Canadian pharmacy buying guide: drug characteristics, uses and benefits, side effects and interactions, and links for further information about buying discount drugs online from Canada.

Clindamycin Topical Consumer Information

CLINDAMYCIN TOPICAL

Generic Name: clindamycin topical (klin da MYE sin)

Brand Names: C/T/S, Cleocin T, Clinda-Derm, Clindets Pledget

What is the most important information I should know about clindamycin topical?

• It may take up to 3 months to see the effects of this drug. Do not stop using clindamycin topical if you do not see results immediately.
• Avoid your eyes, nose, mouth, and lips when applying clindamycin topical. If medication gets in any of these areas, wash with water.
• Stop using clindamycin topical and talk to your doctor if you experience severe diarrhea, bloody diarrhea, or abdominal pain.

What is clindamycin topical?

• Clindamycin is an antibiotic. Clindamycin topical prevents bacteria from growing on your skin.
• Clindamycin is used topically to treat bacterial infections such as acné.
• Clindamycin topical may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Who should not use clindamycin topical?

• Do not use clindamycin without the approval of your doctor if you have a history of enteritis, ulcerative colitis, or antibiotic-associated colitis (severe diarrhea).
• Clindamycin topical is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that it is unlikely to harm an unborn baby. Do not use clindamycin topical without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.
• Clindamycin topical passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing infant. Do not use clindamycin topical without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I use clindamycin topical?

• Use clindamycin topical exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
• Wash your hands before and after using this medication.
• Clean and dry the area to which you will apply clindamycin topical. Apply a thin film of the medication. Clindamycin topical is usually applied once or twice daily. Follow your doctor's directions.
• Avoid your eyes, nose, mouth, and lips when applying clindamycin topical. If medication gets in any of these areas, wash the area with water.
• It may take up to 3 months to see the effects of this drug. Do not stop using it if you do not see results immediately.
• Store clindamycin topical at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

• Apply the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and apply only your next regularly scheduled dose. Keep applications at least 12 hours apart.

What happens if I overdose?

• Seek emergency medical attention.
• Symptoms of a clindamycin overdose include severe or bloody diarrhea along with abdominal pain.

What should I avoid while taking clindamycin topical?

• Avoid applying clindamycin topical to broken or irritated skin. This medication could make your condition worse.
• Avoid using other topical products on the same area at the same time unless directed to do so by your doctor.
• Avoid using harsh, abrasive, or irritating cleansers, perfumes, or cosmetics during therapy with clindamycin topical.

What are the possible side effects of clindamycin topical?

• Stop using clindamycin topical and seek emergency medical attention if you experience severe, bloody diarrhea along with abdominal pain.
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to use clindamycin topical and talk to your doctor if you experience burning, itching, drying, redness, oiliness, or peeling of the skin.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect clindamycin topical?

• Do not use other topical prescription or over-the-counter products on the same area at the same time unless directed to do so by your doctor.
• Avoid using harsh, abrasive, or irritating cleansers, perfumes, or cosmetics during therapy with clindamycin topical.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has additional information about clindamycin topical written for health professionals that you may read.
• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Limitations of This Canadian Pharmacy Information

Efforts have been made to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. This information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. This is an educational resource only intended to supplement but not to replace the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, please check with your doctor, nurse or local pharmacist. This site does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided here.

Full public license and copyright information is available separately from Cerner Multum, Inc.

Version: 3.02. Revision Date: 2/14/03.