Consumer Information

Benzaclin

Generic Name: benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin topical (BEN zoyl per OX ide and clin da MYE sin)
Brand Names: Benzaclin, DUAC

What is Benzaclin?

Feedback for Benzaclin

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Benzaclin contains benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin. Benzoyl peroxide has an antibacterial effect. It also has a mild drying effect that allows excess oil and dirt to be washed away.

Clindamycin is an antibiotic. Clindamycin topical prevents bacteria from growing on the skin.

Benzaclin is used to treat acne.

Benzaclin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Important information about Benzaclin

Stop using Benzaclin and contact your doctor if you develop diarrhea or severe abdominal cramps, with or without the passage of bloody mucus. Do not use Benzaclin along with any other topical or oral acne medications unless otherwise directed by your doctor. Excessive skin dryness or other side effects may occur.

Avoid the use of harsh, abrasive, or irritating cleansers; cosmetics; or other medications on the area being treated; except under the direction of a doctor.

Do not use Benzaclin on sunburned, windburned, dry, chapped, or irritated skin, unless otherwise directed by your doctor. It could make these conditions worse.

Avoid contact with clothing, hair, and colored towels. Benzoyl peroxide may cause bleaching.

Before using Benzaclin

Before using Benzaclin, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

regional enteritis;
ulcerative colitis; or
antibiotic-associated colitis.

You made not be able to use Benzaclin, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have had any of the conditions listed above.

Do not use Benzaclin on sunburned, windburned, dry, chapped, or irritated skin, unless otherwise directed by your doctor. It could make these conditions worse. Benzaclin is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means it is not known whether Benzaclin will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not use Benzaclin without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether Benzaclin passes into breast milk. Do not use Benzaclin without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I use Benzaclin?

Use Benzaclin exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Wash your hands before and after applying the medication.

Before applying Benzaclin, wash the affected skin gently, then rinse with warm water and pat dry. Apply a thin layer of the medication as directed by your doctor. When applying Benzaclin, avoid the eyes, the inside of the nose and mouth, the lips, and areas where the skin is broken or damaged to prevent excessive irritation. If you get medication on any of these areas, rinse it off with water. Do not use Benzaclin on sunburned, windburned, dry, chapped, or irritated skin, unless otherwise directed by your doctor. It could make these conditions worse.

Avoid contact with clothing, hair, and colored towels. Benzoyl peroxide may cause bleaching.

It may take several weeks or more to see the beneficial effects of this drug. Do not stop using Benzaclin if you do not see results immediately. Store Benzaclin at room temperature. Discard any unused product after 2 months.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Apply the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the dose you missed and apply only the next regularly scheduled dose.

What happens if I overdose?

An overdose of Benzaclin is unlikely to occur. If an overdose is suspected, or if Benzaclin has been ingested, call your doctor, a poison control center, or a hospital emergency room for advice.

What should I avoid while taking Benzaclin?

Avoid the use of harsh, abrasive, or irritating cleansers; cosmetics; or other medications on the area being treated; except under the direction of a doctor.

Avoid contact with clothing, hair, and colored towels. Benzoyl peroxide may cause bleaching.

What are the possible side effects of Benzaclin?

Serious side effects are not likely to occur. Stop using Benzaclin and seek emergency medical attention if you experience an allergic reaction (shortness of breath; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, face, or tongue; or hives). Stop using Benzaclin and contact your doctor if you develop diarrhea or severe abdominal cramps, with or without the passage of bloody mucus.

You may experience some skin dryness, itching, redness, peeling, or other skin irritation while using Benzaclin. Talk to your doctor if these side effects are more than mild.

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 Benzaclin?

Do not use Benzaclin along with any other topical or oral acne medications unless otherwise directed by your doctor. Excessive skin dryness or other side effects may occur.

Avoid the use of harsh, abrasive, or irritating cleansers; cosmetics; or other medications on the area being treated; except under the direction of a doctor.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Benzaclin. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist has additional information about Benzaclin written for health professionals that you may read.

What does my medication look like?

Benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin topical is available with a prescription under the brand names Benzaclin and DUAC in a gel formulation. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

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.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, 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. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. 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, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.