Clindamycin/tretinoin

What is Clindamycin/tretinoin?

• Clindamycin Phosphate and Tretinoin Gel is a lincosamide antibiotic and retinoid combination product used for the treatment of acne.

What are the uses of this medicine?

• Clindamycin Phosphate and Tretinoin Gel is used on the skin to treat acne in people 12 years and older.

How does this medicine work?

Clindamycin:

• Clindamycin binds to the 50S ribosomal subunit of susceptible bacteria and prevents elongation of peptide chains by interfering with peptidyl transfer, thereby suppressing protein synthesis.

Tretinoin:

• Although the exact mode of action of tretinoin is unknown, current evidence suggests that topical tretinoin decreases cohesiveness of folliculare epithelial cells with decreased microcomedone formation.
• Additionally, tretinoin stimulates mitotic activity and increased turnover of follicular epithelial cells causing extrusion of the comedones.

Who Should Not Use this medicine ?

This medicine cannot be used in patients who have:

• Crohn’s disease
• ulcerative colitis
• had inflammation of the colon (colitis) with past antibiotic use

What drug interactions can this medicine cause?

• Clindamycin Phosphate and Tretinoin Gel should not be used in combination with erythromycin-containing products because of its clindamycin component.
• Clindamycin Phosphate and Tretinoin Gel should be used with caution in patients receiving neuromuscular blocking agents.

Is this medicine FDA approved?

• Initial U.S. Approval: 2006

How should this medicine be used?

Recommended dosage:

• Clindamycin Phosphate and Tretinoin Gel should be applied once daily in the evening, gently rubbing the medication to lightly cover the entire affected area.
• Approximately a pea-sized amount will be needed for each application.
• Avoid the eyes, lips, and mucous membranes.
• Clindamycin Phosphate and Tretinoin Gel is not for oral, ophthalmic, or intravaginal use.

Administration:

• Use Clindamycin Phosphate and Tretinoin Gel exactly as prescribed.
• Your doctor will tell you how long to use Clindamycin Phosphate and Tretinoin Gel.
• Do not apply Clindamycin Phosphate and Tretinoin Gel more than one time each day.
• Do not use too much Clindamycin Phosphate and Tretinoin Gel, because it may irritate your skin.
• At bedtime, wash your face gently with a mild soap; rinse with water.
• Pat the skin dry.
• Squeeze a pea-sized amount of medication onto one fingertip. Then, gently rub over the entire affected area. Do not get Clindamycin Phosphate and Tretinoin Gel in your eyes, mouth, or on your lips.

What are the dosage forms and brand names of this medicine?

This medicine is available in fallowing doasage form:

• As Topical gel: clindamycin phosphate 1.2% and tretinoin 0.025% in 30-gram and 60-gram tubes.

This medicine is available in fallowing brand namesː

• Veltin ; ziana

What side effects can this medication cause?

The most common side effects of this medicine include:

• skin irritation such as dryness, peeling, burning, or itching

Clindamycin Phosphate and Tretinoin Gel may cause serious side effects, including:

• Inflammation of the colon (colitis)
• Sunburn

What special precautions should I follow?

• Limit your time in sunlight. Avoid using tanning beds or sun lamps. If you have to be in sunlight, wear a wide-brimmed hat or other protective clothing. Apply a sunscreen every morning and re-apply during the day as needed.
• Avoid wind and cold weather during treatment with Clindamycin Phosphate and Tretinoin Gel. These may be irritating to your skin.
• Avoid using abrasive soaps and cleansers. These may cause increased skin irritation with Clindamycin Phosphate and Tretinoin Gel.
• Clindamycin can cause severe colitis, which may result in death. Diarrhea, bloody diarrhea, and colitis (including pseudomembranous colitis) have been reported with the use of clindamycin. Clindamycin Phosphate and Tretinoin Gel should be discontinued if significant diarrhea occurs.

What to do in case of emergency/overdose?

• In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline of your country. In the United States, call 1-800-222-1222.

• Overdose related information is also available online at poisonhelp.org/help.
• In the event that the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services. In the United States, call 911.

Can this medicine be used in pregnancy?

• There are no well-controlled studies in pregnant women treated with Clindamycin Phosphate and Tretinoin Gel.
• Clindamycin Phosphate and Tretinoin Gel should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.

Can this medicine be used in children?

• Safety and effectiveness of Clindamycin Phosphate and Tretinoin Gel in pediatric patients younger than 12 years have not been established.
• It is not known if Clindamycin Phosphate and Tretinoin Gel is safe and effective in children younger than 12 years.

What are the active and inactive ingredients in this medicine?

• Active Ingredients: clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin
• Inactive ingredients: anhydrous citric acid, butylated hydroxytoluene, carbomer homopolymer (type C), edetate disodium, laureth 4, methylparaben, propylene glycol, purified water, and tromethamine.

Who manufactures and distributes this medicine?

• Manufactured by DPT Laboratories, San Antonio, TX
• Manufactured for Prasco Laboratories, Mason, OH USA

What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?

• Store Clindamycin Phosphate and Tretinoin Gel at room temperature, between 59°F to 86°F (15°C to 30°C).
• Protect from freezing.
• Keep Clindamycin Phosphate and Tretinoin Gel away from heat and light.
• Keep Clindamycin Phosphate and Tretinoin Gel and all medicines out of the reach of children.

• Dailymed label info on Clindamycin/tretinoin
• FDA Clindamycin/tretinoin

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