From the Guidelines
Clindamycin topical is effective against bacterial skin infections caused by susceptible strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus species, and anaerobic bacteria, as supported by the most recent and highest quality study 1.
Bacterial Coverage
The medication is commonly used for acne vulgaris, folliculitis, impetigo, and minor skin infections.
- Staphylococcus aureus
- Streptococcus species
- Anaerobic bacteria
Treatment Duration and Formulations
Typical formulations include gels, lotions, and solutions in concentrations of 1-2%, applied to affected areas once or twice daily after cleansing.
- Treatment duration varies based on the condition but generally continues until improvement is seen, often 1-3 months for acne or 7-10 days for other skin infections.
- Side effects may include skin dryness, redness, burning sensation, or irritation.
Important Considerations
If using clindamycin for acne, improvement typically takes several weeks, and the medication is often combined with other treatments like benzoyl peroxide to increase effectiveness and reduce antibiotic resistance.
- Patients should avoid using clindamycin topical if they have a history of antibiotic-associated colitis or inflammatory bowel disease, as noted in 1.
- The choice of antibiotic should be guided by local epidemiology and susceptibility patterns, as well as the severity of the infection, as recommended in 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY Microbiology Clindamycin inhibits bacterial protein synthesis by binding to the 23S RNA of the 50S subunit of the ribosome. Clindamycin is bacteriostatic Antimicrobial Activity Clindamycin is active in vitro against most isolates of Propionibacterium acnes;
Clindamycin topical is effective against Propionibacterium acnes 2.
From the Research
Bacterial Infections Treated by Clindamycin Topical
Clindamycin topical is effective against various bacterial infections, including:
- Gram-positive bacteria 3
- Anaerobic bacteria 3
- Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) and P. granulosum, which are commonly associated with acne vulgaris 4, 5, 6
- Cutibacterium acnes, which is involved in acne lesion formation 6
- Staphylococcal infections, such as those causing folliculitis and hidradenitis suppurativa 6
Mechanism of Action
Clindamycin topical works by:
- Inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis by binding to the 50S ribosomal subunits, causing inhibition of peptide-bond formation 7
- Suppressing the growth of propionibacterial species, including P. acnes and P. granulosum 4
- Exhibiting anti-inflammatory properties, which help reduce inflammation associated with acne lesions 3, 6, 7
Clinical Efficacy
Clindamycin topical has been shown to be effective in treating various dermatological conditions, including: