Treclin

What is Treclin?

Treclin is a gel which is used to treat moderate acne. You apply Treclin directly onto your skin. Treclin contains two medicines: tretinoin, which is a retinoid, and an antibiotic called clindamycin. Treclin is suitable for adults and children over the age of 12 years old.

How does Treclin work?

Treclin works in two ways. The antibiotic, clindamycin, kills bacteria which cause acne. You will experience reduced skin redness, soreness and inflammation. Tretinoin helps skin cells, which clog up the pores, to shed. This prevents sebum (oils) from building up and leading to new spots. Treclin is a highly effective acne treatment and is available from DrFelix.

How long does Treclin take to work?

Treclin usually takes upto 12 weeks to start working. Use Treclin regularly, normally once every evening, to see results.

How does Treclin get rid of acne?

Treclin gets rid of acne by killing off the bacteria that cause acne while simultaneously shedding skin cells that could block pores. This prevents excess oils from building up and new spots from coming up.

What causes adult acne?

The main cause of acne is hormonal changes or imbalances. This can happen at any age, being brought on by puberty, menstruation, pregnancy or menopause. Adult acne can affect men and women. Environmental factors, such as your diet and lifestyle, can also influence whether you develop acne. If your parents had acne, then you are more likely to get it too.

Will Treclin get rid of severe acne?

Treclin helps treat mild to moderate acne; therefore, it may not be suitable to use to treat severe acne. This is because severe acne will usually need a combination of oral antibiotics or isotretinoin and a suitable acne gel or cream as prescribed by a doctor. Severe acne comes up on the skin as cysts and nodules, which are large and often painful. Nodules grow underneath the skin and feel like hard lumps. Cysts are large, oval-shaped spots, which resemble boils, and may be filled with pus. Once severe acne has improved, Treclin can be used to continue the treatment of your acne.

Is Treclin an antibiotic?

Treclin contains an antibiotic called clindamycin and a retinoid called tretinoin. Clindamycin helps kill bacteria that cause acne, prevents the appearance of new spots and reduces skin redness.

Is Treclin a steroid?

Treclin is not a steroid. Treclin contains two types of medicines: a retinoid (tretinoin) and an antibiotic (clindamycin).

Treclin for acne scars

Treclin is designed to treat existing acne and prevent new spots from forming. Unfortunately, Treclin cannot treat old acne scars but will help you avoid new scars.

Active ingredients

The active ingredients in Treclin are clindamycin and tretinoin.

Inactive ingredients

The inactive ingredients in Treclin are: purified water, glycerol, carbomer, methyl parahydroxybenzoate (E218), polysorbate 80, disodium edetate, anhydrous citric acid, propyl parahydroxybenzoate (E216), butyl Hydroxytoluene (E321), trometamol.

Which ingredients can cause an allergic reaction?

Methylparahydroxybenzoate (E218) and propylparahydroxybenzoate (E216) which are ingredients in this medication may cause allergic reactions (possibly delayed), however, it is unlikely to have a serious allergic reaction to this drug. However, you should always seek immediate medical attention if you notice any of the symptoms of an allergic reaction: a rash/hives, itching/swelling of the face/tongue/lips, severe dizziness, difficulty breathing.

How to use Treclin?

Treclin should be applied directly to clean, dry skin before you go to bed. Gently squeeze out a pea-sized amount of Treclin gel and dab it all over the affected area. Spread the gel thinly and evenly over your skin. Using more gel will not make your acne disappear faster and can cause redness or irritation. If you experience these side effects, wash your face with a mild soap or cleanser and warm water. Stop using Treclin until your skin recovers.

You should typically use Treclin only once a day.

How long should I use Treclin for?

Always use Treclin for as long as your doctor has prescribed. You should use Treclin for up to 12 weeks. Even if your symptoms improve, stopping treatment early may mean your acne will return.

What should I do if I forget to use Treclin?

If you forget to use Treclin, skip the missed dose and apply the next one at your usual time in the evening. Do not use double the amount to make up for missing a dose.

What should I do if I use too much Treclin?

Using too much Treclin can cause irritation, redness and peeling of the skin. If you have applied too much Treclin, use a mild soap or cleanser and warm water to wash your face. Do not reapply until the next evening. Should you experience any side effects, stop using Treclin and wait for your skin to recover. Sometimes, using too much Treclin might upset your stomach. In this case, stop the treatment and see your doctor for advice.

Using Treclin may lead to side effects including: 

• Redness 
• Dry skin 
• Acne
• Oily skin
• Itching 
• Rash
• Photosensitivity 
• Sunburn 
• Hypersensitivity 
• Underactive thyroid (this causes fatigue, feeling weak, pale skin, weight gain)
• Headaches
• Eye irritation 
• Gastroenteritis 
• Nausea
• Inflamed skin 
• Cold sore
• Burning sensation

Contraindications

Do not use Treclin if you: 

• Are pregnant 
• Are planning a baby and trying to get pregnant
• Are breastfeeding
• Are allergic to any of the ingredients in the medicine 
• Are allergic to Lincomycin 
• Have inflammatory bowel disease 
• Have a history of colitis 
• Have a history of adverse effects from antibiotic treatment 
• Have ever experienced skin cancer or have a family history of skin cancer
• Have acute eczema 
• Have rosacea 
• Have any other inflammatory skin conditions 
• Have severe, cystic acne 

 The following precautions should be taken while using Treclin: 

• Avoid Treclin gel coming into contact with your mouth, eyes or sensitive areas of skin 
• If you experience ongoing diarrhoea or abdominal discomfort stop using Treclin and seek advice from your doctor 
• Avoid exposure to sunlight or artificial light and use SPF 30 or higher when going outdoors 
• If you get sunburnt, stop using Treclin until your skin heals 
• Do not apply any other products to your skin at the same time as Treclin 

Drug interactions

Do not use any skin products or treatments alongside Treclin which contain: 

• Sulphur
• Salicylic acid
• Benzoyl peroxide 
• Resorcinol 
• Chemical abrasives 

Speak to your doctor or pharmacist for advice if you are using anything containing these ingredients. 

Medicated cleansers, soaps or solutions should not be used alongside Treclin. Care should be taken if you use: 

• Abrasive cleansers 
• Products with a high alcohol concentration 
• Astringents 
• Products containing spices
• Products containing lime or other acidic ingredients

If you are taking any of the following medicines, ask your doctor for advice before using Treclin: 

• Erythromycin 
• Metronidazole 
• Aminoglycosides 
• Other types of antibiotics 
• Corticosteroids 
• Muscle relaxants 
• Warfarin 
• Other blood thinners

Can I use Treclin during pregnancy?

Treclin is not safe to use during pregnancy or while you are breastfeeding. If you are trying to get pregnant, do not use Treclin and speak to your doctor for advice.

Will Treclin affect my fertility?

Treclin will not affect your fertility. But, if you are pregnant or trying to have a baby, using Treclin can cause harm to an unborn baby.

Can I drink alcohol while using Treclin?

You can drink alcohol while using Treclin.

Alternatives to Treclin

To treat mild acne, you can try using over the counter products from a pharmacy. There are a range of creams and gels containing the active ingredient benzoyl peroxide, witch hazel and tea tree oil. If these are not effective, or your acne is severe, then your doctor can prescribe alternative treatments. This may include: 

• Topical retinoids 
• Topical antibiotics 
• Oral antibiotics 
• The combined contraceptive pill
• Azelaic acid 
• Oral isotretinoin

What are the different types of acne?

There are six different types of spots associated with acne: 

• Blackheads - these may be black or yellow in colour. They are caused by trapped hair and bacteria in the hair follicles. 
• Whiteheads - these are similar to blackheads, but do not contain pus and may be firmer.
• Papules - these are small bumps which are red in appearance and can feel tender.
• Pustules - these are small red bumps with a yellow or white pus-filled centre. 
• Nodules - these are large, painful lumps that build up underneath the skin's surface. 
• Cysts - these resemble boils in appearance. They are large, pus-filled lumps and the most severe type of acne.

Is Treclin available over the counter?

Treclin is only available on prescription and cannot be purchased over the counter at a pharmacy. You can buy Treclin from Dr Felix after a short online consultation.