Dalacin T Lotion

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NOTICE: This Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) is intended for persons living in Australia.

Clindamycin phosphate

Consumer Medicine Information

What is in this leaflet

This leaflet answers some common questions about DALACIN T. It does not contain all the available information. It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.

All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you using DALACIN T against the benefits they expect it will have for you.

If you have any concerns about using this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Keep this leaflet with the medicine.

You may need to read it again.

What DALACIN T is used for

DALACIN T is an antibiotic lotion used on the skin to help treat acne.

DALACIN T works by decreasing acne lesions and/or stopping the growth of skin bacteria that cause acne.

DALACIN T is not addictive.

This medicine is available only with a doctor's prescription.

Before using DALACIN T

When you must not use it

Do not use DALACIN T:

1. if you have an allergy to:

clindamycin or lincomycin

any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet

Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include skin rash and itching.

2. if the packaging shows signs of tampering.

3. if the expiry date (EXP) printed on the pack has passed.

If you are not sure whether you should start using DALACIN T, contact your doctor.

Before you start to use it

You must tell your doctor if:

1. you have any allergies to:

any other medicines

any other substances, such as foods, preservatives or dyes

2. you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant

3. you are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed.

4. you have or have had any other medical conditions, including:

other allergies

If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell them before you use DALACIN T.

Taking other medicines

Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including medicines you buy without a prescription from a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.

Some medicines may interfere with DALACIN T. These include:

the antibiotic erythromycin

neuromuscular blocking medicines (certain agents used for muscle relaxation in anaesthesia)

These medicines may be affected by DALACIN T or may affect how well it works. You may need different amounts of your medicine or you may need to take different medicines. Your doctor will advise you.

Your doctor or pharmacist may have more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while using DALACIN T.

How to use
DALACIN T

How much to use and how to use it

Shake the bottle immediately before use. Apply a thin layer twice a day to the affected areas of the skin.

Avoid contact with eyes, lips and mucous membranes.

Follow all directions given to you by your doctor and pharmacist carefully.

They may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.

If you do not understand the instructions on the label, ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.

How long to use it

Continue using DALACIN T for as long as your doctor recommends.

If you are not sure how long you should be using DALACIN T, check with your doctor.

If your acne does not improve within 6 weeks, or if it becomes worse, contact your doctor. However, treatment of acne may take up to 8 to 12 weeks before full improvement is seen.

If you forget to use it

Apply DALACIN T Lotion when you remember, unless it is almost time for your next application, in which case wait and apply at the next application time.

If you use too much

If you use too much DALACIN T, you may experience some of the side effects listed below under side effects.

If Dalacin T is swallowed

Immediately telephone your doctor or the Poisons Information Centre (telephone 13 11 26) for advice, or go to Accident and Emergency at the nearest hospital, if you think that you or anyone else may have swallowed DALACIN T. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.

You may need urgent medical attention.

While you are using DALACIN T

Things you must do

If you become pregnant while you are using DALACIN T, tell your doctor.

If you are about to start taking any new medicines, tell your doctor and pharmacist that you are using DALACIN T.

Things you must not do

Do not give DALACIN T to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you.

Side effects

Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are using DALACIN T.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if you have any problems while using DALACIN T, even if you do not think they are connected with the medicine or are not listed in this leaflet.

Like other medicines, DALACIN T can cause some side effects. If they occur, most are likely to be minor and temporary. However, some may be serious and need medical attention.

Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects. You may not experience any of them.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.

Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following and they worry you:

skin irritation (burning, redness, peeling)

itchy skin

dry skin

hives

skin oiliness

stomach upset (diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting)

stomach pain

These side effects are usually mild.

Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following side effects during use, or several weeks after stopping treatment with DALACIN T:

severe stomach cramps

watery and severe diarrhoea, which may also be bloody

fever, in combination with one or both of the above

These are rare but serious side effects. DALACIN T can change bacteria, which are normally present in the bowel and harmless, to multiply and therefore cause the above symptoms. You may need urgent medical attention. This side effect is rare.

Do not take any diarrhoea medicine without first checking with your doctor.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you don't understand anything in this list.

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients.

Tell your doctor if you notice anything else that is making you feel unwell.

After using
DALACIN T

Storage

Keep DALACIN T in a cool, dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C.

Do not store it, or any other medicine, in a bathroom or near a sink. Do not leave it in the car or on window sills. Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.

Keep DALACIN T where children cannot reach it.

A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.