Topical clindamycin for acne vulgaris: analysis of gastrointestinal events

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-1-2024

Publication Title

The Journal of dermatological treatment

Abstract

Purpose: Topical clindamycin, a lincosamide antibiotic, is commonly combined with benzoyl peroxide or a retinoid for acne vulgaris (AV) treatment. While oral and topical clindamycin carry warnings/contraindications regarding gastrointestinal (GI) adverse events (AEs), real-world incidence of GI AEs with topical clindamycin is unknown. This review provides background information and an overview of safety data of topical clindamycin for treating AV.

Materials and Methods: Available safety data from published literature, previously unpublished worldwide pharmacovigilance data, and two retrospective cohort studies were reviewed.

Results and Conclusions: According to pharmacovigilance data, the rate of GI adverse drug reactions with topical clindamycin-containing products was 0.000045% (64/141,084,533). Results from two retrospective medical record studies of patients with AV indicated that physicians prescribe topical clindamycin equally to patients with or without inflammatory bowel disease history, and that rates of pseudomembranous colitis in these patients were low. In 8 published pivotal clinical trials of topical clindamycin for AV, GI AEs were reported in 1.4% of participants. Limitations include under/inaccurate reporting of AEs or prescription data and limited generalizability. This review of published case reports, worldwide pharmacovigilance data, retrospective US prescription data, and clinical trials safety data demonstrates that the incidence of colitis in patients exposed to topical clindamycin is extremely low.

Medical Subject Headings

Humans; Clindamycin; Retrospective Studies; Acne Vulgaris; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Benzoyl Peroxide

PubMed ID

38568005

Volume

35

Issue

1

First Page

2325603

Last Page

2325603

Find It @ Sladen

Share

COinS