What is Clindagel?
The active ingredient of Clindagel is clindamycin phosphate. Each tube of gel contains 1.2%
clindamycin phosphate equivalent to 1% clindamycin. Clindagel also contains propylene
glycol, purified water, ethanol, zinc acetate, hydroxyethylcellulose and sodium hydroxide.
Each tube contains 30g of antibiotic gel.How does Clindagel work?
Clindagel is used to treat acne (spots). Clindagel contains clindamycin phosphate which
breaks down in the skin to clindamycin which is an antibiotic. Clindagel reduces the number
of bacteria. This will help to stop the pores becoming blocked and new spots forming.
Clindagel may also help to reduce the redness of the spots you already have. As with other
products it will take some time before you see your acne improving.
What is acne?
Acne is an extremely common skin condition. During adolescence grease glands in the skin
produce extra grease in response to normal amounts of sex hormones in your body and
this can cause blocked pores (i.e. blackheads). When this happens the pores are invaded
by bacteria. This produces chemicals which go into deeper parts of the skin to produce red
spots filled with pus. In some people acne starts or continues after adolescence.
Can I use Clindagel?
Make sure it is safe for you to use Clindagel.
If you answer "YES" to any of the following questions, or you are not sure, please tell your
doctor or pharmacist.
? Have you ever had a rash or other allergic reaction to Clindagel, any of its ingredients
(listed above) or lincomycin (another antibiotic)? An allergic reaction may include a rash,
red skin, itching, swelling or breathing difficulties.
? Are you pregnant or could you be? No one is very sure whether it is safe to use Clindagel
during pregnancy. Therefore you should not use Clindagel if you are pregnant, or think you
might be pregnant, without discussing this with your doctor.
? Are you breast-feeding? As clindamycin can pass into breast milk, even if you only use it
on the skin, you should not breast-feed while using Clindagel.
Clindagel should not be used by children under the age of 12 years.
Warning: This product contains about 20% ethanol. Each gram contains about 0.2g of alcohol.
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you are taking.
How should I use Clindagel?
Read the label on the pack carefully and follow your doctor's instructions.
Usually, you should use this medicine once a day. Wash as normal,
rinse well and pat your skin dry. Apply a small amount of gel in a thin
layer to the whole of the area where you usually get spots. Don’t apply
Clindagel to areas where you do not usually get spots. Don’t just dab
onto individual spots. Don’t apply a thick layer in any particular area as
this will not get rid of the spots any quicker. Take care to avoid your
eyes, inside your nose and mouth. If you accidentally put gel on these
areas, wash them straight away with plenty of water.
Successful treatment of acne with most therapies can take several months. You may not
see any effect of treatment for several weeks. After that you should note a gradual but
definite improvement but maximum benefit may take several months. You may need to
use more than one tube of Clindagel during each course of treatment. Use Clindagel for
as long as your doctor tells you.
If you forget to use Clindagel at any time, use it next time as if you had not missed an
application. Do not use twice as much or use it twice as often to catch up with the
application you have missed.
Try not to pick or squeeze spots as this can make your acne worse and even lead to
scarring.
Does Clindagel have any side effects?
All drugs have some side effects however those associated with Clindagel are usually
minor. Your skin may become dry, painful, itchy, hot or red for a short time. You can relieve
this by using an oil free moisturiser. Tell your doctor if this worries you.
Clindamycin given by mouth or injection has caused inflammation of the bowel, leading to
diarrhoea that can contain blood and mucus. This reaction is extremely rare when
clindamycin is applied on the skin. If you do get diarrhoea, you must stop using Clindagel
straight away and tell your doctor immediately.
If you notice anything else that might be a side effect, tell your doctor or pharmacist.
How should I store Clindagel?
Do not use the gel after the “use before” date.
It is important to replace the cap after you have used the gel.
Keep your gel in a safe place, where children cannot see or reach it. Your gel could
harm them.