Duac Once Daily Gel

What is Duac?

Duac is a gel you can use to treat acne. It helps reduce the appearance of spots, pimples and blackheads. Duac gel contains two active ingredients: clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide.

How does Duac work?

There are two active ingredients in Duac that work together to treat acne. The antibiotic, clindamycin, kills bacteria to stop spot production and benzoyl peroxide reduces the appearance of blackheads and whiteheads.

How effective is Duac?

Duac is an effective acne treatment when used under the guidance of your doctor. It can take two to five weeks of applying Duac daily to notice any skin improvement. Try to allow enough time for Duac to work, but see your doctor if you feel your acne is getting worse.

Where can I use Duac?

Duac can be used on any affected area of the face or body as advised by your doctor. Avoid sensitive areas around your eyes, mouth or any areas of broken, irritated or sunburnt skin.

How to use Duac?

Duac should be applied once a day in the evening for upto 12 weeks. Wash your skin and pat it dry. Then apply a thin layer of the gel onto the affected area. Remember to wash your hands after using the gel. Always follow your doctor’s advice on how to use Duac.

Duac dosage

Duac gel is 1% clindamycin and 3% or 5% benzoyl peroxide. A thin layer should be applied. Applying too much Duac gel can cause skin irritation.

Duac side effects

There are some common side effects people experience during the first few weeks of using Duac gel. These include: 

• Skin redness
• Burning sensation 
• Dry skin
• Itching and peeling 
• Headache
• Dermatitis 
• Sensitivity to sunlight 

Severe side effects which require immediate emergency medical attention include: 

• An allergic reaction such as swelling of the face, tongue or eyes, problems breathing or a rash
• Severe diarrhoea or stomach cramps
• Severe rash, burning or peeling

Contraindications

You should not use Duac gel if you are allergic to clindamycin, lincomycin, benzoyl peroxide or any of the other ingredients. Check with your doctor if any of the following apply: 

• If you’ve ever had regional enteritis, ulcerative colitis or antibiotic-associated colitis
• If you have used medicines containing clindamycin or erythromycin recently

Duac should not be applied to sensitive or irritated skin, for example skin with cuts, scrapes or sunburn. Avoid using sunbeds while using Duac and minimise the time you spend out in the sun. Use a high SPF sunscreen to protect your skin. Duac can bleach surfaces, fabrics and hair.

Drug interactions

If you are taking an antibiotic treatment containing erythromycin you will not be able to use Duac at the same time. Let your doctor know if you are using: 

• Additional acne treatments 
• Medicated skin products 
• Abrasive skin products
• Skin products containing a large amount of alcohol or astringents 

Using additional acne treatments containing dapsone and sulfacetamide at the same time as Duac can cause your skin to turn yellow or orange. This is temporary and will fade over time.

Duac and moisturiser

Moisturiser can help reduce flaky or dry skin caused by using Duac. Apply Duac gel first and allow your skin to absorb it before applying moisturiser. It’s important to avoid any alcohol based moisturisers as this can make dry skin worse.

Duac and pregnancy

You should speak to your doctor if you are planning to use Duac during pregnancy.

Duac vs other acne treatments

While Duac is an effective acne treatment, topical retinoids such as Differin are a good alternative. The benzoyl peroxide in Duac can cause skin irritation. In comparison Differin may feel milder. Azelaic acid creams are a suitable alternative if you experience irritation or peeling with Duac. The combined oral contraceptive pill can be prescribed for women with acne.

Can I use Duac with other acne treatments?

Duac can be used alongside other acne treatments. However, avoid using Duac with acne treatments that contain tretinoin, isotretinoin or tazarotene. Using more than one acne treatment at the same time may cause skin dryness.

Can I wear make up if I’m using Duac?

You can still wear makeup as usual when using Duac. Try to use cosmetics which don’t clog your pores.

Do I need a prescription for Duac?

Duac is a prescription only medicine and cannot be bought over the counter at a pharmacy.

Active ingredients

The active ingredients in Duac gel are clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide.

Inactive ingredients

The inactive ingredients in Duac gel are carbomer, dimeticone, disodium lauryl sulfosuccinate, disodium edetate, glycerol, silica, poloxamer 182, purified water and sodium hydroxide.

Which ingredients can cause an allergic reaction?

Duac has been known to cause a rare but serious allergic reaction or severe skin irritation in some people using the medication. You should stop using this medicine and get immediate medical attention if you develop these symptoms: a rash, itching, difficulty breathing, dizziness and chest tightness. Please stop using the medication if you have these symptoms and let your doctor know as soon as possible.