Clindamycin and Benzoyl Peroxide Gel (60-Day Storage)

• If you have an allergy to clindamycin, benzoyl peroxide, or any other part of clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide gel (60-day storage).
• If you are allergic to any drugs like this one, any other drugs, foods, or other substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had, like rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other signs.
• If you have ever had any of these health problems: Very loose stools called antibiotic-associated colitis, regional enteritis, ulcerative colitis, or Crohn's disease.
• If you are using any products that have erythromycin.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this medicine.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide gel with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take this medicine. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• This medicine may cause harm if swallowed. If clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide gel is swallowed, call a doctor or poison control center right away.
• Certain acne products that contain benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid can rarely cause very bad and sometimes life-threatening allergic reactions or very bad irritation. Before first use, you may need to follow certain steps to make sure you do not have an allergic reaction. Use this medicine as you were told by the doctor or read the package label. Talk with the doctor.
• Use care when putting on. It may bleach hair or colored fabric.
• Use other pimple (acne) drugs with care. More skin irritation may happen.
• Talk with your doctor before you use other drugs or products on your skin.
• You may get sunburned more easily. Avoid sun, sunlamps, and tanning beds. Use sunscreen and wear clothing and eyewear that protects you from the sun.
• Do not use longer than you have been told. A second infection may happen.
• Diarrhea, bloody diarrhea, and a certain bowel problem (colitis) have happened with clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide gel. Very bad colitis may lead to death. Call your doctor right away if you have stomach pain or cramps, very bad or watery diarrhea, or bloody diarrhea. Do not try to treat diarrhea without first checking with your doctor.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks of using this medicine while you are pregnant.
• Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about any risks to your baby.

Use clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide gel as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• Do not take this medicine by mouth. Use on your skin only. Keep out of your mouth, nose, and eyes (may burn).
• If you get clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide gel in any of these areas, rinse well with water.
• Wash your hands before and after use.
• Clean affected part before use. Make sure to dry well.
• Put a thin layer on the affected skin and rub in gently.
• Do not put on cuts, scrapes, or damaged skin.
• To gain the most benefit, do not miss doses.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Put on a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
• If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
• Do not put on 2 doses or extra doses.

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Irritation where clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide gel is used.
• Dry skin.
• Itching.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.