What is Acanya?
Benzoyl peroxide has an antibacterial effect. It also has a mild drying effect that allows excess oil and dirt to be washed away.
Clindamycin is an antibiotic. Clindamycin topical prevents bacteria from growing on the skin.
Together the combination of benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin topical are used to treat acne.
Benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin topical may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about Acanya?
Use benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin topical exactly as your doctor has prescribed it for you. Using more medicine or applying it more often than prescribed will not make it work any faster, and may increase side effects. Do not use this medication for longer than your doctor has prescribed.
Avoid getting this medication in your eyes, mouth, or nose (or in the creases of your nose), or on your lips. If it does get into any of these areas, wash with water. Do not apply this medicine to sunburned, windburned, dry, chapped, irritated, or broken skin.
It may take several weeks of using this medicine before your symptoms improve. For best results, keep using the medication as directed. Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve.
Although this medicine is applied to the skin, your body may absorb enough clindamycin to cause serious side effects. You may not be able to use this medication if you have inflammation of your intestines (also called enteritis), ulcerative colitis, or if you have ever had severe diarrhea caused by antibiotic medicine.
Avoid exposure to sunlight or artificial UV rays (sunlamps or tanning beds). Benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin topical can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and sunburn may result. Use a sunscreen (minimum SPF 15) and wear protective clothing if you must be out in the sun.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Acanya?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to benzoyl peroxide or clindamycin (Cleocin, Clina-Derm, Clindets).
Although this medicine is applied to the skin, your body may absorb enough clindamycin to cause serious side effects. You may not be able to use this medication if you have:
- inflammation of your intestines (also called enteritis)
- ulcerative colitis; or
- if you have ever had severe diarrhea caused by antibiotic medicine
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin topical passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Acanya Side Effects
What are the possible side effects of Acanya?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: 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
Less serious side effects may include:
- mild burning or stinging
- itching or tingly feeling
- dryness or peeling of treated skin; or
- redness or other irritation
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 FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Acanya Interactions
What other drugs affect Acanya?
Before using benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin topical, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
- erythromycin topical (Akne-Mycin, Emcin Clear, Eryderm, Erygel, Erythra-Derm, Ery-Sol, and others); or
- erythromycin taken by mouth (E.E.S., E-Mycin, Ery-Tab, E-Mycin, Robimycin, and others)
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin topical. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
What should I avoid while taking Acanya?
Avoid using skin products that can cause irritation, such as harsh soaps, shampoos, or skin cleansers, hair coloring or permanent chemicals, hair removers or waxes, or skin products with alcohol, spices, astringents, or lime. Do not use other medicated skin products unless your doctor has told you to.
Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.
Avoid exposure to sunlight or artificial UV rays (sunlamps or tanning beds). Benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin topical can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and sunburn may result. Use a sunscreen (minimum SPF 15) and wear protective clothing if you must be out in the sun.
Avoid using sunscreen containing PABA on the same skin treated with benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin topical, or skin discoloration may occur.
Benzoyl peroxide can bleach hair or fabrics. Do not let this medicine come into contact with clothing, hair, or colored towels or bed linens.
Acanya Dosage
How should I take Acanya?
Use benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin topical exactly as your doctor has prescribed it for you. Using more medicine or applying it more often than prescribed will not make it work any faster, and may increase side effects. Do not use this medication for longer than your doctor has prescribed.
Wash your hands before and after applying this medication.
Wash your face with a mild cleanser (not soap) and pat the skin dry with a clean towel.
Benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin topical is usually applied twice daily, in the morning and evening.
Avoid getting this medication in your eyes, mouth, or nose (or in the creases of your nose), or on your lips. If it does get into any of these areas, wash with water. Do not apply this medicine to sunburned, windburned, dry, chapped, irritated, or broken skin.
It may take several weeks of using this medicine before your symptoms improve. For best results, keep using the medication as directed. Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve.
Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I overdose on Acanya?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
Overdose symptoms include bloody or watery diarrhea, which may result if you absorb this medicine through your skin by applying too much.
What happens if I miss a dose of Acanya?
Apply the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to apply the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Sourced from everydayhealth.com