Skip to main content

Clindamycin Phosphate 1.2% and Tretinoin 0.025%

Generic: clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin

Verified·Apr 23, 2026
Manufacturer
Bausch Health
NDC
68682-300
RxCUI
882548
Route
TOPICAL
ICD-10 indication
L70.0

Affordability Check

How much will you actually pay for Clindamycin Phosphate 1.2% and Tretinoin 0.025%?

In 30 seconds, see every legitimate way to afford Clindamycin Phosphate 1.2% and Tretinoin 0.025% — Medicare copay, manufacturer copay card, Patient Assistance Program, grants, or cash.

Check my options →

About Clindamycin Phosphate 1.2% and Tretinoin 0.025%

What is this medication?

Clindamycin phosphate 1.2% and tretinoin 0.025% is a combination topical gel used primarily for the treatment of acne vulgaris. This medication combines two different types of active ingredients to address multiple causes of skin breakouts. Clindamycin is a lincosamide antibiotic that works by slowing or stopping the growth of bacteria that contribute to acne and by reducing skin inflammation. Tretinoin is a retinoid, a form of vitamin A, that works by increasing skin cell turnover and helping to keep pores clear, which prevents the formation of new pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads.

The medication is typically applied once daily before bed to the affected areas of the skin. Because it contains a retinoid, it can make the skin significantly more sensitive to sunlight, wind, and cold, so users are generally advised to use sunscreen and protective clothing during the day. Common side effects include skin dryness, redness, and peeling, especially during the first few weeks of treatment. By combining an antibiotic with a retinoid, this prescription provides a dual-action approach that is often more effective at clearing stubborn acne than using either medication individually.

Copay & patient assistance

Detailed copay and financial assistance information is not publicly available for this medication at this time. Please consult your pharmacist or the manufacturer's official patient support program for more details.

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 Clindamycin Phosphate 1.2% and Tretinoin 0.025%. Official source: DailyMed (NLM) · Label effective Apr 1, 2020

Indications and usage
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Clindamycin Phosphate 1.2% and Tretinoin 0.025% Gel is indicated for the topical treatment of acne vulgaris in patients 12 years or older. Clindamycin Phosphate 1.2% and Tretinoin 0.025% Gel is a lincosamide antibiotic and retinoid combination product indicated for the topical treatment of acne vulgaris in patients 12 years or older. ( 1 )
Dosage and administration
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION At bedtime, squeeze a pea-sized amount of medication onto one fingertip, dot onto the chin, cheeks, nose, and forehead, then gently rub over the entire face. Clindamycin Phosphate 1.2% and Tretinoin 0.025% Gel should be kept away from the eyes, the mouth, angles of the nose, and mucous membranes. Clindamycin Phosphate 1.2% and Tretinoin 0.025% Gel is not for oral, ophthalmic, or intravaginal use. • Apply a pea-sized amount to the entire face once daily at bedtime. Do not apply to eyes, mouth, angles of the nose, or mucous membranes. ( 2 ) • Clindamycin Phosphate 1.2% and Tretinoin 0.025% Gel is not for oral, ophthalmic, or intravaginal use. ( 2 )
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS Clindamycin Phosphate 1.2% and Tretinoin 0.025% Gel is contraindicated in patients with regional enteritis, ulcerative colitis, or history of antibiotic-associated colitis. Clindamycin Phosphate 1.2% and Tretinoin 0.025% Gel is contraindicated in patients with regional enteritis, ulcerative colitis, or history of antibiotic-associated colitis. ( 4 )
Warnings and precautions
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS • Colitis: Clindamycin can cause severe colitis, which may result in death. Diarrhea, bloody diarrhea, and colitis (including pseudomembranous colitis) have been reported with the use of clindamycin. Clindamycin Phosphate 1.2% and Tretinoin 0.025% Gel should be discontinued if significant diarrhea occurs. ( 5.1 ) • Ultraviolet Light and Environmental Exposures: Avoid exposure to sunlight and sunlamps. Wear sunscreen daily. ( 5.2 ) 5.1 Colitis Systemic absorption of clindamycin has been demonstrated following topical use of this product. Diarrhea, bloody diarrhea, and colitis (including pseudomembranous colitis) have been reported with the use of topical clindamycin. When significant diarrhea occurs, Clindamycin Phosphate 1.2% and Tretinoin 0.025% Gel should be discontinued. Severe colitis has occurred following oral or parenteral administration of clindamycin with an onset of up to several weeks following cessation of therapy. Antiperistaltic agents such as opiates and diphenoxylate with atropine may prolong and/or worsen severe colitis. Severe colitis may result in death. 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. Stool cultures for Clostridium difficile and stool assay for C. difficile toxin may be helpful diagnostically. 5.2 Ultraviolet Light and Environmental Exposure Exposure to sunlight, including sunlamps, should be avoided during the use of Clindamycin Phosphate 1.2% and Tretinoin 0.025% Gel, and patients with sunburn should be advised not to use the product until fully recovered because of heightened susceptibility to sunlight as a result of the use of tretinoin. Patients who may be required to have considerable sun exposure due to occupation and those with inherent sensitivity to the sun should exercise particular caution. Daily use of sunscreen products and protective apparel (e.g., a hat) are recommended. Weather extremes, such as wind or cold, also may be irritating to patients under treatment with Clindamycin Phosphate 1.2% and Tretinoin 0.025% Gel.
Drug interactions
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS • Concomitant use of topical medications with a strong drying effect can increase skin irritation. Use with caution. ( 7.1 ) • Clindamycin Phosphate 1.2% and Tretinoin 0.025% Gel should not be used in combination with erythromycin-containing products because of its clindamycin component. ( 7.2 ) 7.1 Concomitant Topical Medication Concomitant topical medication, medicated or abrasive soaps and cleansers, soaps and cosmetics that have a strong drying effect, and products with high concentrations of alcohol, astringents, spices or lime should be used with caution. When used with Clindamycin Phosphate 1.2% and Tretinoin 0.025% Gel, there may be increased skin irritation. 7.2 Erythromycin Clindamycin Phosphate 1.2% and Tretinoin 0.025% Gel should not be used in combination with erythromycin-containing products due to its clindamycin component. In vitro studies have shown antagonism between these two antimicrobials. The clinical significance of this in vitro antagonism is not known. 7.3 Neuromuscular Blocking Agents Clindamycin has been shown to have neuromuscular blocking properties that may enhance the action of other neuromuscular blocking agents. Therefore, Clindamycin Phosphate 1.2% and Tretinoin 0.025% Gel should be used with caution in patients receiving such agents.
Adverse reactions
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS Observed local adverse reactions in patients treated with Clindamycin Phosphate 1.2% and Tretinoin 0.025% Gel were skin erythema, scaling, itching, burning, and stinging. Other most commonly reported adverse events (≥1% in patients treated with Clindamycin Phosphate 1.2% and Tretinoin 0.025% Gel) were nasopharyngitis, pharyngolaryngeal pain, dry skin, cough, and sinusitis. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Oceanside Pharmaceuticals at 1-800-321-4576 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Studies Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under prescribed conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trial may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The adverse reaction information from clinical trials does, however, provide a basis for identifying the adverse reactions that appear to be related to drug use for approximating rates. The safety data presented in Table 1 (below) reflects exposure to Clindamycin Phosphate 1.2% and Tretinoin 0.025% Gel in 1853 patients with acne vulgaris. Patients were 12 years and older and were treated once daily for 12 weeks. Adverse reactions that were reported in ≥1% of patients treated with Clindamycin Phosphate 1.2% and Tretinoin 0.025% Gel were compared to adverse reactions in patients treated with clindamycin phosphate 1.2% in vehicle gel, tretinoin 0.025% in vehicle gel, and the vehicle gel alone: Table 1: Adverse Reactions Reported in at Least 1% of Patients Treated with Clindamycin Phosphate 1.2% and Tretinoin 0.025% Gel: 12-Week Studies Clindamycin Phosphate 1.2% and Tretinoin 0.025%Gel N=1853 N (%) Clindamycin N=1428 N (%) Tretinoin N=846 N (%) Vehicle N=423 N (%) PATIENTS WITH AT LEAST ONE AR 497 (27) 342 (24) 225 (27) 91 (22) Nasopharyngitis 65 (4) 64 (5) 16 (2) 5 (1) Pharyngolaryngeal pain 29 (2) 18 (1) 5 (1) 7 (2) Dry skin 23 (1) 7 (1) 3 (<1) 0 (0) Cough 19 (1) 21 (2) 9 (1) 2 (1) Sinusitis 19 (1) 19 (1) 15 (2) 4 (1) NOTE: Formulations used in all treatment arms were in the Clindamycin Phosphate 1.2% and Tretinoin 0.025% vehicle gel. Cutaneous safety and tolerance evaluations were conducted at each study visit in all of the clinical trials by assessment of erythema, scaling, itching, burning, and stinging: Table 2: Clindamycin Phosphate 1.2% and Tretinoin 0.025% Gel-Treated Patients with Local Skin Reactions Local Reaction Baseline N=1835 N (%) End of Treatment N=1614 N (%) Erythema 636 (35) 416 (26) Scaling 237 (13) 280 (17) Itching 189 (10) 70 (4) Burning 38 (2) 56 (4) Stinging 33 (2) 27 (2) At each study visit, application site reactions on a scale of 0 (none), 1 (mild), 2 (moderate), and 3 (severe), and the mean scores were calculated for each of the local skin reactions. In Studies 1 and 2, 1277 subjects enrolled with moderate to severe acne, 854 subjects treated with Clindamycin Phosphate 1.2% and Tretinoin 0.025% Gel and 423 treated with vehicle. Analysis over the 12-week period demonstrated that cutaneous irritation scores for erythema, scaling, itching, burning, and stinging peaked at 2 weeks of therapy, and were slightly higher for the Clindamycin Phosphate 1.2% and Tretinoin 0.025%-treated group, decreasing thereafter. One open-label 12-month safety study for Clindamycin Phosphate 1.2% and Tretinoin 0.025% Gel showed a similar adverse reaction profile as seen in the 12-week studies. Eighteen out of 442 subjects (4%) reported gastrointestinal symptoms.
Use in pregnancy
8.1 Pregnancy Pregnancy Category C. There are no well-controlled trials in pregnant women treated with Clindamycin Phosphate 1.2% and Tretinoin 0.025% Gel. Clindamycin Phosphate 1.2% and Tretinoin 0.025% Gel should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. Clindamycin Phosphate 1.2% and Tretinoin 0.025% Gel was tested for maternal and developmental toxicity in New Zealand White Rabbits with topical doses of 60, 180 and 600 mg/kg/day. Clindamycin Phosphate 1.2% and Tretinoin 0.025% Gel at 600 mg/kg/day (approximately 12 times the recommended clinical dose assuming 100% absorption and based on body surface area comparison) was considered to be the no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) for maternal and developmental toxicity following dermal administration of Clindamycin Phosphate 1.2% and Tretinoin 0.025% Gel for 2 weeks prior to artificial insemination and continuing until gestation day 18, inclusive. For purposes of comparisons of the animal exposure to human exposure, the recommended clinical dose is defined as 1 g of Clindamycin Phosphate 1.2% and Tretinoin 0.025% Gel applied daily to a 60 kg person. Clindamycin Teratology (Segment II) studies using clindamycin were performed orally in rats (up to 600 mg/kg/day) and mice (up to 100 mg/kg/day) (583 and 49 times amount of clindamycin in the recommended clinical dose based on body surface area comparison, respectively) or with subcutaneous doses of clindamycin up to 180 mg/kg/day (175 and 88 times the amount of clindamycin in the recommended clinical dose based on body surface area comparison, respectively) revealed no evidence of teratogenicity. Tretinoin In oral Segment III studies in rats with tretinoin, decreased survival of neonates and growth retardation were observed at doses in excess of 2 mg/kg/day (~78 times the recommended clinical dose assuming 100% absorption and based on body surface area comparison). With widespread use of any drug, a small number of birth defect reports associated temporally with the administration of the drug would be expected by chance alone. Thirty cases of temporally associated congenital malformations have been reported during two decades of clinical use of another formulation of topical tretinoin. Although no definite pattern of teratogenicity and no causal association have been established from these cases, five of the reports describe the rare birth defect category, holoprosencephaly (defects associated with incomplete midline development of the forebrain). The significance of these spontaneous reports in terms of risk to the fetus is not known. Dermal tretinoin has been shown to be fetotoxic in rabbits when administered in doses 40 times the recommended human clinical dose based on body surface area comparison. Oral tretinoin has been shown to be fetotoxic in rats when administered in doses 78 times the recommended clinical dose based on body surface area comparison.

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 Clindamycin Phosphate 1.2% and Tretinoin 0.025% appears across Medicare Part D plan formularies nationally. Source: CMS monthly Prescription Drug Plan file (2026-04-30).

Covered by plans

0%

23 of 5,509 plans

Most common tier

Tier 4

On 50% of covering formularies

Prior authorization required

100%

of covering formularies

TierFormularies on this tierShare
Tier 2 (generic)1
50%
Tier 4 (non-preferred brand)1
50%

Step therapy: 0% of formularies

Quantity limits: 50% of formularies

Coverage breadth: 2 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.