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Clindamycin and Tretinoin: Uses, Side Effects and Dosage

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Prescription (Rx)
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10 mg/g, 0.25 mg/g
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Source: FDA drug labeling via NLM DailyMed · About this document

Patient information: uses, side effects, how to take - Clindamycin and Tretinoin

What is clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel?

Clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel is prescription medicine used on the skin to treat acne in people 12 years and older.

It is not known if clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel is safe and effective in children under 12 years of age.

Who should not use clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel?

Do not use clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel if you have:

  • Crohn’s disease
  • ulcerative colitis
  • had inflammation of the colon (colitis) with past antibiotic use

Talk to your doctor if you are not sure if you have one of these conditions.

What should I tell my doctor before using clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel?

Before using clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel, tell your doctor if you:

  • have any allergies
  • plan to have surgery with general anesthesia. One of the medicines in clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel can affect how certain anesthesia medicines work.
  • have any other medical conditions

  • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel may harm your unborn baby.

  • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel passes into your breast milk. One of the medicines in clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel contains clindamycin. When clindamycin is taken by mouth or injection, it may pass into breast milk. You and your doctor should decide if you will take clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel or breastfeed. You should not do both.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines and skin products you use. Especially tell your doctor if you take medicine that contains erythromycin. Clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel should not be used with products that contain erythromycin.

Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of your medicines and show it to your doctor and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

How should I use clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel?

  • Use clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel exactly as prescribed.
  • Your doctor will tell you how long to use clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel.
  • Do not apply clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel more than one time each day.
  • Do not use too much clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel, because it may irritate your skin.

Instructions for applying clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel:

  • At bedtime, wash your face gently with a mild soap; rinse with water.
  • Pat the skin dry.
  • Squeeze a pea-sized amount of medication onto one fingertip. Then, gently rub over the entire affected area. Do not get clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel in your eyes, mouth, or on your lips.

What should I avoid while using clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel?

  • Limit your time in sunlight. Avoid using tanning beds or sun lamps. If you have to be in sunlight, wear a wide-brimmed hat or other protective clothing. Apply a sunscreen every morning and re-apply during the day as needed.
  • Avoid wind and cold weather during treatment with clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel. These may be irritating to your skin.
  • Avoid using abrasive soaps and cleansers. These may cause increased skin irritation with clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel.

What are the possible side effects of clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel?

Clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel may cause serious side effects, including:

  • Inflammation of the colon (colitis). Clindamycin, one of the ingredients in clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel, can cause severe colitis that may lead to death. Stop taking clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel and call your doctor if you develop severe watery diarrhea, or bloody diarrhea.
  • Sunburn. Clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel may cause your skin to become sunburned more easily. If your face is sunburned, do not use clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel until your sunburn is completely healed. Tretinoin, one of the medicines in clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel, makes your skin more sensitive to sunlight. See “What should I avoid while using clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel?”

Common side effects of clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel include:

  • Skin irritation. Clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel may cause skin irritation such as dryness, peeling, burning, or itching.

Talk to your doctor about any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

These are not all the side effects with clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

How should I store Clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel?

  • Store Clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel at room temperature, between 59°F to 86°F (15°C to 30°C).
  • Protect from freezing.
  • Keep clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel away from heat and light.
  • Keep clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel and all medicines out of the reach of children.

General information about clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel

Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in the patient information leaflet. Do not use Clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel to other people, even if they have the same symptoms you have. It may harm them.

This patient information leaflet summarizes the most important information about clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel. If you would like more information, talk with your doctor. You can also ask your pharmacist or doctor for information about clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel that is written for healthcare professionals. For more information call 1-833-285-4151.

What are the ingredients in clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel?

Active Ingredients: clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin

Inactive ingredients: anhydrous citric acid, butylated hydroxytoluene, carbomer homopolymer (type C), edetate disodium, laureth 4, methylparaben, propylene glycol, purified water, and tromethamine.

This Patient Information has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Manufactured by:

Encube Ethicals Private Limited,

Plot No C-1, Madkaim Industrial Estate, Ponda, Goa 403404, India.

Distributed by:

Encube Ethicals, Inc.,

200 Meredith Drive, Suite 202, Durham, North Carolina (NC) 27713, United States (USA).

Rev. 03/23

About this document

Source: FDA drug labeling via NLM DailyMed · Application number: ANDA 216943 · View the label on DailyMed

Revision date stated in the text: March 2023

Found a mistake? Write to us via the contact page.

The information on this site does not replace the advice of a doctor or pharmacist.

Drug information for Clindamycin and Tretinoin

Rx or OTC
Prescription (Rx)?
  • This drug is available only with a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider.
  • Rx
Drug class Lincosamide Antibacterial, Retinoid
Active ingredients Clindamycin phosphate 10 mg/g, Tretinoin 0.25 mg/g
Dosage form Gel
Route Topical
Marketing status listed in the FDA NDC Directory
Company (applicant) ENCUBE
FDA approval ANDA 216943Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) – generic drug Approved September 1, 2023
Therapeutic equivalence (TE) code AB2Codes starting with A mean the FDA rates the drug therapeutically equivalent to its reference drug (Orange Book).
Generics Veltin, Ziana with the same TE code
Manufacturers 4 labelers list this drug on DailyMed
Packages (NDC)
Package
10 mg/g, 0.25 mg/g – 30 g in 1 tube / 1 in 1 carton NDC 21922-050-05
10 mg/g, 0.25 mg/g – 60 g in 1 tube / 1 in 1 carton NDC 21922-050-07

Source: FDA drug labeling via NLM DailyMed, data as of October 31, 2026. FDA data (DailyMed, Orange Book, Drug Shortages, enforcement reports). Not a substitute for the advice of a doctor or pharmacist.