Generally effective for treatment of mild to moderate inflammatory acne.
May induce bacterial resistance when used as monotherapy; resistance associated with decreased clinical efficacy.
Particularly useful when used in combination with benzoyl peroxide or topical retinoids; reduction in total lesion count of 50–70% reported when combination therapy used.
Bacterial Vaginosis
Treatment of bacterial vaginosis (formerly called Haemophilusvaginitis, Gardnerella vaginitis, nonspecific vaginitis, Corynebacterium vaginitis, or anaerobic vaginosis).
CDC recommends treatment of bacterial vaginosis in all symptomatic women (including pregnant women). In addition, asymptomatic pregnant women at high risk for complications of pregnancy should be screened (preferably at the first prenatal visit) and treatment initiated if needed.
Treatment recommendations for bacterial vaginosis in HIV-infected women are the same as those for women without HIV infection.
Regimens of choice in nonpregnant women are a 7-day regimen of oral metronidazole; a 5-day regimen of intravaginal metronidazole gel; or a 7-day regimen of intravaginal clindamycin cream; alternative regimens are a 7-day regimen of oral clindamycin or 3-day regimen of intravaginal clindamycin suppositories. The preferred regimens for pregnant women are a 7-day regimen of oral metronidazole or oral clindamycin.
Regardless of regimen used, relapse or recurrence is common; an alternative regimen (e.g., oral therapy when topical was used initially) may be used in such situations.
Routine treatment of asymptomatic male sexual contacts of women who have relapsing or recurrent bacterial vaginosis not recommended.
Dosage and Administration
Administration
Administer topically to the skin or intravaginally in appropriate formulations.
Topical skin preparations are for external use only and should not be used orally, intravaginally, or near or in eyes or mucous membranes.
Intravaginal preparations are for intravaginal administration only and should not be used orally, topically on the skin, or near or in eyes.
Topical Administration
Apply topically to the skin as a gel, lotion, or solution containing clindamycin 1% or as a gel containing clindamycin 1% in combination with benzoyl peroxide 5%. Apply to all areas of skin prone to acne.
Do not use near eyes, nose, mouth, or other mucous membranes.
Shake lotion well immediately prior to use.
Remove solution-containing pledgets from their foil immediately before use; do not use if seal is broken. Use each pledget only once and then discard; may use more than 1 pledget for each application if needed to cover the affected area.
Reconstitution
BenzaClin®
Prepare BenzaClin® topical gel containing clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide at the time of dispensing.
Reconstitute vial containing clindamycin powder by adding 5 mL of purified water and shaking immediately to completely dissolve the drug; if needed, add additional purified water to bring level up to the mark on the vial.
Add the reconstituted clindamycin solution to the benzyl peroxide gel provided by the manufacturer; stir until homogenous in appearance (1 to 1.5 minutes).
Duac®
Duac® topical gel containing clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide does not need reconstitution and is used as provided by the manufacturer.
Intravaginal Topical Administration
Administer intravaginally as a cream containing clindamycin 2% or as 100-mg vaginal suppositories.
Dosage
Pediatric Patients
Acne Vulgaris
Maintenance therapy needed to prevent recurrence.
Single-entity Clindamycin Preparations
Topical
Children ≥12 years of age: apply a thin film of gel, lotion, or solution to the cleansed affected area twice daily.
Clindamycin and Benzoyl Peroxide Combination Preparations
Topical
Children ≥12 years of age: apply a thin film of BenzaClin® gel to the cleansed affected area twice daily (morning and evening) or as directed by clinician.
Children ≥12 years of age: apply a thin film of Duac® gel to the cleansed affected areas once daily in the evening or as directed by clinician.
Bacterial Vaginosis
Treatment in Nonpregnant Postmenarchal Females
Intravaginal
Clindesse® vaginal cream: One applicatorful (single dose).
Vaginal suppositories: 1 suppository daily (preferably at bedtime) for 3 days.
Adults
Acne Vulgaris
Maintenance therapy needed to prevent recurrence.
Treatment with Single-entity Clindamycin Preparations
Topical
Apply a thin film of gel, lotion, or solution to the cleansed affected area twice daily.
Treatment with Clindamycin and Benzoyl Peroxide Combination Preparations
Topical
BenzaClin® gel: apply a thin film to the cleansed affected area twice daily (morning and evening) or as directed by clinician.
Duac® gel: apply a thin film to the cleansed affected areas once daily in the evening or as directed by clinician.
Bacterial Vaginosis
Treatment in Nonpregnant Women
Intravaginal
Cleocin® vaginal cream: 1 applicatorful once daily (preferably at bedtime) for 3 or 7 consecutive days. CDC recommends a 7-day regimen.
Clindesse® vaginal cream: One applicatorful (single dose).
Vaginal suppositories: 1 suppository once daily (preferably at bedtime) for 3 consecutive days.
Treatment in Pregnant Women
Intravaginal
Vaginal cream: 1 applicatorful once daily (preferably at bedtime) for 7 consecutive days.
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