Treclin gel

Treclin is a topical gel containing two active ingredients:

Clindamycin 1% — an antibiotic that reduces acne-causing bacteria and inflammation.

Tretinoin 0.025% — a retinoid that normalises skin cell turnover and helps prevent blocked pores.

Together, they target both inflammation and comedones, so the combination can be more effective than either ingredient alone.

Treclin is licensed for the treatment of acne in patients aged 12 years and older. It is used as part of wider acne treatment planning when a prescriber thinks it is appropriate.

Treclin may be suitable for:

• Teenagers and adults 12+
• Mild to moderate acne
• Acne with both inflammatory spots and comedones
• Patients who have not responded to single-agent treatments

• Avoid contact with eyes, mouth, mucous membranes, or broken skin.
• Treclin increases sun sensitivity — use SPF 30+ and avoid sunlamps.
• Stop use if you develop significant diarrhoea, as this may indicate colitis.
• Do not use with other irritating skincare products (alcohol-based, abrasive, or drying).
• Women of child-bearing potential must use effective contraception during treatment and for 1 month after stopping.

Application

• Apply once daily at bedtime.
• Use a pea-sized amount for the whole face.
• Cleanse gently before application and pat dry.

Method

Dab small amounts onto the forehead, nose, chin, and cheeks, then spread evenly. Do not use more than recommended — this will not improve results and may cause irritation.

Duration

• Improvement usually begins within several weeks.
• Full effect may take up to 12 weeks.
• If symptoms persist beyond 12 weeks, treatment should be reassessed.

Always follow the patient information leaflet and your pharmacy label.

The following frequencies are taken from the patient information leaflet. For a full list see the PIL.

Uncommon (up to 1 in 100)

• Dry skin, redness, itching
• Increased oiliness
• Photosensitivity
• Application-site burning or irritation

Rare (up to 1 in 1,000)

• Hypersensitivity
• Headache
• Eye irritation
• Gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, diarrhoea)
• Skin discolouration or loss of pigmentation

According to the summary of product characteristics (SmPC):

• Significant reductions in inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions can occur over 8–12 weeks.
• The combination is more effective than clindamycin or tretinoin alone.
• Maximum benefit is typically seen by week 12.

Typical timelines:

• Early improvement: 2–4 weeks
• Noticeable reduction in acne: 6–8 weeks
• Maximum effect: 12 weeks

Treclin is available in 30 g aluminium tubes. Shelf life after opening is 3 months. Store below 25°C and do not freeze.

What we supply and the price you pay depend on the product line your prescriber selects — see the pricing sections on this page.

Treclin contains topical clindamycin. Used for an appropriate length of course under supervision, it can improve acne while keeping wider resistance risks in mind; unnecessary or very prolonged antibiotic exposure still contributes to antimicrobial resistance.

Our clinicians prescribe when there is a clear clinical benefit, review progress, and combine treatment with suitable skincare advice where helpful.

Read more in our antibiotic stewardship guide.