ClindaMax (Topical)

Clindamycin is an antibiotic. Topical clindamycin is used to help manage acne. It can be used by itself or along with other medicines that are applied to the skin or taken by mouth for acne. Your doctor may also use topical clindamycin for other conditions.

You can get clindamycin only with a prescription from your doctor.

If your acne does not get better in about 6 weeks, or if it gets worse, talk to your health care professional. However, it may take 8 to 12 weeks of treatment before you see full improvement.

If your doctor has prescribed another medicine to use on your skin along with this one, it is best to apply them at different times. This can help prevent your skin from becoming too irritated. Using them at the same time may also prevent them from working properly.

For patients using the topical solution form of clindamycin:

• This medicine may make your skin unusually dry, even when used normally. If this happens, check with your doctor.

In some patients, clindamycin may cause diarrhea.

• Severe diarrhea may indicate a serious side effect. Do not take any medicine for diarrhea without first consulting your doctor. Diarrhea medicines may worsen your diarrhea or prolong it.
• For mild diarrhea, only take diarrhea medicine containing attapulgite (e.g., Kaopectate, Diasorb). Do not take other types of diarrhea medicine (e.g., Imodium A.D. or Lomotil) as they may worsen your condition or prolong it.
• If you have any questions about this, or if mild diarrhea continues or worsens, talk to your health care professional.

You can continue to use cosmetics (make-up) while using this medicine for acne. However, it is best to use only “water-base” cosmetics. Additionally, try not to use cosmetics too heavily or too often, as they may worsen your acne. If you have any questions about this, consult your doctor.

In deciding to use a medicine, you and your doctor will weigh the risks against the benefits. Consider the following for this medicine:

Allergies

Inform your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reactions to this medicine or any other medicines. Also, tell your healthcare professional about any other allergies you may have, like to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients closely.

Pediatric

Studies on this medicine have only been conducted in adults, and there is no specific information comparing its use in children up to 12 years of age with other age groups.

Geriatric

Many medicines have not been specifically studied in older adults. Therefore, it may not be known if they work the same way as they do in younger adults. Although there is no specific information comparing the use of this medicine in older people with other age groups, it is not expected to cause different side effects or issues in older adults than in younger adults.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women to determine the risk to infants when using this medication during breastfeeding. Consider the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should not be used together at all, while in other cases, two different medicines might be used together even if an interaction could happen. In these situations, your doctor may adjust the dose or take other precautions. It is especially important for your healthcare professional to know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below while using this medicine. The following interactions are chosen for their potential significance and may not be a complete list.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be necessary in some cases. If both are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Cholera Vaccine, Live
• Daridorexant
• Erythromycin
• Fedratinib
• Mavacamten
• Omaveloxolone
• Phenobarbital
• Primidone

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may increase the risk of certain side effects, but using both may be the best treatment for you. If both are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Atracurium
• Metocurine
• Tubocurarine

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Some medicines should not be used around the time of eating food or certain types of food due to potential interactions. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions. Discuss with your healthcare professional about using your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

Having other medical issues may affect the use of this medicine. Be sure to inform your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• History of stomach or intestinal disease (especially colitis, including colitis caused by antibiotics, or enteritis)—These conditions may increase the chance of side effects that affect the stomach and intestines.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Not all of these side effects will occur, but if they do, they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Rare

• Severe abdominal or stomach cramps, pain, and bloating
• Watery and severe diarrhea, which may also be bloody
• Fever
• Increased thirst
• Nausea or vomiting
• Unusual tiredness or weakness
• Unusual weight loss—these side effects may also occur several weeks after you stop using this medicine

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

Less common

• Skin rash, itching, redness, swelling, or any other sign of irritation not present before using this medicine

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Your health care professional may be able to tell you ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue, are bothersome, or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Dryness, scaliness, or peeling of skin (for the topical solution)

Less common

• Abdominal pain
• Mild diarrhea
• Headache
• Irritation or oiliness of skin
• Stinging or burning feeling of skin

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In the U.S.

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

Available Dosage Forms:

• Foam
• Solution
• Lotion
• Pad
• Gel/Jelly

Therapeutic Class: Antiacne

Chemical Class: Lincosamide

Before applying this medicine, thoroughly wash the affected areas with warm water and soap, rinse well, and pat dry.

When applying the medicine, use enough to cover the affected area lightly. You should apply the medicine to the whole area usually affected by acne, not just to the pimples themselves. This will help keep new pimples from breaking out.

You should avoid washing the acne-affected areas too often. This may dry your skin and make your acne worse. Washing with a mild, bland soap 2 or 3 times a day should be enough, unless you have oily skin. If you have any questions about this, check with your doctor.

Topical clindamycin will not cure your acne. However, to help keep your acne under control, keep using this medicine for the full time of treatment, even if your symptoms begin to clear up after a few days. You may have to continue using this medicine every day for months or even longer in some cases. If you stop using this medicine too soon, your symptoms may return. It is important that you do not miss any doses.

For patients using the topical foam form of clindamycin:

• After washing or shaving, it is best to wait 30 minutes before applying this medicine. The alcohol in it may irritate freshly washed or shaved skin.
• This medicine contains alcohol and is flammable. Do not use near heat, near open flame, or while smoking.
• To apply this medicine: Do not dispense clindamycin topical foam directly onto your hands because the foam will begin to melt on contact with warm skin. Remove the clear cap. Align the black mark with the nozzle of the actuator. Hold the can upright and press firmly to dispense. Dispense amount that will cover the affected area(s) directly into the cap or onto a cool surface. The can may be placed under cold running water if the can seems warm or the foam seems runny. A small amount of topical foam should be picked up with your fingertips and massaged gently into the affected areas until the foam disappears. Unused medicine that was removed from the can should be throw away. Since this medicine contains alcohol, it will sting or burn. In addition, it has an unpleasant taste if it gets on the mouth or lips. Therefore, do not get this medicine in the eyes, nose, or mouth, or on other mucous membranes. Spread the medicine away from these areas when applying. If this medicine does get in the eyes, wash them out immediately, but carefully, with large amounts of cool tap water. If your eyes still burn or are painful, check with your doctor.
• It is important that you do not use this medicine more often than your doctor ordered. It may cause your skin to become too dry or irritated.

For patients using the topical solution form of clindamycin:

• After washing or shaving, it is best to wait 30 minutes before applying this medicine. The alcohol in it may irritate freshly washed or shaved skin.
• This medicine contains alcohol and is flammable. Do not use near heat, near open flame, or while smoking.
• To apply this medicine: This medicine comes in a bottle with an applicator tip, which may be used to apply the medicine directly to the skin. Use the applicator with a dabbing motion instead of a rolling motion (not like a roll-on deodorant, for example). Tilt the bottle and press the tip firmly against your skin. If needed, you can make the medicine flow faster from the applicator tip by slightly increasing the pressure against the skin. If the medicine flows too fast, use less pressure. If the applicator tip becomes dry, turn the bottle upside down and press the tip several times to moisten it. Since this medicine contains alcohol, it will sting or burn. In addition, it has an unpleasant taste if it gets on the mouth or lips. Therefore, do not get this medicine in the eyes, nose, or mouth, or on other mucous membranes. Spread the medicine away from these areas when applying. If this medicine does get in the eyes, wash them out immediately, but carefully, with large amounts of cool tap water. If your eyes still burn or are painful, check with your doctor.
• It is important that you do not use this medicine more often than your doctor ordered. It may cause your skin to become too dry or irritated.

For patients using the topical suspension form of clindamycin:

• Shake well before applying.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For topical dosage form (foam): For acne: Adults and children 12 years of age and over—Apply once a day to areas affected by acne. Infants and children up to 12 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
• For topical dosage forms (gel, solution, and suspension): For acne: Adults and children 12 years of age and over—Apply two times a day to areas affected by acne. Infants and children up to 12 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, apply it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.