Clindamycin+nicotinamide
About Clindamycin+nicotinamide
Clindamycin+nicotinamide belongs to the class of antibiotics known as lincomycin antibiotics, primarily used to treat inflamed acne. It minimises the formation of excessive natural oil, known as sebum. It also reduces swelling caused by acne. Acne is a skin condition in which the oil glands (sebaceous glands) of the skin become clogged, forming pimples and sometimes cysts.
Clindamycin+nicotinamide is composed of two medicines namely: Clindamycin and Nicotinamide. Clindamycin is a lincomycin antibiotic that penetrates the skin and helps kill bacteria that cause acne. On the other hand, Nicotinamide is a form of vitamin B, which is responsible for exerting anti-inflammatory effects that are applied to the skin. Together, they help reduce swelling, redness, and tenderness caused by acne or pimples. Besides this, it also prevents the formation of pimples, blackheads and whiteheads on the skin.
Clindamycin+nicotinamide is meant for external use only. It should be applied in a sufficient quantity to cover the affected area. Wash your hands before using this medicine and after. If it accidentally comes into contact with your eyes, nose, mouth, or any other sensitive area, immediately rinse it with water. In some cases, you may experience irritation, dryness, peeling, redness and a burning sensation at the application site. Most of the side effects of Clindamycin+nicotinamide do not require medical attention and usually resolve on their own over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor. It is advised to use a skin moisturiser and drink plenty of water to prevent side effects.
Do not stop using this medicine without consulting your doctor. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Also, if you are allergic to this medicine, please let your doctor know. Avoid touching, picking or scratching the infected area to avoid worsening of the acne. It's advised to avoid unnecessary sun exposure, and before stepping out into the sun, apply sunscreen. Do not use any kind of cosmetic products or get any cosmetic procedures done in the affected area without consulting your doctor.
Uses of Clindamycin+nicotinamide
• Acne Treatment: Clindamycin+nicotinamide is frequently used to treat acne by reducing skin bacteria and irritation, which helps prevent new outbreaks.
• Bacterial Infections: Due to its antibacterial properties, it is effective in treating localised bacterial skin infections.
• Off-label Uses: It is occasionally used off-label for additional skin disorders, such as rosacea or specific forms of dermatitis, as evaluated by a medical practitioner.
Medicinal Benefits
Clindamycin+nicotinamide contains Clindamycin and Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3). Clindamycin is a well-known bacteriostatic antibiotic that treats acne, bacterial infections, and scars, and is suitable for both dry and oily skin. It helps in the healing of acne by killing the bacteria that cause acne and preventing further bacterial skin infections. Nicotinamide is a synthetic form of Vitamin B3 that stimulates ceramide (fats found in the uppermost layer of the skin) synthesis and improves the epidermal permeability barrier function, making the skin look supple and soft.
Directions for Use
Before applying, ensure the affected area is thoroughly washed and dried. Clindamycin+nicotinamide should be applied to the entire affected area rather than on acne or pimples only. Applying to the larger part of the skin will help prevent the new pimples from erupting. You should always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after applying Clindamycin+nicotinamide. Avoid contact with Clindamycin+nicotinamide with your eyes or mouth. If Clindamycin+nicotinamide gets into your eyes or mouth accidentally, immediately wash it with cold water.
Storage
Side Effects of Clindamycin+nicotinamide
- Irritation
- Dryness
- Peeling
- Redness
- Burning sensation at the application site
Drug Warnings
Clindamycin+nicotinamide is meant for topical use only and not for oral, ophthalmic or intravaginal use. You should not use a Clindamycin+nicotinamide if your skin is very sensitive or allergic to Clindamycin+nicotinamide or the lincomycin class of antibiotics. Do not apply Clindamycin+nicotinamide on the cut, scraped, sunburned or eczema-affected skin part. If Clindamycin+nicotinamide gets into your eyes accidentally, rinse your eyes thoroughly with water and contact your doctor immediately if the irritation persists. Inform your doctor if your skin conditions do not improve. It may take time to treat acne, so do not apply a dosage more than prescribed for better and faster results. If you are pregnant, planning for pregnancy or a nursing mother, consult your doctor before using Clindamycin+nicotinamide. Consult a doctor if you are using dermatological products other than Clindamycin+nicotinamide, as it may lead to unfavourable results, such as excessive skin drying, peeling, or irritation.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: This medicine may have an interaction with antibiotics (clarithromycin, rifampin, erythromycin), anti-HIV drug (indinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir), antifungals (itraconazole, ketoconazole) and antidepressant (nefazodone). Besides this, Clindamycin+nicotinamide should not be given with muscle relaxants like atracurium, cisatracurium, doxacurium, metocurine, mivacurium, pancuronium, pipecuronium, rapacuronium, rocuronium, succinylcholine, tubocurarine and vecuronium.
Drug-Food Interaction: Avoid fried food or oil food.
Drug-Disease Interaction: You should not use Clindamycin+nicotinamide if you have ulcerative colitis, enteritis (inflammation of intestines) or severe diarrhoea caused by antibiotic medicine. People with colitis should avoid using Clindamycin+nicotinamide as it may cause severe, persistent diarrhoea and severe abdominal cramps with the passage of blood in stool or mucus.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
safe if prescribedThere are no interactions found with Clindamycin+nicotinamide pertaining to alcohol. However, it is advised to avoid alcohol for a speedy recovery.
Pregnancy
cautionThere are no well-established clinical studies with Clindamycin+nicotinamide in pregnant women. Hence, Clindamycin+nicotinamide should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed. Consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
Breast Feeding
cautionClindamycin+nicotinamide is safe to use in breastfeeding. However, please inform your doctor that you are breastfeeding if you are prescribed Clindamycin+nicotinamide.
Driving
safe if prescribedThere are no effects found of Clindamycin+nicotinamide on driving capabilities.
Liver
cautionThere are no interactions found with Clindamycin+nicotinamide pertaining to the liver. However, please inform your doctor if you are suffering from or have suffered from liver disease.
Kidney
cautionThere are no interactions found between Clindamycin+nicotinamide and the kidney. However, please inform your doctor if you are suffering from or have suffered from kidney diseases.
Children
safe if prescribedClindamycin+nicotinamide should be used in children only if prescribed by a specialist. The safety and effectiveness of Clindamycin+nicotinamide have not been established in children below 12 years of age.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Avoid fried food or oily food and drink plenty of water.
- It is advised to avoid unnecessary exposure to the sun.
- In case, it is necessary to go out in the sun, use sunscreen.
- Do not itch or scratch the infected area.
- Use moisturiser to prevent the occurrence of side effects.
- Exercise regularly to reduce stress.
Special Advise
Clindamycin+nicotinamide is for external use only and contact should be avoided from the eyes and mucous membranes, including those of the nose and mouth. If you experience excessive dryness, irritation, or peeling of the skin, consult your doctor.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Acne or acne vulgaris: It is a long-term skin problem that occurs when hair follicles become plugged with oil and dead skin cells. It leads to the formation of blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, oily skin, and scars on the uppermost layer of the skin (epidermis).
FAQs
Clindamycin+nicotinamide is used to treat acne. It works by killing the acne-causing bacteria and reducing the swelling, redness and tenderness caused by acne or pimples.
The precautions to take when using Clindamycin+nicotinamide are to avoid showering or bathing for at least 1 hour after application. Avoid contact of Clindamycin+nicotinamide with eyes and mucous membranes. Other topical products, such as cosmetics, lotions, insect repellents, moisturisers, or other topical medications, should be avoided. Avoid unnecessary exposure to the sun, and if you have to go out in the sun, apply sunscreen.
Clindamycin+nicotinamide may take up to 2-3 weeks to show its effect. Use it as directed by your doctor. If symptoms do not improve, please consult your doctor.
The side effects of Clindamycin+nicotinamide include peeling, dryness, irritation, redness and burning sensation at the application site. If these side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
No, do not overuse Clindamycin+nicotinamide, as it can cause severe diarrhoea due to the medicine being absorbed too quickly into the body. If your symptoms become more severe, please consult your doctor.
Store Clindamycin+nicotinamide in a cool and dry place. Keep it out of children's reach. Dispose of the unused medicine.
Clindamycin+nicotinamide should not be used to treat a single pimple, as it is not a spot treatment. Apply Clindamycin+nicotinamide to the entire face. Use it once a day to help treat your acne.
It may take 2-3 weeks for your symptoms to improve, and it may take some time for you to see significant results. Use Clindamycin+nicotinamide as directed and let your doctor know if your symptoms do not improve or get worse.
Yes, Clindamycin+nicotinamide is very useful in controlling pimples and also helps lighten the aftermarks.
Yes, Clindamycin+nicotinamide can be used every day in the doses prescribed by your doctor until your skin problem improves. Please avoid using it for an extended period on your skin.
