Medicines labeled for the same conditions
Alternatives to clindamycin and tretinoin
11 other medicines are given the same way (topical) and in the same FDA class as clindamycin and tretinoin or labeled mainly for the same use (acne); 4 are in its class, lincosamide antibacterials: adapalene, adapalene and benzoyl peroxide, tazarotene and trifarotene; the others include 1 sulfone, 1 macrolide and 1 androgen receptor inhibitor (FDA labels read October 8, 2026). In the same class, the lowest pharmacy cost is $0.504 per gram (Adapalene 0.3% gel) (what pharmacies paid in the NADAC survey; strengths differ).
Which medicines are labeled for the same conditions as clindamycin and tretinoin?
Acne lists all 26 medicines labeled for it, by any route. Each row shows the conditions both labels name. They are listed as public records, not as substitutes: whether one can replace another depends on the person and is a prescriber's decision.
| Medicine and FDA class | Shared indication | Generic labelers (topical) | Pharmacy cost | Boxed warning | Shortage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clindamycin and tretinoinlincosamide antibacterial | this medicine | 3 labelers | $3.91 per gram 1.2%-0.025% | No | No current entry |
| Adapaleneretinoid · same class | Acne | 34 labelers | $0.504 per gram 0.3% gel | No | No current entry |
| Adapalene and benzoyl peroxideretinoid · same class | Acne | 11 labelers | $0.626 per gram 0.3-2.5% | No | No current entry |
| Tazaroteneretinoid · same class | Acne | 6 labelers | $6.11 per gram 0.1% gel | No | No current entry |
| Trifaroteneretinoid · same class | Acne | none listed | $16.36 per gram 0.005% cream | No | No current entry |
| Salicylic acid | Acne | none listed | $0.102 per patch Callus removers patch | No | No current entry |
| Benzoyl peroxide | Acne | none listed | $0.0469 per gram 10% wash | No | No current entry |
| Sulfur | Acne | none listed | n/a | No | No current entry |
| Dapsonesulfone | Acne | 16 labelers | $0.664 per gram 5% gel | No | A presentation being discontinued |
| Azelaic acid | Acne | 5 labelers | $0.441 per gram 15% gel | No | No current entry |
| Benzoyl peroxide and erythromycinmacrolide | Acne | 1 labeler | $1.32 per gram Erythromycin-benzoyl gel | No | No current entry |
| Clascoteroneandrogen receptor inhibitor | Acne | none listed | $10.00 per gram 1% cream | No | No current entry |
Source: FDA drug labels (indications) via openFDA; FDA NDC Directory; CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026; FDA Drug Shortage Database (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What do pharmacies pay for each?
The headline NADAC price per unit of each medicine's most widely listed form; strengths differ, so compare like with like on each record.
Source: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC) survey, October 7, 2026: what retail pharmacies paid per unit; not a counter price
What next?
- Clindamycin and tretinoin: the full record
- label, generics, price, shortages, recalls