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Combination of | |||
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Benzoyl peroxide | Antiseptic | ||
Clindamycin phosphate | Antibiotic | ||
Clinical data | |||
Trade names | Duac, BenzaClin, Onexton, Acanya | ||
AHFS/Drugs.com | benzaclin | ||
MedlinePlus | a603021 | ||
License data | |||
Pregnancy category |
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Routes of administration |
Topical (gel) | ||
ATC code | |||
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Identifiers | |||
PubChem SID | |||
KEGG | |||
(what is this?) |
The drug combination benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin is a topical gel used for the treatment of acne. It is sold under the trade names Duac (by Stiefel Labs) and BenzaClin (by Sanofi Aventis). Both contain 1% clindamycin phosphate, an antibiotic, and 5% benzoyl peroxide, an antiseptic. Another brand is Onexton (by Valeant) with 1.2% clindamycin phosphate and 3.75% benzoyl peroxide. All formulations are prescription drugs.
Common side effects include peeling, itching, and dryness of the skin where the gel was applied.
The gel is used on the skin to treat light to medium acne vulgaris in people 12 years and older. BenzaClin is to be applied twice daily, and Duac and Onexton are once-a-day medications. Continued use beyond 12-weeks has not been studied.
In a clinical study in 253 people showed a 60% reduction of inflammatory acne by week 12 on average. The study also showed an average 52% decrease in whiteheads and blackheads by week 12, on average.
A 2010 meta-analysis found this combination less effective than benzoyl peroxide/salicylic acid after short-term treatment of two to four weeks, but the two treatments showed similar effectiveness after ten to twelve weeks.
Currently, studies on whether or not the use of benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin gels is teratogenic or has adverse effects on nursing infants has not been performed. While oral clindamycin passes into breast milk, no such data are available for clindamyin in gel form. Limited data regarding topical benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin have shown no safety problems.
The gel is not recommended for those who are allergic to clindamycin, benzoyl peroxide, any components of the formulation, or lincomycin. Individuals previously diagnosed with regional enteritis, ulcerative colitis, or antibiotic-associated colitis are also recommended not to use it.