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Onexton
Generic name: benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin topical
Brand names: Acanya, Neuac, Onexton, Z-Clinz 10, DUAC, Z-Clinz 5
What is Onexton?
Benzoyl peroxide helps kill bacteria. It also dries out the skin a little, which helps remove extra oil and dirt.
Clindamycin is an antibiotic that stops bacteria from growing on the skin.
Onexton (for the skin) is a combination medicine used to treat acne.
Onexton may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
This section was rewritten for readability and reviewed for meaning.
Warnings
This medicine can cause a rare but serious allergic reaction or severe skin irritation. Stop using this medicine and get emergency medical help if you have: hives, itching; difficulty breathing, feeling light-headed; or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
This section was rewritten for readability and reviewed for meaning.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use Onexton if you are allergic to benzoyl peroxide or clindamycin (Cleocin, Clina-Derm, Clindets).
Even though this medicine is put on the skin, your body may absorb enough clindamycin to lead to serious side effects. You may not be able to use this medicine if you have:
- inflammation of your intestines (also called enteritis);
- ulcerative colitis; or
- if you have ever had severe diarrhea caused by antibiotic medicine.
It is not known if Onexton will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medicine.
It is not known if benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin topical passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.
This section was rewritten for readability and reviewed for meaning.
Onexton side effects
Benzoyl peroxide can cause a rare but serious allergic reaction or severe skin irritation. These reactions may happen just a few minutes after you apply the medicine, or within a day or longer afterward.
Stop using Onexton and seek emergency medical help if you notice signs of an allergic reaction: hives, itching; trouble breathing, feeling light-headed; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
This medicine may cause serious side effects. Stop using it and call your doctor immediately if you experience:
- severe redness, burning, stinging, or peeling of the treated skin areas; or
- diarrhea that is watery or bloody.
Common side effects of Onexton may include:
- mild burning or stinging;
- itching or a tingling feeling;
- dryness or peeling of the treated skin; or
- redness or other irritation.
This is not a complete list of side effects, and others may occur. Contact your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You can report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
This section was rewritten for readability and reviewed for meaning.
How should I use Onexton?
Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Using more medicine or applying it more often than prescribed will not make it work any faster, and may increase side effects.
Benzoyl peroxide can cause a rare but serious allergic reaction or severe skin irritation. Before you start using this medicine, you may choose to apply a "test dose" to see if you have a reaction. Apply a very small amount of the medicine to 1 or 2 small acne areas every day for 3 days in a row. If there is no reaction, begin using the full prescribed amount on the 4th day.
Wash your hands before and after applying this medicine.
Wash your face with a mild cleanser (not soap) and pat the skin dry with a clean towel.
Onexton is usually applied twice daily, in the morning and evening.
Avoid getting this medicine in your eyes, mouth, or nose (or in the creases of your nose), or on your lips. If it does get into any of these areas, wash with water. Do not apply this medicine to sunburned, windburned, dry, chapped, irritated, or broken skin.
It may take several weeks before your symptoms improve. Keep using the medication as directed and tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve.
If you receive more than one supply of Acanya or Duac gel, store the unopened container in a refrigerator until you are ready to start using it. Do not freeze.
Once in use, store the gel at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not freeze. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date on the label has passed. Duac has an expiration date of 60 days. Acanya has an expiration date of 10 weeks. BenzaClin has an expiration date of 3 months.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Apply the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
This section was rewritten for readability and reviewed for meaning.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Overdose symptoms include bloody or watery diarrhea, which may happen if you absorb Onexton through your skin by applying too much.
Avoid using skin products that can irritate your skin, 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 medications on the areas you treat with Onexton unless your doctor tells you to.
Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, stop using Onexton and call your doctor. Do not use anti-diarrhea medicine unless your doctor tells you to.
Avoid exposure to sunlight or tanning beds. This medication can make you more likely to get sunburned. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors.
Do not use sunscreen containing PABA on the same skin treated with Onexton, or skin discoloration may happen.
Benzoyl peroxide can bleach hair or fabrics. Do not let this medicine come into contact with clothing, hair, or colored towels or bed linens.
This section was rewritten for readability and reviewed for meaning.
What other drugs will affect Onexton?
It is unlikely that other medicines you take by mouth or inject will affect benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin topical applied to your skin. However, many medicines can interact with each other. Inform all your health care providers about all the medicines you use, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
This section was rewritten for readability and reviewed for meaning.
Related medicines
Content is provided for education and is not medical advice. See our medical disclaimer.