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VELTIN
(vel-tin)
(clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin) Gel

Read the Patient Information that comes with VELTIN (clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel) Gel before you start using it and each time you get a refill. There may be new information. This leaflet does not take the place of talking with your doctor about your medical condition or your treatment.

What is VELTIN Gel?

VELTIN™ (clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel) Gel is prescription medicine used on the skin to treat acne in people 12 years and older.

It is not known if VELTIN (clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel) Gel is safe and effective in children under 12 years of age.

Who should not use VELTIN (clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel) Gel?

Do not use VELTIN (clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel) Gel if you have:

• Crohn's disease
• ulcerative colitis
• had inflammation of the colon (colitis) with past antibiotic use

Talk to your doctor if you are not sure if you have one of these conditions.

What should I tell my doctor before using VELTIN (clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel) Gel?

Before using VELTIN (clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel) Gel, tell your doctor if you:

• have any allergies
• Plan to have surgery with general anesthesia. One of the medicines in VELTIN (clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel) Gel can affect how certain anesthesia medicines work.
• have any other medical conditions
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if VELTIN™ (clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel) Gel may harm your unborn baby.
• are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed. It is not known if VELTIN™ (clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel) Gel passes into your breast milk. One of the medicines in VELTIN (clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel) Gel contains clindamycin. When clindamycin is taken by mouth or injection, it may pass into breast milk. You and your doctor should decide if you will take VELTIN (clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel) Gel or breast feed. You should not do both.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines and skin products you use. Especially tell your doctor if you take medicine that contains erythromycin. VELTIN (clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel) Gel should not be used with products that contain erythromycin.

Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of your medicines and show it to your doctor and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

How should I use VELTIN Gel?

• Use VELTIN™ (clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel) Gel exactly as prescribed.
• Your doctor will tell you how long to use VELTIN (clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel) Gel.
• Do not apply VELTIN (clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel) Gel more than one time each day.
• Do not use too much VELTIN (clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel) Gel, because it may irritate your skin.

Instructions for applying VELTIN (clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel) Gel:

1. At bedtime, wash your face gently with a mild soap, rinse with water.
2. Pat the skin dry.
3. Squeeze a pea sized amount of medication onto one fingertip. Then, gently rub over the entire affected area. Do not get VELTIN (clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel) Gel in your eyes, mouth, or on your lips.

What should I avoid while using VELTIN (clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel) Gel?

• Limit your time in sunlight. Avoid using tanning beds or sun lamps. If you have to be in sunlight, wear a wide-brimmed hat or other protective clothing. Apply a sunscreen every morning and re-apply during the day as needed.
• Avoid wind and cold weather during treatment with VELTIN (clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel) Gel. These may be irritating to your skin.
• Avoid using abrasive soaps and cleansers. These may cause increased skin irritation with VELTIN (clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel) Gel.

What are the possible side effects of VELTIN (clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel) Gel?

VELTIN (clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel) Gel may cause serious side effects, including:

• Inflammation of the colon (colitis). Clindamycin, one of the ingredients in VELTIN (clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel) Gel, can cause severe colitis that may lead to death. Stop taking VELTIN (clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel) Gel and call your doctor if you develop severe watery diarrhea, or bloody diarrhea.
• Sunburn. VELTIN (clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel) Gel may cause your skin to become sunburned more easily. If your face is sunburned, do no use VELTIN (clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel) Gel until your sunburn is completely healed. Tretinoin, one of the medicines in VELTIN (clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel) Gel, makes your skin more sensitive to sunlight. See "What should I avoid while using VELTIN (clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel) Gel?"

Common side effects of VELTIN (clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel) Gel include:

• Skin irritation. VELTIN (clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel) Gel may cause skin irritation such as dryness, peeling, burning, or itching.

Talk to your doctor about any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

These are not all the side effects with VELTIN (clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel) Gel. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

How should I store VELTIN (clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel) Gel?

• Store VELTIN (clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel) Gel at room temperature, between 59°F to 86°F (15°C to 30°C).
• Protect from freezing.
• Keep VELTIN (clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel) Gel away from heat and light.
• Keep VELTIN (clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel) Gel and all medicines out of the reach of children.

General information about VELTIN™ (clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel) Gel

Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in the patient information leaflet. Do not use VELTIN™ (clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel) Gel for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give VELTIN™ (clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel) Gel to other people, even if they have the same symptoms you have. It may harm them.

This patient information leaflet summarizes the most important information about VELTIN™ (clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel) Gel. If you would like more information, talk with your doctor. You can also ask your pharmacist or doctor for information about VELTIN™ (clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel) Gel that is written for healthcare professionals. For more information call 1-888-784-3335.

What are the ingredients in VELTIN™ Gel?

Active Ingredients: clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin

Inactive Ingredients: butylated hydroxytoluene, carbomer 940, citric acid anhydrous, edetate disodium, methylparaben, laureth 4, propylene glycol, tromethamine, and purified water.

Last reviewed on RxList: 8/5/2010
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.