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PATIENT INFORMATION ZIANA (ZEE-AH-NA)
(clindamycin phosphate 1.2% and tretinoin 0.025%) Gel

IMPORTANT: Not for mouth, eye, or vaginal use.

Read the Patient Information that comes with ZIANA Gel (clindamycin phosphate, tretinoin) 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 acne or treatment.

What is ZIANA Gel (clindamycin phosphate, tretinoin) ?

ZIANA Gel (clindamycin phosphate, tretinoin) is an antibiotic and retinoid combination medicine used for the skin treatment of acne in patients 12 years and older.

Who should not use ZIANA Gel (clindamycin phosphate, tretinoin) ? Do not use ZIANA Gel (clindamycin phosphate, tretinoin) if you:

• have Crohn's Disease
• have Ulcerative Colitis
• have developed colitis with past antibiotic use

Tell your doctor:

• if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. It is not known if ZIANA Gel (clindamycin phosphate, tretinoin) may harm your unborn baby.
• if you are breastfeeding. ZIANA Gel (clindamycin phosphate, tretinoin) may pass through your milk and may harm your baby.
• about all the medicines and skin products you use:
  • ZIANA Gel (clindamycin phosphate, tretinoin) should not be used with erythromycin-containing products.
  • Avoid medicated or abrasive soaps and cleansers, soaps and cosmetics that have a strong drying effect, and skin products that contain alcohol, astringents, spices or lime. These products may cause increased skin irritation if used with ZIANA GEL (clindamycin phosphate, tretinoin) .

How should I use ZIANA Gel (clindamycin phosphate, tretinoin) ?

Use ZIANA Gel (clindamycin phosphate, tretinoin) exactly as prescribed. It may take some time for you to see improvement of your acne with ZIANA Gel (clindamycin phosphate, tretinoin) . Your doctor will tell you how long to use ZIANA Gel (clindamycin phosphate, tretinoin) .

At bedtime:

• Wash your face gently with a mild soap and warm water.
• Pat the skin dry.
• Apply a pea-size amount of ZIANA Gel (clindamycin phosphate, tretinoin) to your fingertip and spread it over your face. Gently, smooth it into your skin. Do not get ZIANA Gel (clindamycin phosphate, tretinoin) in your eyes or mouth, on your lips, on the corners of your nose, or on open wounds.

In the morning:

• Apply a sunscreen and reapply during the day as needed.
• Do not apply ZIANA Gel (clindamycin phosphate, tretinoin) more than once a day
• Do not use too much ZIANA Gel (clindamycin phosphate, tretinoin) . Too much ZIANA Gel (clindamycin phosphate, tretinoin) may irritate your skin.
• Do not wash your face more than 2 to 3 times a day. Washing your face too often or scrubbing it may make your acne worse.

Avoid:

• excessive exposure to the sun, cold, and wind. Weather extremes can dry and burn the skin. Always use a sunscreen on ZIANA Gel (clindamycin phosphate, tretinoin) treated skin, even on cloudy days. Use other protective clothing such as a hat when you are in the sun.
• the use of sunlamps and tanning booths

If your face becomes sunburned, stop ZIANA Gel (clindamycin phosphate, tretinoin) until your skin has healed.

What are possible side effects with ZIANA Gel (clindamycin phosphate, tretinoin) ?

• Skin irritation. ZIANA Gel (clindamycin phosphate, tretinoin) may cause skin irritation such as dryness, redness, peeling, burning, or stinging. Stop ZIANA Gel (clindamycin phosphate, tretinoin) and call your doctor if your skin becomes very red, swollen, blistered, or crusted.
• Change in skin color. ZIANA Gel (clindamycin phosphate, tretinoin) may cause a temporary skin color change (lighter or darker).
• Colitis. This occurs rarely. Stop ZIANA Gel (clindamycin phosphate, tretinoin) and call your doctor if you develop severe watery diarrhea, or bloody diarrhea.

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 ZIANA Gel (clindamycin phosphate, tretinoin) . Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

How should I store ZIANA Gel (clindamycin phosphate, tretinoin) ?

• Store ZIANA Gel (clindamycin phosphate, tretinoin) at room temperature, 59 to 86°F (15 to 30°C). Do not freeze.
• Keep ZIANA Gel (clindamycin phosphate, tretinoin) away from heat and light.
• Keep the tube tightly closed.
• Keep ZIANA Gel (clindamycin phosphate, tretinoin) and all medicines out of the reach of children

General information about ZIANA Gel (clindamycin phosphate, tretinoin)

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

This leaflet summarizes the most important information about ZIANA Gel (clindamycin phosphate, tretinoin) . If you would like more information, talk with your doctor. You can also ask your pharmacist or doctor for information about ZIANA Gel (clindamycin phosphate, tretinoin) that is written for healthcare professionals.

If you have questions about ZIANA Gel (clindamycin phosphate, tretinoin) you can also call: 1-800-900-6389 (this is a toll-free number) between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.

What are the ingredients in ZIANA Gel (clindamycin phosphate, tretinoin) ?

Active Ingredients: clindamycin phosphate 1.2% and tretinoin 0.025%

Inactive Ingredients: purified water USP, glycerin USP, carbomer 981 NF, methylparaben NF, polysorbate 80 NF, edetate disodium USP, citric acid USP, propylparaben NF, butylated hydroxytoluene NF, and tromethamine USP.

Last reviewed on RxList: 3/22/2007
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.