Key takeaways
Ziana (clindamycin/tretinoin) and Cleocin (clindamycin) are both prescription medications, but they are used for different conditions and have different forms. Ziana is a combination of clindamycin, an antibiotic, and tretinoin, a retinoic acid derivative, and is used topically to treat acne in people over 12 years old. It comes in a gel form and is applied once daily at bedtime. On the other hand, Cleocin is used to treat vaginal bacterial infections and comes as a vaginal suppository. Cleocin is only available as a brand-name medication, while Ziana has a generic version available. Ziana can take up to 12 weeks to show improvement in acne, whereas Cleocin is typically used for just 3 days to treat infections. Additionally, Ziana can make your skin more sensitive to the sun, while Cleocin can cause yeast infections and weaken condoms and diaphragms. Both medications can cause severe diarrhea, especially in people with a history of bowel problems.
