If your acne does not improve within about 6 weeks, or if it becomes worse, check with your health care professional. However, treatment of acne may take up to 8 to 12 weeks before full improvement is seen.

If your doctor has ordered another medicine to be applied to the skin along with CLEOCIN, it is best to apply them at different times. This may help keep your skin from becoming too irritated. Also, if the medicines are used at or near the same time, they may not work properly.

For patients using the topical solution form of clindamycin:

• CLEOCIN may cause the skin to become unusually dry, even with normal use. If this occurs, check with your doctor.

In some patients, clindamycin may cause diarrhea.

• Severe diarrhea may be a sign of a serious side effect. Do not take any diarrhea medicine without first checking with your doctor . Diarrhea medicines may make your diarrhea worse or make it last longer.
• For mild diarrhea, only diarrhea medicine containing attapulgite (e.g., Kaopectate, Diasorb) may be taken. Other kinds of diarrhea medicine (e.g., Imodium A.D. or Lomotil) should not be taken. They may make your condition worse or make it last longer.
• If you have any questions about this or if mild diarrhea continues or gets worse, check with your health care professional.

You may continue to use cosmetics (make-up) while you are using CLEOCIN for acne. However, it is best to use only “water-base” cosmetics. Also, it is best not to use cosmetics too heavily or too often. They may make your acne worse. If you have any questions about this, check with your doctor.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

• Rare
  • Abdominal or stomach cramps, pain, and bloating (severe);  diarrhea (watery and severe), which may also be bloody;  fever;  increased thirst;  nausea or vomiting;  unusual tiredness or weakness;  weight loss (unusual)—these side effects may also occur up to several weeks after you stop using CLEOCIN  
  
  

Also, check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• Less common
  • Skin rash, itching, redness, swelling, or other sign of irritation not present before use of CLEOCIN 
  
  

Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:

• More common
  • Dryness, scaliness, or peeling of skin (for the topical solution)  
  
  

• Less common
  • Abdominal pain;  diarrhea (mild);  headache;  irritation or oiliness of skin;  stinging or burning feeling of skin 
  
  

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.