Two medicines, side by side
Benzoyl peroxide vs clindamycin
Benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin are both labeled for acne. Drugs@FDA records approvals of benzoyl peroxide since 2022 and of clindamycin since 1970. Pharmacies paid $0.0469 per gram (Benzoyl peroxide 10% wash) and $0.137 per gram (Clindamycin ph 1% gel) (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. Only the clindamycin label carries a boxed warning.
Check it at the source: the benzoyl peroxide FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 31, 2026); the clindamycin FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 10, 2026).
Highlights of the benzoyl peroxide record
Benzoyl peroxide (Epsolay) · label of July 31, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsfor the treatment of acne
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- April 22, 2022
- Generic labelers
- none listed
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0469 per gram
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
Highlights of the clindamycin record
Clindamycin (Cleocin) · label of March 10, 2026
Clostridioides difficile -associated diarrhea (CDAD) has been reported with use of nearly all antibacterial agents, including clindamycin hydrochloride and may range in severity from mild diarrhea to fatal colitis. Treatment with antibacterial agents alters the normal flora of the colon, leading to overgrowth of C. difficile.
Used for
From the label: indicationsClindamycin is indicated in the treatment of serious infections caused by susceptible anaerobic bacteria. Clindamycin is also indicated in the treatment of serious infections due to susceptible strains of streptococci, pneumococci, and staphylococci. Its use should be reserved for penicillin-allergic patients or other patients for whom, in the judgment of the physician, a penicillin is inappropriate. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- February 22, 1970
- Generic labelers
- 60 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.137 per gram
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- In shortage
- Recalls
- 24
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Benzoyl peroxide label of July 31, 2026, Clindamycin label of March 10, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin differ on the record?
Only the clindamycin label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: benzoyl peroxide none approved; clindamycin since 1982 (Drugs@FDA).
| Benzoyl peroxide | Clindamycin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Acne | Bacterial infections, Acne |
| Pharmacologic class | n/a | Lincosamide Antibacterial |
| How it works (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | Excretion The average biological half-life is 2.4 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | April 22, 2022 | February 22, 1970 |
| First generic approved | none | February 8, 1982 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | none listed | 60 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0469 per gram (Benzoyl peroxide 10% wash) | $0.137 per gram (Clindamycin ph 1% gel) |
| 12-month price change | +5% | -10% |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | In shortage |
| Recalls recorded | 0 | 24 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 6,709 | 8,968 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to benzoyl peroxide
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions