Acne is treated with clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide together. Clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide belong to the category of drugs known as topical antibiotics. Clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide work together to treat acne by killing the acne-causing bacteria.

Clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide are available as a skin-application gel. In most cases, it is used twice daily, in the morning and the evening. Use the gel at approximately the same times every day to help you remember to use the clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any instructions on your prescription label that you do not understand, and carefully follow their instructions. Clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide gel should be used exactly as recommended. Use only as directed by your doctor, neither more nor less of it, nor more frequently.

Follow these steps to use the gel:

• Warm water should be used to gently wash and dry the afflicted region.
• Apply a little layer of gel evenly over the affected region using your fingertips. Keep the gel away from your lips, nose, eyes, and other body openings. Wash your eyes with warm water if you do manage to get the gel in them.
• Check your reflection. You have taken too much medication if you notice a white film on your skin.
• Sanitise your hands.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details if you believe this drug should be used for something else.

Before using clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide,

• If you have any drug allergies, including those to lincomycin (Cleocin, Clinda-Derm, C/D/S), benzoyl peroxide (Benzac, Desquam, PanOxyl, Triaz, and others), or any other medications, let your doctor and pharmacist know right away.
• Inform your physician and pharmacist about all prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal products you are taking. Erythromycin (E.E.S., E-Mycin, Erythrocin) and other topical acne treatments should be brought up. Your physician might need to adjust the dosage of your drugs or keep a close eye on you for side effects.
• Inform your doctor of any stomach issues, ulcerative colitis (a condition that results in swelling and ulcers in the lining of the colon [large intestine] and rectum), or severe diarrhoea brought on by antibiotics.
• Inform your doctor if you are expecting, intend to get pregnant, or are nursing a baby. Call your doctor if you become pregnant while taking clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide.
• Have a plan to limit your time spent in the sun and to use sunscreen, sunglasses, and protective clothes. Your skin may become more sensitive to the sun if you use clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide.
• To keep your skin soft during treatment, ask your doctor or pharmacist for a moisturiser recommendation.

Keep eating normally unless your doctor instructs you otherwise.

As soon as you realise you missed a dose, administer it. If the next dose is soon due, skip the missed one and carry on with your regular dosing plan. Applying a second dose to make up for a missed one is not advised.

Benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin both have potential adverse effects. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:

• Dry skin
• Itching
• Sloughing skin
• Ruddy skin

Certain adverse effects can be very harmful. Even though the following signs are unusual, you should call your doctor right once if you notice any of them:

• Really bad diarrhoea
• Faeces with blood or mucous in it
• Severe cramping or discomfort in the stomach
• Alterations in your skin or nails that could indicate a fungal infection

Benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin may also have additional adverse effects. If you experience any strange issues while taking this drug, call your doctor right away.

You or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting programme online or by phone if you have a serious side event (1-800-332-1088).

Keep this medication tightly closed in the original container and out of the reach of children. Keep it away from excessive heat and moisture at room temperature (not in the bathroom). After 10 weeks, dispose of any unused medication.

Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent pets, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilising a medicine take-back programme is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programmes in your area, speak with your pharmacist or the garbage/recycling department in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back programme, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medications website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

Although many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning. http://www.upandaway.org

Keep all of your doctor’s appointments.

Avoid getting benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin gel on your clothes or hair. Benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin can bleach coloured clothing or hair.

Do not share your medication with anybody else. Any queries you may have regarding medication refills should be directed to your pharmacist.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.