Treclin Gel

Use Treclin exactly as directed by your pharmacist, prescriber or the patient information leaflet supplied with your medicine.

Treclin is for external skin use only. A pea-sized amount is usually applied once daily at bedtime.

Wash the face gently with mild soap and warm water, then pat the skin dry. Apply a small amount to the forehead, chin, nose and both cheeks, then spread it evenly over the affected area.

Avoid the eyes, lips, mouth, nostrils, mucous membranes, broken skin, eczematous skin and very sensitive areas. If accidental contact occurs, rinse well with lukewarm water.

Do not use more than directed. Applying more gel or using it more often will not improve acne faster and may increase redness, peeling, dryness and irritation.

Do not apply Treclin at the same time as other acne products, strong cleansers, abrasive scrubs, chemical exfoliants or drying skincare products unless advised by a clinician.

Avoid excessive sunlight, sunbeds and UV lamps while using Treclin. Use suitable sun protection and protective clothing when outdoors. If your skin becomes sunburnt, stop using Treclin until the skin has healed.

It may take several weeks to see the best effect. If symptoms persist beyond 12 weeks, treatment should be clinically reviewed.

If you forget to use Treclin, apply the next dose at the usual time. Do not apply a double amount to make up for a missed dose.

Treclin Gel contains two active ingredients:

Clindamycin 10mg per gram, as clindamycin phosphate.

Tretinoin 0.25mg per gram.

This is equivalent to clindamycin 1% and tretinoin 0.025% w/w.

Other ingredients include purified water, glycerol, carbomers, methyl parahydroxybenzoate, polysorbate 80, disodium edetate, anhydrous citric acid, propyl parahydroxybenzoate, butyl hydroxytoluene and trometamol.

Treclin contains methyl parahydroxybenzoate and propyl parahydroxybenzoate, which may cause allergic reactions. It also contains butyl hydroxytoluene, which may cause local skin reactions or irritation to the eyes and mucous membranes, and polysorbate 80, which can cause allergic reactions.

Always read the patient information leaflet supplied with your specific medicine before use.

Some people experience side effects while using Treclin. Possible side effects can include dry skin, redness, increased oiliness, photosensitivity, itching, rash, scaly rash, peeling, sunburn, burning, inflamed skin, application-site dryness and application-site redness.

Less common side effects can include headache, eye irritation, nausea, gastroenteritis, cold sores, skin burning, skin irritation, skin discolouration, skin bleeding, swelling, pain or feeling hot.

Mild irritation can happen when treatment is first started. Persistent, severe or worsening irritation should be reviewed.

Stop using Treclin and seek medical advice if you develop severe irritation, swelling, blistering, severe rash, significant skin pain or symptoms that feel serious or unusual for you.

Seek urgent medical advice if you develop signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, breathing difficulty, severe rash, fainting or collapse.

Stop using Treclin and speak to a clinician immediately if you develop prolonged or significant diarrhoea, abdominal cramps or blood or mucus in stools. Although Treclin is applied to the skin, clindamycin can rarely be linked with antibiotic-associated bowel inflammation.

Treclin is not suitable for everyone. Do not use it if you are allergic to clindamycin, lincomycin, tretinoin or any ingredient in the gel.

Do not use Treclin if you are pregnant or planning pregnancy. Women of childbearing potential should use effective contraception during treatment and for one month after stopping treatment.

Treclin should not be used while breastfeeding unless a clinician has specifically advised that it is appropriate.

Treclin may not be suitable if you have inflammatory bowel disease, previous antibiotic-associated colitis, a personal or family history of skin cancer, acute eczema, rosacea, perioral dermatitis, folliculitis, acne conglobata or acne fulminans.

Extra clinical review may be needed if you have very sensitive skin, atopic eczema, sunburn, broken skin, severe acne, cystic acne, acne scarring, previous reactions to retinoids or antibiotics, or if you are using other topical acne treatments.

Tell your clinician about all medicines and skincare products you use. This includes benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, sulphur, resorcinol, chemical exfoliants, medicated cleansers, topical antibiotics, corticosteroids, erythromycin, metronidazole, aminoglycosides, muscle relaxants and warfarin or similar blood-thinning medicines.

Suitability depends on acne type, acne severity, affected areas, skin sensitivity, previous treatments, medical history, current medicines, pregnancy or breastfeeding status, allergy history and clinical assessment. Prescription medicine is supplied only where clinically appropriate.