Two medicines, side by side
Clindamycin vs salicylic acid
Clindamycin and salicylic acid are both labeled for acne. Pharmacies paid $0.137 per gram (Clindamycin ph 1% gel) and $0.102 per callus removers patch (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 clindamycin FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 10, 2026); the salicylic acid FDA label on DailyMed (effective October 22, 2024).
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
Highlights of the salicylic acid record
Salicylic acid · label of October 22, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationsFor the treatment of acne.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- n/a
- Generic labelers
- none listed
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.102 per patch
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 1
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Clindamycin label of March 10, 2026, Salicylic acid label of October 22, 2024); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do clindamycin and salicylic acid differ on the record?
Only the clindamycin label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: clindamycin since 1982; salicylic acid none approved (Drugs@FDA).
| Clindamycin | Salicylic acid | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bacterial infections, Acne | Acne, Pain, Psoriasis |
| Pharmacologic class | Lincosamide Antibacterial | n/a |
| How it works (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | Excretion The average biological half-life is 2.4 hours. | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | February 22, 1970 | n/a |
| First generic approved | February 8, 1982 | none |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 60 labelers | none listed |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.137 per gram (Clindamycin ph 1% gel) | $0.102 per patch (Callus removers patch) |
| 12-month price change | -10% | +10% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | No |
| Shortage now | In shortage | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 24 | 1 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 8,968 | 52,581 |
| 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 clindamycin
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions