Skip to main content

Clindagel

Generic: CLINDAMYCIN

Verified·Apr 23, 2026
Manufacturer
Bausch Health
NDC
16781-462
RxCUI
309332
Route
TOPICAL
ICD-10 indication
L70.0

Affordability Check

How much will you actually pay for Clindagel?

In 30 seconds, see every legitimate way to afford Clindagel — Medicare copay, manufacturer copay card, Patient Assistance Program, grants, or cash.

Check my options →

About Clindagel

What is this medication?

Clindagel is a topical prescription medication primarily used for the treatment of acne vulgaris in adults and children at least 12 years old. It contains clindamycin phosphate, which is an antibiotic that belongs to the lincosamide family. When applied to the skin, the medication works by stopping or slowing the growth of bacteria that contribute to the development of acne. This helps to reduce the number of acne lesions and prevents the formation of new pimples over time.

In addition to its antibacterial properties, Clindagel helps to decrease the inflammation and redness associated with breakouts. The gel formulation is designed to be applied in a thin layer once daily to the affected areas of the skin. It is important for patients to follow their doctor's specific instructions and to be patient, as it may take several weeks of regular use before a noticeable improvement in skin clarity occurs.

Copay & patient assistance

  • Patient Copay Amount: $0 (Free)
  • Maximum Annual Benefit Limit: Not Publicly Available
  • Core Eligibility Restrictions: Patients with limited or no insurance coverage; Medicaid patients whose plans have stopped covering Bausch Health medications; must demonstrate financial need; must have a valid prescription; eligibility is limited to 1 year before reapplication is required.
  • RxBIN, PCN, and Group numbers: Not Publicly Available

External links go directly to the manufacturer's portal. RxCopays does not receive compensation for referrals.

Compare pricing elsewhere

RxCopays doesn't sell drugs or take referral fees. Here are the transparent-pricing directories we recommend checking alongside your insurance formulary.

We deep-link because transparency helps patients. None of these partners pay RxCopays.

Prescribing information

From the FDA-approved label for Clindagel. Official source: DailyMed (NLM) · Label effective Jan 1, 2020

Indications and usage
CLINICAL STUDIES In one 12-week multicenter, randomized, evaluator-blind, vehicle-controlled, parallel comparison clinical trial in which patients used CLINDAGEL (clindamycin phosphate topical gel, 1%) once daily or the vehicle gel once daily, in the treatment of acne vulgaris of mild to moderate severity, CLINDAGEL applied once daily was more effective than the vehicle applied once daily. The mean percent reductions in lesion counts at the end of treatment in this study are shown in the following table: Lesions CLINDAGEL QD N=162 Vehicle Gel QD N=82 Inflammatory 51% 40% P<0.05 Noninflammatory 25% 12% Total 38% 27% There was a trend in the investigator’s global assessment of the results, which favored CLINDAGEL QD over the vehicle QD. In a contact sensitization study, four of the 200 subjects appeared to develop suggestive evidence of allergic contact sensitization to CLINDAGEL. There was no signal for contact sensitization in the clinical trials under normal use conditions.
Dosage and administration
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Apply a thin film of CLINDAGEL once daily to the skin where acne lesions appear. Use enough to cover the entire affected area lightly. Keep container tightly closed.
Contraindications
CONTRAINDICATIONS CLINDAGEL is contraindicated in individuals with a history of hypersensitivity to preparations containing clindamycin or lincomycin, a history of regional enteritis or ulcerative colitis, or a history of antibiotic-associated colitis.
Warnings
WARNINGS Orally and parenterally administered clindamycin has been associated with severe colitis, which may result in patient death. Use of the topical formulation of clindamycin results in absorption of the antibiotic from the skin surface. Diarrhea, bloody diarrhea, and colitis (including pseudomembranous colitis) have been reported with the use of topical and systemic clindamycin. Studies indicate a toxin(s) produced by Clostridia is one primary cause of antibiotic-associated colitis. The colitis is usually characterized by severe persistent diarrhea and severe abdominal cramps and may be associated with the passage of blood and mucus. Endoscopic examination may reveal pseudomembranous colitis. Stool culture for Clostridium difficile and stool assay for C. difficile toxin may be helpful diagnostically. When significant diarrhea occurs, the drug should be discontinued. Large bowel endoscopy should be considered to establish a definitive diagnosis in cases of severe diarrhea. Antiperistaltic agents, such as opiates and diphenoxylate with atropine, may prolong and/or worsen the condition. Diarrhea, colitis, and pseudomembranous colitis have been observed to begin up to several weeks following cessation of oral and parenteral therapy with clindamycin.
Adverse reactions
ADVERSE REACTIONS In the one well-controlled clinical study comparing CLINDAGEL and its vehicle, the incidence of skin and appendages adverse events occurring in ≥1% of the patients in either group is presented in the following table: Number (%) of Patients Body System/Adverse Event CLINDAGEL QD N=168 Vehicle Gel QD N=84 Skin and Appendages Disorders Dermatitis 0 (0.0) 1 (1.2) Dermatitis contact 0 (0.0) 1 (1.2) Dermatitis fungal 0 (0.0) 1 (1.2) Folliculitis 0 (0.0) 1 (1.2) Photosensitivity reaction 0 (0.0) 1 (1.2) Pruritus 1 (0.6) 1 (1.2) Rash erythematous 0 (0.0) 0 (0.0) Skin dry 0 (0.0) 0 (0.0) Peeling 1 (0.6) 0 (0.0) Orally and parenterally administered clindamycin has been associated with severe colitis, which may end fatally. Cases of diarrhea, bloody diarrhea, and colitis (including pseudomembranous colitis) have been reported as adverse reactions in patients treated with oral and parenteral formulations of clindamycin and rarely with topical clindamycin (see WARNINGS ). Abdominal pain and gastrointestinal disturbances, as well as gram-negative folliculitis, have also been reported in association with the use of topical formulations of clindamycin. To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Bausch Health US, LLC at 1-800-321-4576 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Label text is reproduced as-is from the FDA-approved label. We do not paraphrase, summarize, or omit. Content above is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your prescribing clinician or pharmacist before making decisions about your medication.

Conditions we've indexed resources for

Click a condition to see copay cards, grants, and PA rules specific to it. For the full list of FDA-approved indications, see Prescribing information above.

Medicare Part D coverage

How Clindagel appears across Medicare Part D plan formularies nationally. Source: CMS monthly Prescription Drug Plan file (2026-04-30).

Covered by plans

70%

3,880 of 5,509 plans

Most common tier

Tier 3

On 37% of covering formularies

Prior authorization required

21%

of covering formularies

TierFormularies on this tierShare
Tier 1 (preferred generic)52
22%
Tier 2 (generic)60
26%
Tier 3 (preferred brand)87
37%
Tier 4 (non-preferred brand)35
15%

Step therapy: 0% of formularies

Quantity limits: 64% of formularies

Coverage breadth: 234 of 65 formularies

How to read this:plans on the same formulary share tier + PA rules. Your specific plan's copay depends on (a) the tier above, (b) your plan's cost-share for that tier, (c) whether you're in the initial coverage phase or past the 2026 $2,000 out-of-pocket cap. For your exact plan, check its Summary of Benefits or log in to your Medicare.gov account. Copay cards don't apply to Medicare (federal law).

Prior authorization & coverage

PayerPAStep therapyCopay tier

Medicare Part D

Related drugs

How this page is sourced

  • Drug identity verified against openFDA NDC Directory.
  • Label text (when shown) originates from NLM DailyMed.
  • Copay and assistance URLs verified periodically; if you hit a broken link, tell us.