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Topical Clindamycin

For a limited area of the body, such as the face, a few weeks or months of clindamycin lotion can help jump-start the clearance of acne. Topical clindamycin is also available as solution, gel, and swabs; however, the lotion is a nice choice for most patients, since it is moisturizing. I don’t routine recommend the use of oral clindamycin for the treatment of acne, as there can be serious side effects of this antibiotic when taken orally. Also, I rarely recommend using it on the entire face, chest, shoulders, and back at the same time because the drug can be absorbed to a significant degree if used on a large enough body surface area.

There are drugs that combine benzoyl peroxide with topical clindamycin. Others combine topical clindamycin with a retinoid. If you are seeing a physician for the treatment of acne, he or she can help you decide if topical clindamycin will be component of your anti-acne regimen. Of note, topical clindamycin is generally considered safe for pregnant and breast-feeding patients.