What is clindamycin and tretinoin (topical)?
Clindamycin is an antibiotic. It fights bacteria in the body.
Tretinoin is a form of vitamin A. It reduces the amount of oil released by oil glands in
your skin, and helps your skin renew itself more quickly.
The combination of clindamycin and tretinoin is used to treat severe nodular acne in
adults and children who are at least 12 years old.
Clindamycin and tretinoin topical may also be used for purposes other than those listed in
this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking clindamycin and tretinoin (topical)?
Although this medicine is applied to the skin, your body may absorb enough clindamycin
to cause serious side effects.
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to clindamycin (Cleocin, Clina-Derm,
Clindets), or tretinoin (Renova, Retin-A, Tretin-X), or if you have:
Before using clindamycin and tretinoin topical, tell your doctor if you
are allergic to any drugs, or if you have a history of stomach or intestinal disorders. You may not
be able to use the medication, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during
treatment.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell
your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
How should I take clindamycin and tretinoin (topical)?
Use clindamycin and tretinoin topical exactly as your doctor has prescribed it for you.
Using more medicine or applying it more often than prescribed will not make it work any faster,
and may increase side effects. Do not use this medication for longer than your doctor has
prescribed.
Wash your hands before and after applying this medication.
Wash your face with a mild soap or cleanser and pat the skin dry with a clean towel.
Use only a pea-sized amount of clindamycin and tretinoin topical. Apply to your entire
face every night at bedtime.
Do not wash your face more than 3 times daily while using this medication. Washing
more often or scrubbing your face when you wash it can make your acne worse.
Avoid getting this medication 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 with water. Do not apply this
medicine to sunburned, windburned, dry, chapped, irritated, or broken skin.
Use this medication for as many days as it has been prescribed for you even if you
think it is not working. Call your doctor if skin irritation becomes severe or if your acne does not
improve after several weeks of using this medicine.
Store tretinoin topical at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose of clindamycin and tretinoin (topical)?
Use the medication as soon as you remember the missed dose. If it is almost time for
your next dose, skip the missed dose and use the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time.
Do not
use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about clindamycin and tretinoin (topical)?
Your pharmacist has information about clindamycin and tretinoin (topical) written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of clindamycin and tretinoin (topical)?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious
side effects:
-
severe redness, burning, stinging, or peeling of treat skin areas; or
-
diarrhea that is watery or bloody.
Continue using this medicine and talk with your doctor if you have any
of these less serious side effects:
-
mild itching, stinging, or dryness of treated skin;
-
temporary lightening or darkening of treated skin; or
-
stuffy nose, sore throat, cough.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your
doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about clindamycin and tretinoin (topical)?
Avoid getting this medication 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 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, or
skin cleansers, hair coloring or permanent chemicals, hair removers or waxes, or skin products
with alcohol, spices, astringents, or lime. Do not use other medicated skin products unless your
doctor has told you to.
Although this medicine is applied to the skin, your body may absorb enough clindamycin
to cause serious side effects.
Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you
have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop
the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.
Avoid exposure to sunlight or artificial UV rays (sunlamps or tanning beds).
Clindamycin and tretinoin topical can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and sunburn
may result. Use a sunscreen (minimum SPF 15) and wear protective clothing if you must be out
in the sun.
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.
What should I avoid while taking clindamycin and tretinoin (topical)?
Do not wash the treated area for at least 1 hour after applying tretinoin topical. Avoid
the use of other skin products on the treated area for at least 1 hour following application of
tretinoin topical.
Avoid using skin products that can cause irritation, such as harsh soaps, shampoos, or
skin cleansers, hair coloring or permanent chemicals, hair removers or waxes, or skin products
with alcohol, spices, astringents, or lime. Do not use other medicated skin products unless your
doctor has told you to.
Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you
have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop
the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.
Avoid exposure to sunlight or artificial UV rays (sunlamps or tanning beds).
Clindamycin and tretinoin topical can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and sunburn
may result. Use a sunscreen (minimum SPF 15) and wear protective clothing if you must be out
in the sun.
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.
What other drugs will affect clindamycin and tretinoin (topical)?
Before using clindamycin and tretinoin topical, tell your doctor if you are using any of the
following drugs:
-
erythromycin topical (Akne-Mycin, Emcin Clear, Eryderm, Erygel,
Erythra-Derm, Ery-Sol, and others); or
-
erythromycin taken by mouth (E.E.S., E-Mycin, Ery-Tab,
E-Mycin, Robimycin, and others).
If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use
clindamycin and tretinoin topical, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during
treatment.
There may be other drugs not listed that can affect clindamycin and tretinoin topical. Tell
your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes
vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a
new medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of clindamycin and tretinoin (topical)?