💊 Clindamycin (Clindamycin Phosphate And Benzoyl Peroxide)
A topical gel combining clindamycin phosphate (a lincosamide antibacterial) and benzoyl peroxide, indicated for acne vulgaris in patients 12 years or older. It is applied to the face once daily after washing and drying the skin; your doctor or pharmacist determines how it should be used for you.
In Arabic: كليندامايسين (فوسفات الكليندامايسين مع بيروكسيد البنزويل)
✅ What it is used for
- Topical treatment of acne vulgaris in patients 12 years or older
🧪 Active ingredient
Clindamycin phosphate: a lincosamide antibacterial that binds the 50S ribosomal subunit of susceptible bacteria and prevents peptide chain elongation, suppressing bacterial protein synthesis. Benzoyl peroxide: an oxidizing agent with bactericidal and keratolytic effects; its precise mechanism is unknown.
🌿 Benefits
- Combines an antibiotic and an antibacterial/keratolytic agent in one product for acne
- Applied once daily
📝 How to use
- Your doctor or pharmacist sets the dose and how to use it for you; do not change it without consulting them.
- Before applying, wash your face gently with a mild soap, rinse with warm water, and pat your skin dry.
- Per the label: apply a pea-sized amount of gel to the face once daily.
- Avoid the eyes, mouth, mucous membranes, and areas of broken skin.
- Not for oral, ophthalmic, or intravaginal use.
- Use beyond 12 weeks has not been evaluated.
- Use other topical acne therapy with caution, especially peeling, desquamating, or abrasive agents, because irritation may add up.
💊 Dosage forms
- Gel, 1.2% clindamycin phosphate / 2.5% benzoyl peroxide
- Each gram contains 10 mg (1%) clindamycin as phosphate and 25 mg (2.5%) benzoyl peroxide
- Supplied in a 50 gram pump
⚠️ Common side effects
- Application site pain
- Application site exfoliation
- Application site irritation
- Redness, scaling, itching, burning, and stinging (local skin reactions that typically peak around Week 4 and then decrease)
🚨 Serious — seek medical help
- Diarrhea, bloody diarrhea, or colitis (including pseudomembranous colitis); stop the medicine and contact your doctor if significant diarrhea occurs
- Severe persistent abdominal cramps, possibly with blood and mucus in the stool
- Anaphylaxis and allergic reactions leading to hospitalization, reported after marketing
⛔ Do not use if
- Hypersensitivity (e.g., anaphylaxis) to clindamycin, benzoyl peroxide, any component of the formulation, or lincomycin
- History of regional enteritis, ulcerative colitis, or antibiotic-associated colitis
❗ Warnings & precautions
- Discontinue if significant diarrhea occurs; severe colitis has occurred with clindamycin, may result in death, and may begin up to several weeks after stopping therapy.
- Minimize sun exposure, including tanning beds and sun lamps, after application.
- If irritation or dermatitis occurs, reduce frequency of application or temporarily interrupt treatment; discontinue if irritation persists.
- Antiperistaltic agents such as opiates and diphenoxylate with atropine may prolong and/or worsen severe colitis.
- Systemic absorption of clindamycin has been demonstrated after topical use.
🔄 Drug interactions
- Erythromycin (topical or oral): avoid combined use; in vitro antagonism between erythromycin and clindamycin has been shown, with unknown clinical significance.
- Neuromuscular blocking agents: clindamycin has neuromuscular blocking properties that may enhance their action; use with caution.
- Other topical acne therapies, especially peeling, desquamating, or abrasive agents: possible cumulative irritancy.
🤰 Pregnancy
There are no available data on use of this gel in pregnant women to evaluate the risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse outcomes. Limited published first-trimester data on clindamycin are insufficient to inform risk; systemic clindamycin in the second and third trimesters was not associated with increased major birth defects in limited trials. Clindamycin did not cause malformations in pregnant rats and mice. Consult your doctor before use.
🍼 Breastfeeding
Information on breastfeeding is not included in the provided label text; consult your doctor or pharmacist.
🧒 Children
Safety and effectiveness have not been evaluated in patients under 12 years of age. The gel is indicated for patients 12 years or older.
👴 Older adults
Clinical trials did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and older to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects.
🌡️ Storage
Patient: store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F); protect from freezing. Store the pump upright and keep the container tightly closed. Keep out of the reach of children. (Pharmacist: store in a refrigerator at 2° to 8°C before dispensing.)
⏰ Missed dose
Missed-dose instructions are not included in the provided label text; ask your doctor or pharmacist.
🆘 Overdose
Overdose information is not included in the provided label text. The product is not for oral use; if swallowed, or if concerning symptoms such as severe diarrhea occur, contact a doctor or poison control center immediately.
💰 Price & brands in your area
🏛️ Official price in Palestine — Ministry of Health price list:
| Product | Company | Pack | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| DENACINE 300 CAPS Clindamycin (HCl) 300 mg/cap. | Beit Jala | 16 CAP | 20 ₪ |
| CLINDEX TOPICAL SOLUTION 30 ML Clindamycin 1% | Pharmacare Company | ONE BOTTLE OF 30 ML / BOX | 28 ₪ |
| CLINDEX GEL 30 GM Clindamycin 1% | Pharmacare Company | ONE TUBE OF 30 G / BOX | 30 ₪ |
| DENACIN SOLUTION Clindamycin ( phosphate) 1% | Beit Jala | 30 ml | 31 ₪ |
| DENACINE EMULGEL Clindamycin ( phosphate) 1% | Beit Jala | 30 g | 31 ₪ |
| Denacine Vaginal Ovules clindamycin (as phosphate) 100mg/ovule | Beit Jala | 3 ovules | 45 ₪ |
| CLINDEX VAGINAL CREAM 40 GM Clindamycin and 10 mg Benzyl Alcohol as preservative.2% | Pharmacare Company | ONE TUBE OF 40 G / BOX | 50 ₪ |
| CLINDACIN 150MG/ML 4ML AMP Clindamycin | BPC | 5 AMP | 96 ₪ |
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Mechanism of action
Clindamycin is a lincosamide that binds the 50S ribosomal subunit and inhibits bacterial protein synthesis by interfering with peptidyl transfer. Benzoyl peroxide is an oxidizing agent with bactericidal and keratolytic effects; its precise mechanism is unknown. Both have in vitro activity against Propionibacterium acnes, of unknown clinical significance; P. acnes resistance to clindamycin is documented and often accompanies erythromycin resistance. Systemic clindamycin absorption is low (Day 30 mean Cmax 1.22 ± 0.88 ng/mL).
Labeled dosing
Per the label (patients 12 years or older): apply a pea-sized amount of the 1.2%/2.5% gel to the face once daily after washing and drying the skin. Use beyond 12 weeks has not been evaluated. Not for oral, ophthalmic, or intravaginal use. The prescriber determines the appropriate regimen for each patient.
- Prescription-only product.
- Dispense with a 10-week expiration date; store refrigerated (2–8°C) prior to dispensing.
- Use caution with concomitant topical acne therapy due to cumulative irritancy.
- To report suspected adverse reactions: Taro Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc. at 1-866-923-4914 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
🎓 Key points for students
- Clindamycin phosphate is a water-soluble ester of clindamycin, produced by 7(S)-chloro-substitution of the 7(R)-hydroxyl group of lincomycin.
- Benzoyl peroxide is absorbed by the skin and converted to benzoic acid.
- Antibiotic-associated colitis is primarily caused by toxin(s) produced by Clostridia; stool culture and C. difficile toxin assay can aid diagnosis.
- Contraindications: hypersensitivity to clindamycin/lincomycin/benzoyl peroxide; history of regional enteritis, ulcerative colitis, or antibiotic-associated colitis.
- Interactions: in vitro antagonism with erythromycin; enhanced action of neuromuscular blocking agents.
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What is this gel used for?
Topical treatment of acne vulgaris in patients 12 years or older.
How do I apply it?
After gently washing and drying your face, apply a pea-sized amount once daily as directed by your doctor or pharmacist, avoiding the eyes, mouth, and broken skin.
When should I stop and contact my doctor?
If you develop significant or bloody diarrhea, severe abdominal cramps, signs of allergic reaction, or if skin irritation persists.
Can I use it with erythromycin?
Combined use with topical or oral erythromycin-containing products should be avoided.
Should I limit sun exposure?
Yes. Minimize sun exposure, including tanning beds and sun lamps, after applying the gel.
Is it safe for children?
Safety and effectiveness have not been evaluated in children under 12 years.
⚕️ For education only — not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start or stop any medicine without advice. Source: official FDA drug label via openFDA (2025-07), simplified. Updated: 2026-11-10.