Clindamycin/Tretinoin

BRAND NAMES

• U.S.: Ziana Topical gel: Clindamycin phosphate 1.2% and tretinoin 0.025%
• Lebanon: CLINIDERM T Gel

STRUCTURE

• 

  Clindamycin

• 

  Tretinoin

MECHANISM OF ACTION

Clindamycin binds to the 50S ribosomal subunits of susceptible bacteria and prevents elongation of peptide chains by interfering with peptidyl transfer, thereby suppressing protein synthesis.

Topical tretinoin decreases cohesiveness of follicular epithelial cells with decreased microcomedo formation. Additionally, tretinoin stimulates mitotic activity and increased turnover of follicular epithelial cells causing extrusion of the comedones.

INDICATIONS

Topical treatment of acne vulgaris in patients 12 years or older

DOSAGE

Apply a pea-sized amount to the entire face once daily at bedtime. Do not apply to eyes, mouth, angles of the nose, or mucous membranes.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Patients with regional enteritis, ulcerative colitis, or history of antibiotic-associated colitis

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

• Colitis: Clindamycin can cause severe colitis, which may result in death. Diarrhea, bloody diarrhea, and colitis (including pseudomembranous colitis) have been reported with the use of clindamycin. Clindamycin/Tretinoin Gel should be discontinued if significant diarrhea occurs.

• Ultraviolet Light and Environmental Exposures: Avoid exposure to sunlight and sunlamps. Wear sunscreen daily. Wear sunscreen daily

INTERACTIONS

• Concomitant use of topical medications with a strong drying effect can increase skin irritation. Use with caution.
• Clindamycin/Tretinoin Topical Gel should not be used in combination with erythromycin- containing products because of its clindamycin component.

PREGNANCY AND LACTATION

• Pregnancy Category C (US). Clindamycin/Tretinoin Topical Gel should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
• Nursing Mothers: It is not known whether clindamycin or Tretinoin are excreted in human milk following use of Clindamycin/Tretinoin topical Gel. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.

SIDE EFFECTS

Local adverse reactions in patients treated with Clindamycin/Tretinoin Topical Gel were skin erythema, scaling, itching, burning, and stinging. Other most commonly reported adverse events (≥ 1% in patients treated with Clindamycin/Tretinoin Gel) were nasopharyngitis, pharyngolaryngeal pain, dry skin, cough, and sinusitis.

RELATED LINKS

Acne Treatments