clindamycin topical
Brand names: Cleocin T, Clindagel
Clindamycin topical (Cleocin T) is a medicine you put on your skin to treat acne. It helps to kill the bacteria that cause acne.
Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Brand Price
$0.76/unit
Generic Available
Yes (2 manufacturers)
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective July 17, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
Clindamycin topical is used to treat acne.
Common side effects
Burning, Itching, Dryness
Key warnings
Clindamycin, when taken orally or by injection, can cause severe diarrhea, including bloody diarrhea, and colitis.
How It Works
Clindamycin is an antibiotic. It works by stopping the growth of bacteria. This helps to reduce inflammation and clear up acne.
How to Take It
Apply a thin layer of the solution, gel, or lotion to the affected area twice a day. If using the pledget, use only one pledget each time. Throw the pledget away after you use it once. If you are using the lotion, shake the bottle well before using it.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before using this medicine. It is not known if clindamycin topical can harm your unborn baby or pass into breast milk.
Missed Dose
Apply the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule.
Storage
Store at room temperature between 68° to 77°F (20° to 25°C). Do not freeze. Keep away from heat, sparks, and open flames.
Serious Warnings
Clindamycin, when taken orally or by injection, can cause severe diarrhea, including bloody diarrhea, and colitis. While rare with the topical form, tell your doctor right away if you develop diarrhea while using this medicine.
Known Drug Interactions
Drug Interactions Clindamycin has been shown to have neuromuscular blocking properties that may enhance the action of other neuromuscular blocking agents.
Mechanism: Clindamycin can increase the effects of drugs used to relax muscles during surgery. This could make the muscle-relaxing effect stronger or last longer than intended.
What to do: Tell your doctor or surgeon if you are using clindamycin before having any medical procedures. They may need to monitor your muscle recovery more closely.
Common Questions
Can I use this medicine if I am allergic to clindamycin or lincomycin?
Can I use this medicine if I have had bowel problems?
Is it okay to smoke while applying the topical solution?
Can I use other acne treatments with this medicine?
What should I do if I get this medicine in my eyes?
Can I use a bandage over the treated area?
How long will it take to see improvement in my acne?
What if my skin becomes very irritated?
Can this medicine interact with other medications I am taking?
What other side effects are possible?
What are the common side effects of clindamycin topical?
Does clindamycin topical interact with other medications?
What drug class is clindamycin topical?
Is clindamycin topical safe during pregnancy?
Related Medications in Topical Antibiotic
Other drugs grouped near clindamycin topical — same-class peers and common alternatives.
adapalene
Differin
Adapalene and benzoyl peroxide gel is a medicine used on the skin to treat acne.
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apremilast
Otezla
Apremilast (Otezla/Otezla XR) is a medicine that can help adults and children manage psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis.
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azelaic acid
Finacea, Azelex
Azelaic acid gel is a topical medicine that helps treat rosacea.
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benzoyl peroxide
Benzac, PanOxyl
Benzoyl peroxide is a topical medicine that fights germs on your skin.
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betamethasone
Diprosone, Luxiq
Betamethasone dipropionate cream is a strong steroid medicine used on the skin.
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What the FDA Data Shows for clindamycin topical
The FDA label for clindamycin topical (sold under brand names such as Cleocin T, Clindagel) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Topical Antibiotic class. Clindamycin topical is used to treat acne. Official labeling lists 5 commonly reported side effects, including Burning, Itching, Dryness.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. Voluntary reports accumulate over the lifetime of a drug and reflect wide-ranging clinical use. The database also lists 1 documented drug interaction derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated minor severity. NADAC pricing from CMS.
Report counts do not establish causation — a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: November 24, 2025
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book — approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed — NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) — post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm — standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files — federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database — current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages