Clindamycin Treatment For Mild to Moderate Acne

What is topical clindamycin?

Topical clindamycin is used to treat mild to moderate inflammatory acne for the U.S. It is especially effective when used together with benzoyl peroxide. One brand name for clindamycin is Cleocin®.

So, many U.S. patients benefit by using topical clindamycin generic Cleocin® 1% solution to treat mild to moderate inflammatory acne. Of course, everyone’s result will differ. Clindamycin may not be able to help some people, especially those with more severe forms of acne. Some alternatives to topical clindamycin include: using benzoyl peroxide by itself, or using topical tretinoin cream by itself.

Brand names for topical clindamycin in the U.S. include: Cleocin® T, Clindacin® ETZ, Clindacin® P, Clindagel®, and Evoclin®.

Who cannot use topical clindamycin?

1. Pople who are allergic to clindamycin or lincomycin
2. People with a history of regional enteritis (inflammation of the small intestines), ulcerative colitis (inflammation and ulceration of the large intestines), or antibiotic-associated colitis (large intestine inflammation caused by antibiotics)
3. Children less than 12 years old
4. Pregnant women or nursing women

Warnings and precautions with clindamycin

Topical clindacin can cause diarrhea, bloody diarrhea, and colitis, which is inflammation of the large intestine. Severe colitis can be life-threatening and may occur weeks after stopping the medication. Medications that slow down or stop the normal movement of the intestines, such as opiates and diphenoxylate with atropine, can make severe colitis last longer or become worse. If significant diarrhea occurs, topical clindacin treatment should be stopped. If you experience severe diarrhea, bloody diarrhea, or severe pain in your intestines, please seek in-person medical help.

Research suggests that a toxin made by Clostridia bacteria is a main reason for colitis caused by antibiotics. Colitis can cause very bad and long-lasting diarrhea and strong stomach cramps, and sometimes there may be blood and mucus in the bowel movements.

Topical clindacin can also cause skin irritation, especially if used with other acne medications such as benzoyl peroxide. If irritation or skin rash occurs, topical clindacin should be discontinued.

It’s essential to avoid getting topical clindacin in the eyes, mouth, lips, other mucous membrane, or on broken skin. If this happens, use plenty of water to rinse off topical clindamycin.

People with eczema or atopic dermatitis should use topical clindacin carefully because it can make eczema worse. If this happens, topical clindacin should be discontinued.

Use of topical clindamycin may give rise to overgrowth of nonsusceptible bacteria or fungi in the body.

Possible side effects with clindamycin

1. Pain and redness where the medication was applied
2. Diarrhea and abdominal pain or discomfort
3. Urticaria, rash, or itchy or bumpy skin reaction
4. Allergic reaction
5. Nausea and dizziness
6. Oily skin and sensitive skin
7. Colitis (large intestine inflammation) and bloody diarrhea

Do not use topical clindamycin with:

1. Erythromycin
2. Neuromuscular blocking agents such as vecuronium, pancuronium, Nimbex® (cisatracurium), mivacurium, and atracurium.

The following topical drugs may increase skin irritation when used with clindamycin:

1. Topical alcohol
2. Salicylic acid
3. Medicated Soap
4. Sulfur
5. Tretinoin (Altreno®, Atralin®, Avita®, Refissa®, Rejuva®, Renova®, Retin-A®, Stieva® and Tretin-X®)