Anyone here use Clindamycin for acne treatment?

[fyleow]

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[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

When I was a teenager I went through a couple different drug cocktails.

X + Differin Gel
Tetracyclin + Differin Gel
Tetracyclin + Retin A cream
Amoxycilin + Retin A cream

I don't remember what the original "X" antibiotic was, but I remember it gave me an upset stomach like you were describing (mild diarhea). I moved on to Tetracyclin which seemed to work well enough, but without the upset stomach. I haven't taken the stuff for a few years.

 

[dethman]

didn't know clinda was used for acne. hm.

 

[DrNoobie]

Clindamycin is a lincomycin antibiotic and should only be used in cases of serious bacterial infection, as it can cause severe intestinal problems. I assume this is a pill, and not the topical version. Diarrhea is a side affect of the medicine, but you should notify your doctor immediately. The doctor who prescribed this to you should be monitoring you very closely. I have never heard of Clindamycin being used for acne, though. Just make sure you don't take an anti-diarrhea medicine, and contact your doctor as soon as possible.

 

[fyleow]

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[fyleow]

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[DrNoobie]

Originally posted by: fyleow

It's the topical gel, but has been known to enter the bloodstream. According to the gel it says that it's only equivalent to 10 mg of Clindamycin, so it doesn't seem to be very strong. My doctor even told me to use these acne medication "on my face if you have any". WTF?! This medication is for treating acne on my back btw. I'm guessing that since the area is pretty large more of it enters the blood.

Ok, I had assumed it was the pill. If, indeed, it is only 10mg, then you shouldn't be having side effects. It's hard to diagnose over the internet, so just don't take any anti-diarrhea medication and talk to your doctor in the morning.

 

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

Originally posted by: fyleow
KnightBreed I assume you take Tetracyclin and Amoxycilin as a pill and the Differin/Retin A is a topical gel? How well did your medication work? Did it go away or did you simply grow out of it?

Yes, the Tetracyclin and Amoxycilin were both pills. The Differin Gel was a gel and the Retin A was a cream. Both cocktails worked pretty well for preventing acne, but I preferred the Amox/RetinA combo.

The Amoxycilin could be taken with food, while Tetracycling must be taken on an empty stomach, and the Retin A did a better job of keeping my pores clear, as it caused peeling skin. The peeling wasn't much an of issue as most of the dry skin would come off in the shower with light scrubbing.

There were a couple periods when I went off the medication for a couple months and the acne would start to come back. You need to keep in mind these are only treatments and not cures. From what I understand most people have reoccuring symptoms after stopping their doseage.

I'm 21 and haven't taken any meds for a few years. I still have the occasional pimples, but nothing that really bugs me. My biggest problem is still clogged pores around my eyes/noes and some scars that constantly remind me of my younger years. I try not to let it bother me.

 

[fyleow]

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[rh71]

Clindamycin (aka Cleocin-T, afaik), is prescribed by dermatologists for acne... I didn't know it was for severe acne though... the stuff seems very watered down, the topical stuff that is... much more liquidy than the stuff you can buy at the drug store.

 

[DrNoobie]

Ok, so you're using Clindamycin Phosphate, not Clindamycin HCl. Another reason why diagnosis through the internet is almost impossible. Definately check with your doctor if you are having problems quickly, especially since you experience systemic problems when not on medication.

 

[StageLeft]

Just don't go on acutane if you get desperate. I did and I regret it, as do some others who have taken it. Now that i'm 26 I realize that I'm not going to be having another body, and I'm upset that I put myself through the negativities of acutane over zits, which are now all but entirely gone anyway. At the time i was happy with it, but hindsight is 20/20.

BTW, none of the other acne drugs (styvamicin <sp> or minocin) did a fvcking thing.

 

[jst0ney]

Originally posted by: DrNoobie
Clindamycin is a lincomycin antibiotic and should only be used in cases of serious bacterial infection, as it can cause severe intestinal problems. I assume this is a pill, and not the topical version. Diarrhea is a side affect of the medicine, but you should notify your doctor immediately. The doctor who prescribed this to you should be monitoring you very closely. I have never heard of Clindamycin being used for acne, though. Just make sure you don't take an anti-diarrhea medicine, and contact your doctor as soon as possible.

 

[fyleow]

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[DrNoobie]

Originally posted by: fyleow

Yeah Clindamycin Phosphate, sorry I should have been more clear.

I guess my real question is, what do they really mean by diarrhea, or how severe should it be before worrying. I mean, right now, it's not like I'm going to the bathroom every 5 minutes. I feel fine, but I do have some mild abdominal discomfort. My stool is just looser than normal, but it is not watery like bad diarrhea. I have a feeling I'm just overreacting and these mild side effects are normal.

The doctor did say that Acutane was an option if all else fails but from what I've read it is a dangerous drug. May cause depression and suicide...which is not good considering I'm not the most cheerful person all the time. What kind of negative effects did you experience with it Skoorb, if you don't mind sharing.

Diarrhea caused by a low dosage topical cream is not a common side effect. The only common side effect with Clindamycin Phosphate is dry skin, every other side effect requires a doctor's attention. However, the diarrhea maybe natural due to your systemic problems, and not caused by the medication at all. I don't know your history, that's why you need to contact your doctor.

 

[Compton]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Just don't go on acutane if you get desperate. I did and I regret it, as do some others who have taken it. Now that i'm 26 I realize that I'm not going to be having another body, and I'm upset that I put myself through the negativities of acutane over zits, which are now all but entirely gone anyway. At the time i was happy with it, but hindsight is 20/20.

BTW, none of the other acne drugs (styvamicin <sp> or minocin) did a fvcking thing.

Why do you say that? I would probably look like Mars if it wasn't for Accutane. I took it about 9 years ago, never had any problems.


edit: I should add that I took Tetracyclin and Amoxycilin and some topicals (I dont remember the names now). None of those worked.

 

[Mallow]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Just don't go on acutane if you get desperate. I did and I regret it, as do some others who have taken it. Now that i'm 26 I realize that I'm not going to be having another body, and I'm upset that I put myself through the negativities of acutane over zits, which are now all but entirely gone anyway. At the time i was happy with it, but hindsight is 20/20.

BTW, none of the other acne drugs (styvamicin <sp> or minocin) did a fvcking thing.

What on earth were your adverse long-term reactions? Did you birth a baby w/o arms or legs I took acutane when I was a teenager and it worked amazingly well and I have no long-term side affects.

Usually doctors don't like to precribe women acutane b/c it is actually retinoic acid which gets in the way of many embryological processes, including angiogenesis. This is the reason women who take acutane when they are pregnant have babies w/o arms... the vasculature to their arms could not form. It also affects notocord formation as well as neuron migration. However, as far as long-term side affects for me... what are yours?

PS. Any anti-bacterial agent can cause diarrhea b/c you are killing the natural flora in your digestive track. When this occurs an opportunistic pathogen will take hold and cause problems.