Clindamycin/Benzoyl Peroxide, Topical

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: acne treatment

Generic and brand names: clindamycin-benzoyl peroxide, topical; BenzaClin Topical Gel; DUAC

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is used on the skin to treat acne. It contains an antibiotic and a drying agent.

What should my healthcare provider know before I use this medicine?

Before using this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have:

• an allergy to any medicine
• gastrointestinal disorders such as colitis, Crohn's disease, or inflammatory bowel disease.

Females of childbearing age: Talk with your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I use it?

This medicine is for external use only. Use it only as directed by your healthcare provider, or according to the manufacturer's directions. Do not use it more often than directed. Do not put this medicine on skin that is sunburned, bruised, or has open cuts.

Before you apply the medicine, wash your skin with mild soap and warm water. Rinse and pat dry with a soft towel.

Put a thin layer of medicine on the area where you need it. Using too much medicine or using it too often can increase the risk of side effects from absorption into your body. Do not rub it in. Do not bandage or cover the area unless your healthcare provider tells you to. Wash your hands after applying this medicine.

Keep this medicine away from your eyes and mouth. If it gets in your eyes, flush them with water right away.

Do not apply or store this medicine near heat or an open flame.

If you miss one or two applications, restart the twice-daily applications and continue on the regular schedule. Do not try to make up for missed applications by using more or using it more often.

What should I watch out for?

Even though it is applied only to the skin, some of this medicine could be absorbed into the bloodstream. Once in the system, it has been known to cause severe colitis. If you develop severe and continuous diarrhea or abdominal cramps, contact your healthcare provider right away for proper treatment. Do not try to treat the diarrhea on your own.

Avoid long exposure to the sun or a sunlamp, which can cause more irritation to the skin. The use of some sunscreen products containing PABA may cause a temporary skin discoloration. Protect skin with clothing or sunscreen when outdoors. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist about this.

Talk to your healthcare provider about using cosmetics or other products on your skin while using this medicine.

Try not to get this medicine on your hair or clothing. It may bleach your hair or colored fabrics.

If the medicine causes severe irritation, contact your healthcare provider. It may take several weeks after you start using this medicine to see complete results. Contact your healthcare provider or pharmacist for advice if you are concerned or if your condition does not improve or gets worse..

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Serious: (Report these to your healthcare provider right away): Severe diarrhea, bloody diarrhea, severe stomach cramps, severe skin irritation.

Other: Dry skin, peeling skin, stinging, burning, itching, redness, sunburn.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you use this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• erythromycin (Erythrocin, EES, E-Mycin, Ery-Tab, EryPed)
• tretinoin (Accutane)
• products that may irritate the skin such as peeling or abrasive products, waxing or hair removal products, strong or abrasive soaps, products containing alcohol, astringents, products having a strong drying effect, medicated cosmetics, and other acne medicines

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

Discard any unused medicine after 2 months.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicines in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.