Clindamycin / tretinoin topical Side Effects

Some side effects of clindamycin / tretinoin topical may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA.

For the Consumer

Applies to clindamycin / tretinoin topical: topical gel

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction while taking clindamycin / tretinoin topical: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• severe redness, burning, stinging, or peeling of treat skin areas; or

• diarrhea that is watery or bloody.

Continue using this medicine and talk with your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects:

• mild itching, stinging, or dryness of treated skin;

• temporary lightening or darkening of treated skin; or

• stuffy nose, sore throat, cough.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to clindamycin / tretinoin topical: topical gel

Local

Local side effects including skin erythema, scaling, itching, burning, and stinging have been reported.

Respiratory

Respiratory side effects including nasopharyngitis, pharyngolaryngeal pain, cough, and sinusitis have been reported in greater than 1% of patients.

Dermatologic

Dermatologic side effects including dry skin have been reported in greater than 1% of patients.

Other

Other side effects have included one case of ringing in the ear and partial hearing loss believed to be caused by clindamycin.

A 14-year-old boy developed reproducible ringing in his right ear and hearing loss while using topical clindamycin and after discontinuing use. He underwent a complete physical exam and labs which failed to find a cause for his symptoms. The patient was restarted on benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin topical and the ringing in his ear increased. He was told to stop all medications and was started on methylprednisolone. The tinnitus decreased in 1 to 2 days with no improvement in the hearing deficit. After the third time he was restarted on benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin gel, the tinnitus returned at an increased level together with right-sided headaches within 1 to 2 days. The patient again stopped using the benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin gel and the tinnitus returned to a low level over 1 to 2 days. It is believed that the clindamycin component played a part in this patient's tinnitus and hearing loss.

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