General
Description & Use
Treatment
of mild to moderate acne. This medicine contains the active ingredient
clindamycin phosphate, which is an antibiotic medicine. It has
activity against a wide variety of bacteria, including the bacteria
associated with acne, Propionebacterium acnes. This is a common
type of bacteria that feeds on sebum produced by the sebaceous
glands in the skin. It produces waste products and fatty acids
that irritate the sebaceous glands, making them inflamed and causing
spots.
Clindamycin, an antibiotic, is used to treat infections of the
respiratory tract, skin, pelvis, vagina, and abdomen. Antibiotics
will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections. Clindamycin
comes as a capsule and liquid to take by mouth; topical solution,
lotion, and gel for skin infections; and vaginal cream.
Clindamycin
usually is taken every 6 hours for respiratory, pelvis, or abdomen
infections or applied twice a day for acne. Shake the oral liquid
well before each use to mix the medication evenly. Drink a full
glass of water after each dose (capsules and oral liquid).
For
acne, it may take up to 12 weeks for the full effect of the drug
to be seen. Shake the topical lotion well before each use. Apply
this liquid, the solution, or the gel in a thin film after washing
and drying the skin thoroughly. Avoid getting the medication in
your eyes and mouth or on broken skin; if you do, use plenty of
water to wash the drug away.
Follow
the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your
doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand.
Clindamycin
works by preventing the bacteria from producing proteins essential
to the bacterial cell. Without these proteins the bacteria cannot
grow, replicate and increase in numbers. By controlling bacterial
numbers, the inflammation of the sebaceous glands is brought under
control, and the skin is allowed to heal.
Some brands of this medicine contain an alcohol base which can
cause burning and irritation of the eyes and sensitive areas of
skin. Keep alcohol based preparations away from the eyes and delicate
linings of the nose and mouth. In the event of accidental contact
bathe the affected area with plenty of cool water. If
you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using
this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.
Pregnancy
and Breastfeeding
Certain
medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding
providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the
unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or
planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.
The safety of this medicine for use during pregnancy has not been
established. It is not recommended for use in pregnancy unless
considered essential by your doctor. Seek medical advice from
your doctor.
It is not known whether this medicine passes into breast milk.
Breastfeeding is therefore not recommended whilst taking this
medicine. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
Side effects
Medicines
and their possible side effects can affect individual people in
different ways. The following are some of the side effects that
are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side
effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using
this medicine will experience that or any side effect.
Dry skin
Skin irritation
Allergic inflammation of the skin (irritant dermatitis)
Itching (pruritis)
The
side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects
reported by the drug's manufacturer.
For
more information about any other possible risks associated with
this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine
or consult your doctor or pharmacist.
