Duac Gel

What is Duac Gel?

Duac Gel is a topical acne treatment and is the first line treatment for mild to moderate acne.

Duac gel works by killing and stopping the spread of bacteria present on the skin that is responsible for causing acne, spots, and pimples.

This antibiotic gel contains two medicines, clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide. These active ingredients work together to kill the bacteria that is responsible for spreading acne.

Most people who use Duac gel once a day will notice an improvement after between 2 and 4 weeks.

What is Duac gel used to treat?

Duac Gel is an effective treatment for mild to moderate cases of acne. It successfully treats acne by reducing the appearance of whiteheads, blackheads and the spread of bacteria responsible for causing acne. If you cannot take oral treatments, Duac Gel makes an excellent and effective topical alternative.

According to the NHS, about 95% of people between the ages of 11 and 30 are affected by acne to some extent.

How does Duac gel work to treat acne?

Clindamycin is a topical antibiotic and is the first line treatment for mild to moderate acne.

It works by stopping the bacteria in acne from reproducing and spreading on the skin, causing spots, inflammation (redness) and other symptoms of acne.

Benzoyl peroxide removes blockages in the pores of your skin; it also has antibacterial properties. After clindamycin has stopped the bacteria from reproducing, benzoyl peroxide can then kill the bacteria, which reduces pimples, inflammation and improves the appearance of acne.

When used together, these two medicines can also help to treat existing whiteheads and blackheads.

How long does Duac gel take to work?

Generally, people who use this product to treat acne will start to notice initial results after using Duac once a day for between 2 and 4 weeks.

Your skin should have cleared up completely after using Duac for three months. After this period of time, you are normally advised to keep applying the gel to the skin to prevent a relapse in your acne symptoms.

Does Duac Gel improve the appearance of acne scars?

Some people find that a secondary benefit of Duac is that it can lessen the appearance of acne scars on the skin. Acne scars are generally difficult to treat, but they do tend to fade over time.

To lessen the risk and severity of scarring, you should not squeeze or pick your spots.

Other treatments, particularly those containing retinoids such as Treclin Gel, are clinically proven to reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

Who can use Duac Gel?

Do not use this medicine if you are allergic to benzoyl peroxide, clindamycin or any of the other ingredients contained in the gel (please refer to the Ingredients tab for full details).

Speak to your doctor or pharmacist before using this treatment if you have or have ever had any of the following gut conditions:

• Ulcerative colitis
• Regional enteritis
• Antibiotic-associated colitis

Can you buy Duac gel over the counter?

Duac gel is a prescription only medicine, you can not buy it over the counter and can only purchase it if you have a prescription from a doctor or prescriber.

Can you buy Duac gel online in the UK?

You can buy Duac online from regulated pharmacies like Medicine Direct. However, as this is a prescription-only medicine (POM), you will be required to complete a confidential questionnaire for one of our prescribers to review. This is to make certain that Duac Gel is the most appropriate treatment for your acne.

Next day delivery is available on orders that are placed before 2pm.

What alternatives are there to Duac?

Over the counter medicines may be enough to control your acne. Benzoyl peroxide is a common ingredient in pharmacy treatments for acne, so you may find that you do not need a prescription-only medication like Duac to control the problem.

Acne products containing retinoids such as Treclin Gel and Differin and cream are also highly effective treatments.

Medicine Direct stocks various treatments for this skin condition. Other topical treatments we stock include Acnecide, Zineryt and Dalacin T. All of these medicines can be bought after an online consultation.

Our full range of acne medicines can be viewed on the Acne product page.

Duac Gel Dosage and Directions

Our pharmacists and prescribers follow NICE prescribing guidelines when prescribing Duac Gel.

The table below shows how much you should use depending on the area you are treating.

Do not use Duac for longer than 12 weeks.

This medicine is for topical use only - keep it away from your eyes, lips, mouth and nostrils. If the treatment comes into contact with any of these areas, rinse thoroughly with clean water.

How to use Duac Gel

You should apply Duac Gel once a day, in the evening. Your doctor will tell you how long you should use it for.

1. Remove any makeup you may have on your face.
2. Wash the affected area well before rinsing with warm water and gently patting it dry.
3. Using your fingertips, apply a thin layer of gel to the entire area of affected skin.
4. Do not just apply to individual spots; apply the gel to all the areas of your skin affected by acne.
5. Wash your hands after you have applied the medicine.

Read the patient information leaflet for full instructions.

Duac Gel Side effects

Like all medicines, Duac Once Daily Gel comes with the risk of certain side effects, although not everyone gets them.

Common side effects of Duac include:

• Redness, peeling or dryness of the skin
• Headaches
• Burning, pain or sensitivity to sunlight

Some people may experience:

• Tingling
• Worsening of acne
• Red, itchy skin
• Rash

Speak to your doctor or pharmacist if any of these reactions bother you or do not go away.

Please refer to the Side Effects tab for rarer reactions.

Serious Side Effects

You should stop using this gel and seek medical attention if you suffer any of the following side effects of Duac:

• Severe or prolonged abdominal cramps or diarrhoea (including bloody diarrhoea)
• Inflammation of the intestine

In rare cases you may suffer a severe allergic reaction and require immediate treatment in hospital. Stop using the gel and call 999 or go to A&E straight away if:

• You develop a skin rash that may have red, itchy, swollen, blistered or peeling skin
• You are finding it difficult to breathe or speak
• You have swelling in your face, mouth, throat, tongue or lips
• You have tightness in your chest or throat
• You are wheezing

Always read the patient information leaflet for full details on side effects

Duac Gel Warnngs and Drug Interactions

Inform your doctor if you are already taking any of the following:

• Any other form of acne treatment
• Any medicated or 'abrasive' soaps or cleansers
• Soaps or cosmetics that have a strong drying effect
• Any products containing large amounts of astringents or alcohol
• Any products that contain tretinoin, isotretinoin or tazarotene
• Any medicines containing erythromycin

For more information on medicines that interact with Duac Gel.

Is it safe to use Duac Gel during pregnancy and breastfeeding?

There is only limited information available as to whether Duac Once Daily Gel is suitable to be used by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

For this reason, you should inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are currently pregnant, think you might be pregnant, are trying to get pregnant or are breastfeeding, before you start to use this gel.

Duac Gel Ingredients

The main active ingredients within this medicine are: Benzoyl peroxide and Clindamycin phosphate

For a full list of the inactive ingredients, please read the Summary of Product Characteristics

How much does Duac Gel cost to buy online in the UK?