From the Guidelines
Clindamycin gel should be applied topically to clean, dry skin once or twice daily as directed by your healthcare provider. When using Clindamycin gel, it is essential to follow proper application instructions to ensure effectiveness and minimize potential side effects. Begin by washing your hands thoroughly, then wash the affected area with mild soap and water and pat dry. Apply a thin layer of the gel to the affected areas only, avoiding contact with eyes, mouth, inside the nose, and other mucous membranes 1. Wash your hands after application. Do not cover the treated area with bandages or dressings unless instructed to do so. Some key points to consider when using Clindamycin gel include:
- Continue using the medication for the full prescribed duration, even if symptoms improve quickly, as Clindamycin works by stopping bacterial growth, but improvement may take several weeks 1.
- You may experience mild burning, stinging, dryness, or peeling when starting treatment, but if severe irritation occurs or symptoms worsen, contact your healthcare provider.
- Store the medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
- This antibiotic only treats bacterial skin infections, not viral or fungal infections, and overuse may lead to decreased effectiveness or antibiotic resistance 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
Apply a thin film of Clindamycin Phosphate Topical Solution, Clindamycin Phosphate Lotion, or Clindamycin Phosphate Gel twice daily to affected area. To use Clindamycin Gel Topical, apply a thin film to the affected area twice daily 2.
- Application frequency: twice daily
- Application amount: thin film
- Affected area: apply directly to the affected skin area
From the Research
Directions for Clindamycin Gel Topical
- The combination of clindamycin 1%-benzoyl peroxide 5% gel is efficacious and well-tolerated for the treatment of acne 3.
- Clindamycin phosphate 1.2% together with tretinoin 0.025% as a gel is a topical formulation approved by the FDA for the treatment of acne vulgaris in patients 12 years of age or older 4.
- The product combines the anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties of clindamycin with the comedolytic and anticomedogenic effects of tretinoin, and can be used once daily 4.
- Topical clindamycin is effective in the management of acne vulgaris, and appears to be superior in efficacy compared with erythromycin and tetracycline 5.
- Clindamycin can be used in combination with other topical agents, such as benzoyl peroxide, to enhance antibiotic efficacy in acne management 6.
- Clindamycin phosphate foam 1% is at least as effective as clindamycin phosphate topical gel 1% for the treatment of acne vulgaris, and may offer cosmetic benefits to the patient 7.
Usage and Combination Therapy
- Clindamycin gel can be used in combination with topical retinoids, creating a more targeted and complete treatment strategy 3.
- The combination of clindamycin with benzoyl peroxide is synergistic and well-tolerated 6.
- Clindamycin can be combined with systemic antiacne therapy, such as systemic isotretinoin, in nodulocystic acne 4.
Safety and Efficacy
- Clindamycin gel is generally well-tolerated, with minimal adverse events 3, 4, 7.
- The emergence and spread of resistance among propionibacteria to clindamycin calls into question its long-term viability as a topical anti-acne therapy 5.
- The safety of clindamycin use in pregnancy has not been established 4.