Clindamycin topical (for the skin) is used to treat severe acne in adults and children who are at least 12 years old.

Clindamycin topical may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

You should not use clindamycin topical if you have ulcerative colitis or enteritis (inflammation of your intestines), or if you have ever had severe diarrhea caused by antibiotic medicine.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Do not take by mouth. Topical medicine is for use only on the skin. Do not use on open wounds or on sunburned, windburned, dry, or irritated skin.

Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you do not understand these instructions.

Shake clindamycin topical lotion well before each use.

Wash your hands before and after applying this medicine.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse.

If you need surgery, tell your surgeon you currently use this medicine. You may need to stop for a short time.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Keep the clindamycin topical foam canister away from an open flame or high heat. Do not puncture the canister or throw an empty canister into a fire.

Usual Adult Dose for Acne:

Recommended dose: Apply a thin film to the affected area(s) 2 times a day

Comment:
-More than 1 pledget may be used at the same time (e.g., larger surface areas).

Use:
-Treatment of acne vulgaris

Usual Adult Dose for Bacterial Vaginosis:

Non-pregnant patients:
Vaginal cream: 1 applicatorful intravaginally once at bedtime for 3 consecutive days
Vaginal suppository: Insert 1 suppository intravaginally once a day at bedtime for 3 to 7 consecutive days

Pregnant patients:
-Vaginal cream: 1 applicatorful intravaginally once at bedtime for 7 consecutive days

Comment:
-A diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis should be confirmed prior to initiating therapy.

Uses:
-Treatment of bacterial vaginosis in non-pregnant women
-Treatment of bacterial vaginosis in non-pregnant women and pregnant women in the second or third trimester

Usual Pediatric Dose for Acne:

12 years and older:
Recommended dose: Apply a thin film to the affected area(s) 2 times a day

Comment:
-More than 1 pledget may be used at the same time (e.g., larger surface areas).

Use:
-Treatment of acne vulgaris

You should not use clindamycin topical if you are allergic to clindamycin or lincomycin, or if you have:

• inflammation of your intestines (also called enteritis);

• ulcerative colitis; or

• if you have ever had severe diarrhea caused by antibiotic medicine.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• eczema or other skin problems; or

• an intestinal disorder.

It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

If you are breastfeeding, tell your doctor if you notice diaper rash, diarrhea, or signs of stomach pain in the nursing baby. If you apply clindamycin foam to your chest, avoid areas that may come into contact with the baby's mouth.

Clindamycin topical is not approved for use by anyone younger than 12 years old.

Apply the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not apply two doses at one time.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms include bloody or watery diarrhea, which may result if you absorb clindamycin topical through your skin by applying too much.

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Do not freeze. Do not expose clindamycin foam to temperatures higher than 120 °F (49 °C), and do not puncture or incinerate the container.

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

Do not smoke while using clindamycin topical foam, or immediately after applying it. The contents of the foam canister are flammable.

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, call your doctor. Do not use anti-diarrhea medicine unless your doctor tells you to.

Rinse with water if this medicine gets in your eyes or mouth.

Do not use other medicated skin products unless your doctor has told you to. 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.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Clindamycin topical may cause serious side effects. Stop using clindamycin topical and call your doctor at once if you have:

• severe redness, itching, or dryness of treated skin areas; or

• severe stomach pain, diarrhea that is watery or bloody (even if it occurs months after your last dose).

Common side effects of clindamycin topical may include:

• burning, itching, dryness, peeling or redness of treated skin; or

• oily skin.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• erythromycin (taken by mouth or applied to the skin).

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect clindamycin topical, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Keep all appointments with your doctor.

Do not let anyone else use your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

• Veltin® (containing Clindamycin, Tretinoin)
• Ziana® (containing Clindamycin, Tretinoin)