Clindamycin is a commonly prescribed antibiotic used in topical form to treat acne. It may be used alone or in combination with other topical agents or oral medications. It may be prescribed for other uses as well. If appropriate, your doctor will discuss off-label uses for topical clindamycin.

Topical clindamycin is available as a generic medication or under various brand names. This medication is only available via prescription. This means a written prescription from a licensed health care provider is required before purchase.

Topical clindamycin is primarily prescribed as a treatment for acne.

Acne is a common skin condition characterized by the appearance of pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, and sometimes deeper, painful cysts on the skin's surface. It typically occurs when hair follicles become clogged with oil and dead skin cells, forming these blemishes. The primary culprits behind acne development are an overproduction of sebum (the skin's natural oil), bacterial proliferation, hormonal fluctuations (especially during puberty), and genetics. The combination of these factors can lead to inflammation, redness, and the characteristic breakouts associated with acne.

Topical clindamycin is classified as a lincomycin antibiotic. This drug works by inhibiting the growth of Propionibacterium acnes, a bacterium commonly found on the skin's surface that plays a significant role in acne development. When applied as a topical solution or gel, it penetrates the skin and reduces the population of these bacteria, ultimately alleviating inflammation and preventing the formation of new pimples, whiteheads, and blackheads.

Additionally, clindamycin helps suppress the production of inflammatory substances contributing to acne lesions. It is often prescribed as part of a comprehensive acne treatment regimen. It can be especially effective when combined with other topical agents, such as benzoyl peroxide or retinoids.

Topical clindamycin has been shown to cause some mild side effects. If these adverse effects do not go away within a few days, talk to your health care provider.

Mild side effects reported from topical clindamycin use include:

• Dryness, scaling, or peeling skin
  
• Itching or burning skin
  
• Oily skin
  
• Skin redness
  
• Headache
  
  

More severe side effects include:

• Diarrhea
  
• Abdominal pain
  
• Watery or bloody stool
  
• Tiredness or weakness
  
• Vomiting
  
  

Seek medical attention immediately if you notice any of these symptoms. These are signs of a severe adverse reaction or overdose requiring medical treatment.

As with all prescription medications, inform your prescribing doctor about any medical conditions you have and any medications and supplements you are currently taking before starting treatment with topical clindamycin. This drug can interact with other medicines and substances, leading to potentially serious side effects.

Tell your doctor if you are taking erythromycin or other topical medications applied to the skin. In addition, let them know if you have or have had irritable bowel disease (IBD) or diarrhea caused by antibiotic medicines.

This is not a complete list of all drugs that interact with topical clindamycin. Make a comprehensive list of all medicines and supplements that you take before starting treatment with this drug.

You should also tell your health care provider about any medical conditions you manage.

Specifically, mention if you have or have had:

• Asthma
  
• Eczema
  
• Allergic skin reactions
  
  

Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant before starting treatment with topical clindamycin. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, stop taking it and inform your health care provider immediately.

Topical clindamycin is supplied as a foam or as a medicated gel. The prescribing provider will determine the exact dosage.

Wash your face and hands thoroughly before use. If applying topical clindamycin as a gel or liquid solution, wait thirty minutes before applying the medication after washing your face. When applying the medication, use a small amount of medicine to cover the affected area lightly. Wash your hands after application to ensure no medication remains on your fingers.

Do not discontinue or increase your topical clindamycin usage without consulting your doctor first. Take the medication exactly as prescribed, and inform your doctor if you begin to experience any side effects while taking the medication.

Topical clindamycin should be stored in the container it’s supplied in. Keep these containers at room temperature, away from excess heat or moisture.

Do not freeze this medication.

Keep all medicines out of sight and out of the reach of children. Ensure that the caps of all medicine bottles are tightly closed and locked (if applicable).

Topical clindamycin is currently only available via prescription. This means that a licensed health care provider must authorize the use of this drug.

Looking for a prescription? Providers on Sesame can write you a prescription during a virtual or in-person visit. You can arrange for same-day pickup at your pharmacy, depending on the medication. Book an online consultation with a licensed provider on Sesame today to determine whether or not clindamycin might be right for you.

Note that all prescriptions are at the discretion of your health care provider. Sesame cannot guarantee that you will be provided a prescription after a video or in-person appointment. Providers on Sesame are unable to prescribe controlled substances. For more information about controlled substances, check out the Drug Enforcement Agency’s scheduling guidelines here.

Providers on Sesame can write a prescription for topical clindamycin to be picked up near you—often within the same day. Don’t wait to get your prescription filled. Talk to a provider on Sesame and get your prescription ordered right away for fast and convenient pickup from a pharmacy of your choice.

Note that all prescriptions are at the discretion of your doctor.

Topical clindamycin is a generic drug. It’s available in its generic form or under brand names like:

• Cleocin T
  
• Clindacin ETZ
  
• Clindacin P
  
• Clindacin Pac
  
• Clinda-Derm
  
• Clindagel
  
• ClindaMax
  
• ClindaReach
  
• Clindets
  
• Evoclin
  
• Z-Clinz