Cabtreo

Pronunciation: kab-TREE-oh
Generic name: clindamycin phosphate 1.2%, adapalene 0.15%, and benzoyl peroxide 3.1%
Dosage form: topical gel
Drug class: Topical acne agents

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Oct 24, 2023.

What is Cabtreo?

Cabtreo is a triple combination topical gel that contains clindamycin phosphate, adapalene, and benzoyl peroxide which may be used to treat acne in adults and children aged 12 and older.

• Clindamycin phosphate is a semi-synthetic antibiotic with activity against Cutibacterium acnes, a bacteria associated with acne
• Adapalene is a synthetic retinoid that can help restore skin tone and texture and reduce inflammation
• Benzoyl peroxide is an oxidizing agent with bactericidal and keratolytic effects.

Cabtreo should only be used for acne on the skin. It should not be used in the mouth, eyes, or vagina.

Cabtreo was FDA-approved on October 20, 2023, making it the first triple combination treatment to be approved for acne.

Warnings

Do not use in people with a known hypersensitivity to clindamycin, adapalene, benzoyl peroxide, any of the components of the formulation, or lincomycin. May cause hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, angioedema, and urticaria. If a serious hypersensitivity reaction occurs, discontinue Cabtreo immediately and contact your healthcare provider.

Should not be used in people with a history of colon inflammation (such as regional enteritis, or ulcerative colitis), or severe diarrhea with past antibiotic use. Clindamycin can cause severe colitis, which may result in death. Discontinue if diarrhea occurs.

Cabtreo may cause photosensitivity. Avoid or minimize exposure to sunlight and sunlamps. Wear sunscreen and protective clothing if you cannot avoid exposure to the sun.

May cause skin irritation and allergic contact dermatitis with symptoms such as redness, scaling, dryness, stinging, or burning. Discontinue use if this persists.

Before taking this medicine

Tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you:

• plan to have surgery because it may affect how certain medicines work during surgery
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Pregnancy

It is not known if Cabtreo will harm an unborn baby and animal studies have not been conducted. Talk to your doctor about the risks versus benefits of using Cabtreo during pregnancy.

Breastfeeding

It is not known if Cabtreo passes into your breast milk, but oral and IV clindamycin have been reported to appear in breast milk. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby when using Cabtreo. If you use it while breastfeeding, use it on the smallest area of skin and for the shortest time needed. Do not apply directly to the nipple and areola to avoid getting it into your baby’s mouth and avoid direct skin contact with your baby if it is applied to your chest.

How should I use Cabtreo?

Use exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to.

• Before you apply Cabtreo, wash your face gently with a mild or soap-less cleanser, rinse with warm water, and pat your skin dry.
• Use once a day, at around the same time each day. Apply a thin layer over the area of acne to be treated.
• Avoid the eyes, mouth, paranasal creases, mucous membranes, and areas of broken, eczematous, or sunburned skin. Do not use it in the mouth, eyes, or vagina.
• Wash your hands right away after applying.

Dosage

Use once a day.

• Wash and dry your face.
• Use the pump to dispense a pea-sized amount onto your fingertip. Dot this onto six areas of your face (chin, left/right cheek, nose, left/right forehead).
• Spread the gel gently over your entire face (avoiding the eyes, nasal passages, and mouth).
• Wash your hands.

Related/similar drugs

doxycycline, clindamycin topical, erythromycin topical, tetracycline, Tazorac

What happens if I miss a dose?

Apply the missed dose as soon as you remember, but do not apply it more than once a day. If it is almost time for your next application of Cabtreo, just wait and apply it as per your usual schedule.

What should I avoid during treatment with Cabtreo?

Cabtreo can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight or artificial UV light, and you could develop severe sunburn. Avoid, cover-up, or limit your time in sunlight. Use sunscreen and wear a wide-brimmed hat and clothes that cover the treated area of your skin if you have to be in sunlight. Avoid using tanning beds or sunlamps during treatment.

Cold weather and wind may irritate skin treated with Cabtreo.

Do not apply to areas with skin problems, including cuts, abrasions, sunburn, or eczema.

Avoid using skin products that may dry or irritate your skin such as medicated or harsh soaps, astringents, cosmetics that make your skin dry, and products containing high levels of alcohol, spices, or limes.

Avoid “waxing” as a hair removal method on skin treated with Cabtreo

Cabtreo may bleach hair or colored fabric. Avoid getting it in your hair or on colored fabric.

What are the side effects of Cabtreo?

Cabtreo may cause serious side effects, including:

• Allergic reactions. Stop using the gel, and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms during treatment: hives, rash, or severe itching; swelling of your face, eyes, lips, tongue, or throat; trouble breathing or throat tightness; feeling faint, dizzy, or lightheaded
• Inflammation of the colon (colitis). Stop using the gel and call your healthcare provider right away if you have severe stomach (abdominal) cramps, watery diarrhea, or bloody diarrhea during treatment, and within several weeks after treatment with Cabtreo
• Sensitivity to sunlight.

The most common side effects occurring in >1% of Cabtreo-treated patients were skin reactions, including redness, scaling, dryness, stinging, burning, itching, peeling, and swelling. These are more likely to happen during the first 4 weeks of treatment and usually lessen with continued use.

Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that bother you or that do not go away.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Drug interactions

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Tell your healthcare provider if you take medicine by mouth that contains erythromycin or use products on your skin that contain erythromycin. Cabtreo should not be used with products that contain erythromycin.

Use with caution in patients receiving neuromuscular blocking agents.

Also, tell your healthcare provider about any skin products you use. Other skin and topical acne products may increase the irritation of your skin when used with Cabtreo.

Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show to your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine. See the prescribing information for a full list of interactions.

Storage

Store at room temperature at or below 77°F (25°C).

Do not freeze. Keep away from heat.

Store the pump upright.

Throw away (discard) Cabtreo that has passed the expiration date.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Ingredients

Active ingredients: 1.2% clindamycin phosphate, 0.15% adapalene, and 3.1% benzoyl peroxide.

Inactive ingredients: carbomer homopolymer type C (carbomer 980), potassium hydroxide, propylene glycol, and purified water.

Supplied in 20-gram and 50-gram pumps.

Manufacturer

Bausch Health Companies, Inc.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer