DALACIN T Topical solution Ref.[6727] Active ingredients: Clindamycin

Products containing benzoyl peroxide should not be used concurrently with Dalacin T Topical Solution.

Oral and parenteral clindamycin, as well as most other antibiotics, have been associated with severe pseudomembranous colitis. Post-marketing studies, however, have indicated a very low incidence of colitis with Dalacin T Topical Solution. The physician should, nonetheless, be alert to the development of antibiotic associated diarrhoea or colitis. If significant or prolonged diarrhoea occurs, the product should be discontinued immediately.

Diarrhoea, colitis, and pseudomembranous colitis have been observed to begin up to several weeks following cessation of oral and parenteral therapy with clindamycin.

Studies indicate a toxin(s) produced by Clostridium difficile is the major cause of antibiotic associated colitis. Colitis is usually characterised by persistent, severe diarrhoea and abdominal cramps. Endoscopic examination may reveal pseudomembranous colitis. Stool culture for C. difficile and/or assay for C. difficile toxin may be helpful to diagnosis.

Vancomycin is effective in the treatment of antibiotic-associated colitis produced by C. difficile. The usual dose is 125-500 mg orally every 6 hours for 7-10 days. Additional supportive medical care may be necessary.

Mild cases of colitis may respond to discontinuance of clindamycin alone. Colestyramine and colestipol resins have been shown to bind C. difficile toxin in vitro, and colestyramine has been effective in the treatment of some mild cases of antibiotic-associated colitis. Colestyramine resins have been shown to bind vancomycin; therefore, when both colestyramine and vancomycin are used concurrently, their administration should be separated by at least two hours.

Dalacin T Topical Solution contains an alcohol base which can cause burning and irritation of the eye. In the event of accidental contact with sensitive surfaces (eye, abraded skin, mucous membranes), bathe with copious amounts of cool tap water. The solution has an unpleasant taste and caution should be exercised when applying medication around the mouth.

Topical clindamycin should be prescribed with caution to atopic individuals.

Clindamycin has been shown to have neuromuscular blocking properties that may enhance the action of other neuromuscular blocking agents. Therefore, it should be used with caution in patients receiving such agents.

Vitamin K antagonists

Increased coagulation tests (PT/INR) and/or bleeding have been reported in patients treated with clindamycin in combination with a vitamin K antagonist (e.g. warfarin, acenocoumarol and fluindione). Coagulation tests, therefore, should be frequently monitored in patients treated with vitamin K antagonists.

Pregnancy

There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women during the first trimester. A moderate amount of data from clinical trials in pregnant women (between 300-1000 pregnancy outcomes) during the second and third trimesters indicates systemic administration of clindamycin has not been associated with an increased frequency of congenital abnormalities or feto/neonatal toxicity. Animal reproductive toxicity studies revealed no evidence of impaired fertility or harm to the foetus due to clindamycin, except at doses that caused maternal toxicity (see section 5.3). Animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response.

Dalacin T Topical Solution should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed.

Breast-feeding

It is not known whether clindamycin is excreted in human milk following use of Dalacin T Topical Solution. However, orally and parenterally administered clindamycin has been reported to appear in breast milk. As a general rule, breast-feeding should not be undertaken while a patient is on a drug since many drugs are excreted in human milk.

The effect of clindamycin on the ability to drive or operate machinery has not been systematically evaluated.

The table below lists the adverse reactions identified through clinical trial experience and post-marketing surveillance by system organ class and frequency. The frequency grouping is defined using the following convention: Very common (≥1/10); Common (≥1/100 to <1/10); Uncommon (≥1/1,000 to <1/100); Rare (≥1/10,000 to <1/1,000); Very Rare (<1/10,000) and Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data). Within each frequency grouping, undesirable effects are presented in order of decreasing seriousness.

Adverse reactions possibly or probably related to Clindamycin Phosphate Topical Solution based on clinical trial experience and post-marketing surveillance:

Infections and Infestations

Frequency Not Known: Gram-negative folliculitis, Pseudomembranous colitis

Eye Disorders

Frequency Not Known: Stinging of the eye

Gastrointestinal Disorders

Uncommon: Gastrointestinal disturbances

Frequency Not Known: Abdominal pain

Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders

Very Common: Skin dryness, Skin irritation, Urticaria

Common: Skin oiliness

Frequency Not Known: Contact dermatitis

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard.

Not applicable.