clindamycin topical

Use clindamycin topical exactly as your doctor has prescribed it for you. Using more medicine or applying it more often than prescribed will not make it work any faster, and may increase side effects. Do not use this medication for longer than your doctor has prescribed.

Avoid getting this medication in your eyes. If it does get into your eyes, rinse thoroughly with water.

It may take several weeks of using this medicine before your symptoms improve. For best results, keep using the medication as directed. Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve.

Although this medicine is applied to the skin, your body may absorb enough clindamycin to cause serious side effects. You may not be able to use this medication if you have inflammation of your intestines (also called enteritis), ulcerative colitis, or if you have ever had severe diarrhea caused by antibiotic medicine.

Clindamycin is an antibiotic. Clindamycin topical prevents bacteria from growing on the skin.

Clindamycin topical (for the skin) is used to treat severe acne.

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

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to clindamycin 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.

FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether clindamycin topical passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Do not use this medication on a child younger than 12 years old without the advice of a doctor.

Use clindamycin topical exactly as your doctor has prescribed it for you. Using more medicine or applying it more often than prescribed will not make it work any faster, and may increase side effects. Do not use this medication for longer than your doctor has prescribed.

This medication comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Wash your hands before and after applying this medication.

Wash your face with a mild soap or cleanser and pat the skin dry with a clean towel.

Avoid getting this medication in your eyes. If it does get into your eyes, rinse thoroughly with water.

It may take several weeks of using this medicine before your symptoms improve. For best results, keep using the medication as directed. Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve.

Store this medication 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.

Apply the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to apply the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

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

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

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

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.

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

Stop using this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• severe redness, itching, or dryness of treat skin areas; or
• diarrhea that is watery or bloody.

Less serious side effects may include:

• mild burning or itching;
• mild dryness of treated skin; or
• redness or other irritation.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.

Before using clindamycin topical, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

• erythromycin topical (Akne-Mycin, Emcin Clear, Eryderm, Erygel, Erythra-Derm, Ery-Sol, and others); or
• erythromycin taken by mouth (E.E.S., E-Mycin, Ery-Tab, E-Mycin, Robimycin, and others).

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with clindamycin topical. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Your pharmacist can provide more information about clindamycin topical.