Dosing & Uses
Dosage Forms & Strengths
clindamycin/tretinoin
gel
- 1.2%/0.025%
Acne Vulgaris
Apply pea-sized amount to entire face qHS
Dosage Forms & Strengths
clindamycin/tretinoin
gel
- 1.2%/0.025%
Acne Vulgaris
<12 years old: Safety and efficacy not established
≥12 years: Apply pea-sized amount to entire face qHS
Interactions
Interaction Checker
No Results

Contraindicated
Serious - Use Alternative
Significant - Monitor Closely
Minor

Contraindicated (0)
Serious - Use Alternative (34)
- aminolevulinic acid oral
aminolevulinic acid oral, tretinoin topical. Either increases toxicity of the other by pharmacodynamic synergism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Avoid administering other phototoxic drugs with aminolevulinic acid oral for 24 hr during perioperative period.
- aminolevulinic acid topical
tretinoin topical, aminolevulinic acid topical. Either increases toxicity of the other by pharmacodynamic synergism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Each drug may increase the photosensitizing effect of the other.
- bendroflumethiazide
bendroflumethiazide, tretinoin topical. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Increased phototoxicity.
- chlorothiazide
chlorothiazide, tretinoin topical. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Increased phototoxicity.
- chlorpromazine
chlorpromazine, tretinoin topical. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Increased phototoxicity.
- chlorthalidone
chlorthalidone, tretinoin topical. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Increased phototoxicity.
- ciprofloxacin
ciprofloxacin, tretinoin topical. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Both drugs have increased risk of phototoxicity, use caution with concomitant use.
- cyclopenthiazide
cyclopenthiazide, tretinoin topical. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Increased phototoxicity.
- demeclocycline
demeclocycline, tretinoin topical. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Increased phototoxicity.
- doxycycline
doxycycline, tretinoin topical. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Increased phototoxicity.
- fleroxacin
fleroxacin, tretinoin topical. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Increased phototoxicity.
- fluphenazine
fluphenazine, tretinoin topical. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Increased phototoxicity.
- gemifloxacin
gemifloxacin, tretinoin topical. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Increased phototoxicity.
- hydrochlorothiazide
hydrochlorothiazide, tretinoin topical. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Increased phototoxicity.
- indapamide
indapamide, tretinoin topical. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Increased phototoxicity.
- levofloxacin
levofloxacin, tretinoin topical. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Increased phototoxicity.
- methotrexate
methotrexate, tretinoin topical. Either increases toxicity of the other by pharmacodynamic synergism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Additive hepatotoxicity.
- methyclothiazide
methyclothiazide, tretinoin topical. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Increased phototoxicity.
- methyl aminolevulinate
tretinoin topical, methyl aminolevulinate. Either increases toxicity of the other by pharmacodynamic synergism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Each drug may increase the photosensitizing effect of the other.
- metolazone
metolazone, tretinoin topical. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Increased phototoxicity.
- minocycline
minocycline, tretinoin topical. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Increased phototoxicity.
- moxifloxacin
moxifloxacin, tretinoin topical. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Increased phototoxicity.
- ofloxacin
ofloxacin, tretinoin topical. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Increased phototoxicity.
- oxytetracycline
oxytetracycline, tretinoin topical. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Increased phototoxicity.
- perphenazine
perphenazine, tretinoin topical. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Increased phototoxicity.
- prochlorperazine
prochlorperazine, tretinoin topical. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Increased phototoxicity.
- promazine
promazine, tretinoin topical. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Increased phototoxicity.
- promethazine
promethazine, tretinoin topical. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Increased phototoxicity.
- sulfadiazine
sulfadiazine, tretinoin topical. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Increased phototoxicity.
- sulfamethoxazole
sulfamethoxazole, tretinoin topical. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Increased phototoxicity.
- sulfisoxazole
sulfisoxazole, tretinoin topical. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Increased phototoxicity.
- tetracycline
tetracycline, tretinoin topical. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Increased phototoxicity.
- thioridazine
thioridazine, tretinoin topical. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Increased phototoxicity.
- trifluoperazine
trifluoperazine, tretinoin topical. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Increased phototoxicity.
Monitor Closely (3)
- mifepristone
mifepristone will increase the level or effect of tretinoin topical by Other (see comment). Use Caution/Monitor. Inhibits CYP2C8/2C9; use smallest recommended doses for substrates and monitor
- porfimer
tretinoin topical will increase the level or effect of porfimer by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor. May enhance the photosensitizing effects of porfimer
- stiripentol
stiripentol will increase the level or effect of tretinoin topical by Other (see comment). Modify Therapy/Monitor Closely. Stiripentol is a CYP2C8 inhibitor. Consider dosage reduction for CYP2C8 substrates if adverse effects are experienced when coadministered.
Minor (2)
- ketoconazole
ketoconazole increases levels of tretinoin topical by decreasing metabolism. Minor/Significance Unknown.
- levoketoconazole
levoketoconazole increases levels of tretinoin topical by decreasing metabolism. Minor/Significance Unknown.
Adverse Effects
>10%
Erythema (21-35%)
Scaling (13-19%)
Itching (15-17%)
1-10%
Dryness (6%)
Irritation (5%)
Exfoliation (5%)
Erythema (4%)
Pruritus (2%)
Stinging (2%)
Burning (2%)
Sunburn (1%)
Dermatitis (1%)
Warnings
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to clindamycin or lincomycin or any of its components
History of regional enteritis, ulcerative colitis or antibiotic-associated colitis (including pseudomembranous colitis)
Cautions
Systemic absorption of clindamycin has been demonstrated following topical use; discontinue immediately if significant diarrhea occurs
May cause irritation, especially when used with concomitant topical acne therapy including peeling, desquamating, or abrasive agents
Should be used with caution in atopic individuals
For external use only; avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes; not for oral, ophthalmic or intravaginal use
Avoid sunlight/UV exposure; wear sunscreen daily
Do not use with erythromycin-containing products
Coadministration with topical agents with drying effect can increase skin irriation; caution advised
Clindamycin can cause severe colitis; discontinue if significant diarrhea occurs
Pregnancy & Lactation
Pregnancy Category: C
Lactation: excretion in milk unknown; use with caution
Pregnancy Categories
A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.
B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk. C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done. D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk. X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist. NA: Information not available.Pharmacology
Mechanism of Action
Clindamycin: Antibacterial agent that binds to the 50S ribosomal subunits of susceptible bacteria and prevents elongation of peptide chains by interfering with peptidyl transfer, thereby suppressing protein synthesis; reduces surface fatty acids on skin; exact mechanism of action in treating acne unknown
Tretinoin: Exact mechanism unknown; appears to cohesiveness of follicular epithelial cells with decrease microcomedo formation; also increases turnover of follicular cells to cause extrusion of comedones
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Formulary
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