Duac Gel

What is Duac?

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 used to treat?

Duac Gel is an effective treatment for mild to moderate cases of acne. 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.

If you cannot take oral treatments, Duac Gel makes an excellent and effective alternative.

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

Duac can be used by adults and children over the age of 12.

How does Duac work?

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.

Duac Gel and 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.

Duac Dose

You should apply Duac with your fingertips.

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.

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.

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

This treatment is not suitable for children who are under the age of 12.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are due to have surgery. Duac can affect certain general anaesthetics.

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, tell your doctor before using this treatment. Do not apply Duac to your breasts if you are currently breastfeeding.

Can you buy Duac over the counter?

No, you must have a prescription to buy Duac.

Can you buy Duac 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.