Onexton
Onexton is a topical gel that contains clindamycin 1.2% (a lincosamide antibiotic) and benzoyl peroxide 3.75% (an antiseptic). It's applied to the face once per day to treat acne in people ages 12 years and older. Side effects include skin redness and scaling. Onexton (clindamycin / benzoyl peroxide) is only available as a brand name medication.
What is Onexton (clindamycin / benzoyl peroxide)?
What is Onexton (clindamycin / benzoyl peroxide) used for?
- Treatment of acne on the face in people ages 12 years and older
How Onexton (clindamycin / benzoyl peroxide) works
Onexton (clindamycin / benzoyl peroxide) is a combination of two medications that work together to treat acne.
- Clindamycin is a lincosamide antibiotic. It works by stopping bacteria from making their own proteins. This prevents the bacteria that cause acne from growing and spreading.
- Benzoyl peroxide is an antiseptic. It works by killing the bacteria on the skin that cause acne. It also helps improve the skin texture by shedding damaged or flaking skin and reducing inflammation.
Drug facts
Side effects of Onexton (clindamycin / benzoyl peroxide)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
Mild skin reactions, including:
- Redness (28%)
- Scaling (19%)
- Itching (15%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Burning
- Stinging
Onexton (clindamycin / benzoyl peroxide) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Inflammation of your large intestine: diarrhea that doesn't go away (especially if it's bloody), severe stomach cramps
- Serious allergic reaction: hives; trouble breathing; itching; swelling of your face, eyes, lips, tongue, or throat
The following Onexton (clindamycin / benzoyl peroxide) side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Burning, itching, crusting, or peeling of treated skin
- Severe diarrhea, fever
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Change in hair color
- Mild skin irritation, redness, or dryness
- Sensitivity to light
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Pros and cons of Onexton (clindamycin / benzoyl peroxide)
Pros
- A first-choice option for treating acne
- Combines two medications into a single product
- Applied once per day
Cons
- Take weeks to months to notice improvement
- Can make your skin more sensitive to light
- Although rare, clindamycin in Onexton can cause inflammation in the colon
Pharmacist tips for Onexton (clindamycin / benzoyl peroxide)
- Clean the affected area(s) of your face with a mild cleanser and rinse with warm water before applying Onexton (clindamycin / benzoyl peroxide). Pat the skin completely dry before using Onexton (clindamycin / benzoyl peroxide).
- Apply a thin layer of Onexton (clindamycin / benzoyl peroxide) on the affected area(s) of the skin on the face once a day. Make sure to apply just enough to cover the skin with a thin layer of medication.
- Wash your hands after using Onexton (clindamycin / benzoyl peroxide). Avoid touching your eyes, lips, or areas of skin that are broken until after you've cleaned your hands. Getting the medication on these sensitive areas can cause skin irritation and pain.
- Onexton (clindamycin / benzoyl peroxide) can cause dry and peeling skin. You can minimize skin irritation by applying oil-free moisturizer after applying Onexton (clindamycin / benzoyl peroxide).
- Onexton (clindamycin / benzoyl peroxide) can make your skin more sensitve to the sun. You're recommended to apply sunscreen and wear protective clothing (e.g., hats) when going outside to help protect against sunburns.
- Store Onexton (clindamycin / benzoyl peroxide) at room temperature (up to 77 degrees F) for up to 10 weeks. You'll need to discard the medication after 10 weeks, even if there's medication still left in the container.
Common questions about Onexton (clindamycin / benzoyl peroxide)
It's best to apply Onexton (clindamycin / benzoyl peroxide) first, give it some time to absorb and dry, then apply a moisturizer afterwards. Using a moisturizer with Onexton (clindamycin / benzoyl peroxide) can ease some of its skin-related side effects, such as dryness and peeling. Ask your dermatologist if you have questions about which moisturizer is best for you while using Onexton (clindamycin / benzoyl peroxide).
No, Onexton (clindamycin 1.2% / benzoyl peroxide 3.75%) is only available as a brand name medication. But there's a generic option for a gel product that has slightly different strengths of the active ingredients, clindamycin 1% / benzoyl peroxide 5%. Talk to your prescriber to see which option is best for you.
You might notice some improvements in your skin after using Onexton (clindamycin / benzoyl peroxide) for a few weeks. This timeline is estimated based on data on clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide. But based on clinical studies, you might need to use this medication for 3 months before seeing maximum benefit. It's important to be patient, use Onexton (clindamycin / benzoyl peroxide) every day, and allow time for the medication to work. Talk to your prescriber if you're concerned with how quickly Onexton (clindamycin / benzoyl peroxide) is working.
If you're pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant, let your dermatologist know before using Onexton (clindamycin / benzoyl peroxide). Both clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide are possible options for treating acne during pregnancy, but only in limited amounts or for short-term treatment. Your dermatologist can talk with you about the benefits and risks of using Onexton (clindamycin / benzoyl peroxide) during pregnancy.
No, Onexton (clindamycin / benzoyl peroxide) is only available by a prescription from a healthcare provider. But benzoyl peroxide on its own is available over-the-counter (OTC). If you're already using Onexton (clindamycin / benzoyl peroxide), don't use additional skin care products that contain benzoyl peroxide. Doing so can worsen skin irritation, like peeling or dryness. Talk with your dermatologist if you have questions about OTC and prescription acne medications.
No, Onexton (clindamycin / benzoyl peroxide) doesn't cause purging. "Skin purging" is a term used to describe skin irritation and worsening of acne in the beginning of treatment, typically with retinoids. This happens because they work by exfoliating the skin to replace old skin cells with new skin cells.
Yes, Onexton (clindamycin / benzoyl peroxide) can expire. The pharmacy will write a 10-week expiration date on the gel when they give it to you. If you've had the medication for a while, check the expiration date on the medication before you use it. Don't use the medication if it's expired because it might not work well to treat your acne. It might also irritate your skin. Discard the expired medication and ask your pharmacist if you have refills on your prescription.
No. When you pick up your prescription for Onexton (clindamycin / benzoyl peroxide) from the pharmacy, it might feel cold. This is because the medication is stored in the refrigerator at the pharmacy. But when you take Onexton (clindamycin / benzoyl peroxide) home, it should be stored at room temperature and thrown away after the 10-week expiration date written on the gel.
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Risks and warnings for Onexton (clindamycin / benzoyl peroxide)
Onexton (clindamycin / benzoyl peroxide) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Serious gut problem (colitis)
- Risk factors: Applying Onexton (clindamycin / benzoyl peroxide) to mouth, eyes, or broken skin | Using Onexton (clindamycin / benzoyl peroxide) for a long time | Taking opioids or Lomotil (diphenoxylate / atropine) with Onexton (clindamycin / benzoyl peroxide)
Although rare, there have been reports of clindamycin getting absorbed from the skin and into the body, and causing a potentially life-threatening condition called colitis. Colitis is inflammation of your large intestine (the colon). People who take opioid pain medications (e.g., Norco (hydrocodone / acetaminophen), oxycodone, etc.) or Lomotil (diphenoxylate / atropine) might be at risk for prolonged or worsening colitis.
If you experience diarrhea that doesn't go away, especially if it's bloody and causes severe stomach cramps, stop using Onexton (clindamycin / benzoyl peroxide) and seek medical help. In some people, these symptoms might not happen until a few weeks after stopping the medication.
Sunburn
Your skin can become more sensitive to ultraviolet (UV) light while using Onexton (clindamycin / benzoyl peroxide). Too much exposure to UV light can even cause severe sunburn. Minimize your exposure to sunlight, sun lamps, and tanning beds during and immediately following treatment with Onexton (clindamycin / benzoyl peroxide). If possible, limit your time out in the sun or seek shade when you're outside. If you plan on spending time in the sun, ask your dermatologist about using sunscreen and wearing protective clothing (e.g., hats, long-sleeved shirts).
Skin irritations
Using other topical acne medications along with Onexton (clindamycin / benzoyl peroxide) can cause skin irritation, such as peeling and flakey skin. If this happens, your dermatologist might ask you to temporarily stop treatment or use the medications less often until the skin irritation gets better. But if you experience severe skin irritation, your dermatologist will likely ask you to stop treatment and consider other options.
Onexton (clindamycin / benzoyl peroxide) dosage
Gel pump| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50g of 1.2%/3.75% | 1 pump | $717.92 | $717.92 |
Typical dosage for Onexton (clindamycin / benzoyl peroxide)
Onexton contains 1.2% of clindamycin and 3.75% of benzoyl peroxide.
Clean the affected areas with a mild cleanser and warm water and pat the skin dry. Then, apply a pea-sized amount into a thin layer over the affected area(s) on your face once per day.
How much does Onexton (clindamycin / benzoyl peroxide) cost?
$717.92
Onexton (clindamycin / benzoyl peroxide) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Onexton (clindamycin / benzoyl peroxide) will not be safe for you to take.
- Allergy lincomycin
- History of certain inflammatory gut problems (e.g., ulcerative colitis, antibiotic-associated colitis, or regional enteritis)
What are alternatives to Onexton (clindamycin / benzoyl peroxide)?
Onexton (clindamycin / benzoyl peroxide) images
