand names: Cleocin T, Clindagel, Clindacin P, ClindaReach, ClindaDerm, ClindaMax, Clindets, Evoclin

Adult and pediatric dosage

• Gel/lotion/solution/foam/swab
  • 1%
• Acne Vulgaris
  • Adult dosage
    • Gel/lotion/solution (Cleocin, ClindaMax): Apply a thin film to the affected area every 12 hours
    • Foam/gel (Evoclin, Clindagel): Apply a thin film to the affected area once daily
    • Swab: Use a swab to apply a thin film of clindamycin to the affected area every 12 hours; each swab should be used only once, and then discarded
  • Pediatric dosage
  • Children below 12 years: Safety and efficacy not established
  • Children above 12 years: 
    • Gel/lotion/solution (Cleocin T, ClindaMax): Apply a thin film to the affected area every 12 hours
    • Foam/gel (Evoclin, Clindagel): Apply a thin film to the affected area once daily
    • Swab: Use a swab to apply a thin film of clindamycin to the affected area every 12 hours; each swab should be used only once, and then discarded

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows: 

• See “Dosages”

Common side effects of Clindamycin Topical include:

• burning, itching, dryness, peeling or redness of treated skin, and
• oily skin.

Serious side effects of Clindamycin Topical include:

• hives,
• difficulty breathing,
• swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• severe redness, itching, or dryness of treated skin areas,
• severe stomach pain, and
• diarrhea that is watery or bloody (even if it occurs months after the last dose).

Rare side effects of Clindamycin Topical include:

• none 

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems that may occur as a result 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.

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 Topical has no noted severe interactions with any other drugs.
• Clindamycin Topical has no noted serious interactions with any other drugs.
• Clindamycin Topical has no noted moderate interactions with any other drugs.
• Clindamycin Topical has no noted minor interactions with any 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 the products you use. 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 or lincomycin or any of its components
• History of regional enteritis, ulcerative colitis, or antibiotic-associated colitis (including pseudomembranous colitis)
• Not indicated for inflammatory acne

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Clindamycin Topical?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Clindamycin Topical?”

Cautions

• Systemic absorption of clindamycin has been demonstrated following topical use; discontinue immediately if significant diarrhea occurs
• May cause irritation, especially when used with concomitant topical acne therapy, including with peeling, desquamating, or abrasive agents
• Should be used with caution in atopic individuals
• For external use only; avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes
• If applied to the chest by nursing mothers, care should be taken to avoid accidental ingestion by the infant

Pregnancy and Lactation

• In clinical trials with pregnant women, systemic administration of clindamycin during second and third trimesters has not been associated with increased frequency of congenital abnormalities; there are no adequate studies in pregnant women during the first trimester of pregnancy; clindamycin should be used during the first trimester of pregnancy only if needed
• Lactation
  • Not known whether clindamycin is excreted in human milk following therapy; however, orally and parenterally administered clindamycin has been reported to appear in breast milk; clindamycin has the potential to cause adverse effects on breastfed infant's gastrointestinal flora; if oral or intravenous clindamycin is required by a nursing mother, it is not a reason to discontinue breastfeeding, but an alternate drug may be preferred; monitor infant for possible adverse effects on the gastrointestinal flora, such as diarrhea, candidiasis (thrush, diaper rash) or rarely, blood in the stool indicating possible antibiotic-associated colitis
  • Developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother's clinical need for clindamycin and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed child from clindamycin or the underlying maternal condition