Clindamycin and Dapsone

Clindamycin

Clindamycin works in much the same way as tetracycline. It suppresses the growth of P. acnes and inhibits lipase. It is also fat soluble and is accumulated in the sebaceous gland and secreted with sebum. The absorption of the drug from the digestive tract is good.

Clindamycin is effective in the treatment of acne. However, severe drug rashes and a severe diarrhoeal illness (colitis) have been associated with its use. Clindamycin is also available as an application for acne. However, colitis have also been reported with this preparation. Some dermatologists are reluctant to use this drug because of these side effects. It is mainly reserved for severe acne that does not respond to other antibiotics.

Dapsone

This is a drug structurally related to other sulphur drugs. It has been found to be very effective in more severe acne, for example cystic acne. This drug may depress bone marrow production of blood cells and may damage red blood cells and cause anaemia. The damage on the red blood cells is espeically severe in persons who have G6PD deficiency (an inherited blood disorder in which red cells rupture and anaemia results on exposure to certain types of drugs). Therefore, dapsone is reserved for very severe types of acne.


NO MORE PIMPLES, A SELF-CARE GUIDE, DR. LIM KAH-BENG