Dalatina is a Mexican brand of topical clindamycin used to treat acne. Acne is a very common skin condition that causes pimples mostly on the face, forehead, chest, shoulders and upper back. There are a variety of causes including genetics, fluctuating hormone levels, stress, high humidity and using oily or greasy personal care products. Acne commonly affects teenagers but can occur at any age.
Dalatina Gel is in a class of medications called lincomycin antibiotics. It works by slowing or stopping the growth of bacteria that cause acne and by decreasing swelling. Dalatina will not cure your acne. However, to help keep your acne under control, keep using this medicine for the full time of treatment, even if your symptoms begin to clear up after a few days. You may have to continue using this medicine every day for months or even longer in some cases. If you stop using this medicine too soon, your symptoms may return. It is important that you do not miss any doses.
What special precautions should I follow when using Dalatina?
Before using Dalatina gel,
• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to Dalatina, lincomycin (Lincocin), or any other medications.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention erythromycin (E.E.S., E-Mycin, Erythrocin, others) and any other medications that are applied to the skin. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had inflammatory bowel disease (IBD; condition in which all or part of the lining of the intestine is swollen, irritated, or has sores) or severe diarrhea caused by an antibiotic. Your doctor may tell you not to use Dalatina gel.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had asthma, eczema (sensitive skin that often becomes itchy or irritated) or allergies.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while using Dalatina gel, call your doctor.
• if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using Dalatina gel.
• you should know that abrasive or medicated soaps and skin products that contain alcohol may make the side effects of Dalatina gel worse. Talk to your doctor about the skin care products you plan to use during your treatment with Dalatina gel.
How to use Dalatina gel
Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use Dalatina gel exactly as directed. Do not apply more or less of it or apply it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Dalatina gel is only for use on the skin. Do not swallow the medication, and do not get the medication in your eyes, nose, mouth, or vagina. If you do get the medication in your eyes, nose, or mouth, or on broken skin, rinse it out with plenty of cool water.
Your Dalatina gel comes with directions for use. Read these directions and follow them carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about how to apply Dalatina gel.
The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor’s orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
- For acne:
- Adults and children 12 years of age and over—Apply two times a day to areas affected by acne.
- Infants and children up to 12 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose of this medicine, apply it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.
What are the side effects of dalatina gel?
Along with its needed effects, dalatina gel may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Rare
• Abdominal or stomach cramps, pain, and bloating (severe)
• diarrhea (watery and severe), which may also be bloody
• fever
• increased thirst
• nausea or vomiting
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• weight loss (unusual)—these side effects may also occur up to several weeks after you stop using this medicine
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
Less common
• Skin rash, itching, redness, swelling, or other sign of irritation not present before use of this medicine
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
• Dryness, scaliness, or peeling of skin
Less common
• Abdominal pain
• diarrhea (mild)
• headache
• irritation or oiliness of skin
• stinging or burning feeling of skin
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Dalatina Gel Safety Information
If your acne does not improve within about 6 weeks, or if it becomes worse, check with your health care professional. However, treatment of acne may take up to 8 to 12 weeks before full improvement is seen.
If your doctor has ordered another medicine to be applied to the skin along with this medicine, it is best to apply them at different times. This may help keep your skin from becoming too irritated. Also, if the medicines are used at or near the same time, they may not work properly.
For patients using the Dalatina Gel:
- This medicine may cause the skin to become unusually dry, even with normal use. If this occurs, check with your doctor.
In some patients, Dalatina Gel may cause diarrhea.
- Severe diarrhea may be a sign of a serious side effect. Do not take any diarrhea medicine without first checking with your doctor . Diarrhea medicines may make your diarrhea worse or make it last longer.
- For mild diarrhea, only diarrhea medicine containing attapulgite (e.g., Kaopectate, Diasorb) may be taken. Other kinds of diarrhea medicine (e.g., Imodium A.D. or Lomotil) should not be taken. They may make your condition worse or make it last longer.
- If you have any questions about this or if mild diarrhea continues or gets worse, check with your health care professional.
You may continue to use cosmetics (make-up) while you are using this medicine for acne. However, it is best to use only “water-base” cosmetics. Also, it is best not to use cosmetics too heavily or too often. They may make your acne worse. If you have any questions about this, check with your doctor.
