Consumer Drug Information

Duac Gel

Generic Name: Clindamycin/Benzoyl Peroxide Gel (60-Day Storage) (KLIN-da-MYE-sin/BEN-zoe-il per-OX-ide)
Brand Name: Duac

Duac Gel is used for:

Treating severe acne.

Duac Gel is an antibiotic and drying agent combination. It works by killing the bacteria associated with acne.

Do NOT use Duac Gel if:

you are allergic to any ingredient in Duac Gel or to lincomycin
you have a history of Crohn disease, severe stomach or bowel problems (eg, pseudomembranous colitis, regional enteritis, ulcerative colitis), or stomach or bowel inflammation caused by antibiotic use
you are using a product that contains erythromycin

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Duac Gel:

Some medical conditions may interact with Duac Gel. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
if you have stomach or bowel problems
if you are using other medicines on the skin

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Duac Gel. Because little, if any, of Duac Gel is absorbed into the blood, the risk of it interacting with another medicine is low.

Ask your health care provider if Duac Gel may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Duac Gel:

Use Duac Gel as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

Use Duac Gel on a regular schedule to get the most benefit from it.
Before applying Duac Gel to the affected areas, gently wash and rinse the skin with warm water and pat dry. Apply a thin film of medicine to the affected skin and rub in as directed by your doctor. Wash your hands immediately after using Duac Gel.
Continue to use Duac Gel even if your condition improves. Do not miss any doses.
If you miss a dose of Duac Gel, use it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not use 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Duac Gel.

Important safety information:

Duac Gel is for external use only. Avoid contact with the eyes, nose, mouth, and other mucous membranes. If you get Duac Gel in any of these areas, rinse them right away with cool water.
Duac Gel may bleach hair or colored fabric. Avoid getting Duac Gel in your hair or on your clothes.
Duac Gel may cause you to become sunburned more easily. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Duac Gel. Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time.
If your symptoms do not get better or if they get worse, check with your doctor.
Talk with your doctor before you use any other topical acne medicines or cleansers on your skin.
Do not use Duac Gel for other conditions at a later time.
Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Duac Gel before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
Long-term or repeated use of Duac Gel may cause a second infection. Tell your doctor if signs of a second infection occur. Your medicine may need to be changed to treat this.
Be sure to use Duac Gel for the full course of treatment. If you do not, the medicine may not clear up your infection completely. The bacteria could also become less sensitive to this or other medicines. This could make the infection harder to treat in the future.
If severe diarrhea, stomach pain or cramping, or bloody stools develop during treatment or within several months after treatment with Duac Gel, check with your doctor or pharmacist right away. Do not treat it without first checking with your doctor.
Duac Gel should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 12 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Duac Gel while you are pregnant. It is not known if Duac Gel is found in breast milk after topical use. Do not breast-feed while using Duac Gel.

Possible side effects of Duac Gel:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Burning, dryness, or peeling of the skin.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); bloody stools; severe burning, dryness, or peeling of the skin; severe or persistent diarrhea; stomach cramps or pain.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http: / / www.aapcc.org / dnn / Resources / FindLocalPoisonCenters / tabid / 130 / Default.aspx), or emergency room immediately. Duac Gel may be harmful if swallowed.

Proper storage of Duac Gel:

Store Duac Gel at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep tightly closed. Throw away any unused portion after 2 months. Keep Duac Gel out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

If you have any questions about Duac Gel, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
Duac Gel is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Duac Gel. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: August 6, 2008

Database Edition 08.3.1.002