Veltin

Pronunciation: KLIN-da-MYE-sin/TRET-i-noin
Generic Name: Clindamycin/Tretinoin
Brand Name: Examples include Veltin and Ziana

Veltin is used for:

Treating acne.

Veltin is a lincosamide antibiotic and retinoid combination. The antibiotic kills bacteria that cause acne. The retinoid may reduce the tendency for skin cells to stick together. This may reduce the formation of acne and allow quicker healing of acne that does develop.

Do NOT use Veltin if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Veltin or to lincomycin


• you have stomach or bowel inflammation (eg, Crohn disease, enteritis, ulcerative colitis)


• you have a history of severe diarrhea or other bowel problems caused by antibiotic use


• you are using a product that contains erythromycin

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Veltin:

Some medical conditions may interact with Veltin. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding


• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement


• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances


• if you have an open wound, sunburn, or damaged skin at the application site


• if you have a history of eczema, high white blood cell counts, or stomach or bowel problems

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Veltin. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Products that contain erythromycin because they may decrease Veltin's effectiveness.

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Veltin may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Veltin:

Use Veltin as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• An extra patient leaflet is available with Veltin. Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information.


• Apply Veltin at bedtime unless your doctor tells you otherwise.


• Veltin is for external use only. Do not get it in the eyes, vagina, or mouth; on the lips; or in the angles of the nose. If you get it in your eyes, rinse at once with cool tap water.


• Do NOT apply Veltin to open wounds.


• Wash your face gently with mild soap and water. Pat the skin dry. Apply a pea-size amount of Veltin to the tip of your finger. Dot onto the chin, cheeks, nose, and forehead. Gently smooth Veltin over the entire face until it is completely rubbed in.


• Wash your hands immediately after using Veltin.


• Use Veltin on a regular schedule to get the most benefit from it. Continue to use it even if your skin appears to improve. Do not miss any doses.


• If you miss a dose of Veltin, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not use 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Veltin.

Important safety information:

• Several weeks may pass before you see improvement in your acne. If your symptoms do not get better or if they get worse, check with your doctor.


• Do NOT use more than the recommended dose or use for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor. Doing so may increase the risk of skin irritation.


• Do not use other topical medicines or products that have a strong drying effect. Some examples are medicated or abrasive soaps; certain cosmetics; or products with large amounts of alcohol, spices, lime, or astringents. These products may increase your risk for skin irritation.


• Windy or cold weather may increase the risk of skin irritation while you are using Veltin.


• Veltin may cause you to become sunburned more easily. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Veltin. Wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time. Use sunscreen each day, even on cloudy days. Reapply the sunscreen throughout the day as needed.


• Do not apply Veltin to skin that is sunburned. Wait until the burn is fully healed before using Veltin.


• Tell your doctor or dentist that you use Veltin before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.


• If severe diarrhea, stomach pain or cramping, or bloody stools develop during treatment or within several months after treatment with Veltin, check with your doctor or pharmacist right away. Do not treat it without first checking with your doctor.


• Veltin should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 12 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.


• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Veltin while you are pregnant. It is not known if Veltin is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while using Veltin.

Possible side effects of Veltin:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Dry skin; mild burning, itching, peeling, redness, scaling, or stinging of the skin; temporary change in skin color.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); blistered, crusted, or swollen skin; bloody, severe, or persistent diarrhea; mucus in stools; severe or persistent burning, itching, peeling, redness, or scaling of the skin; stomach cramps or pain.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Veltin side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Veltin may be harmful if swallowed.

Proper storage of Veltin:

Store Veltin at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not freeze. Keep the tube tightly closed. Keep Veltin out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Veltin, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Veltin is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Veltin. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Veltin resources

• Veltin Side Effects (in more detail)
• Veltin Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Veltin Drug Interactions
• Veltin Support Group
• 6 Reviews for Veltin - Add your own review/rating

• Veltin Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Veltin Consumer Overview


• Ziana Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Ziana Consumer Overview

Compare Veltin with other medications

• Acne