Duac Gel

Duac Gel is an acne gel manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline, and comes in two strengths for daily use: Duac 3% (20mg) and Duac 5% (50mg).

Duac Once Daily Gel belongs to a group of medicines called anti-acne preparations. These medicines aid in the treatment of the symptoms of mild to moderate acne vulgaris. This is said to occur when the skin is affected by papules, pustules, comedones, nodules and cysts resulting from blockage and inflammation of pilosebaceous units.

An excess of sebum can clog your pores and cause oil build up which produces blackheads., Sebum is a waxy, oily substance produced by the skin to protect itself. When these blackheads become infected with bacteria, the blocked pores can develop into acne, which usually occurs on the face. Sometimes it can affect other sensitive areas of the body, such as the upper back or neck. Duac Gel aims to target these affected areas to alleviate blemishes and spots and help prevent any future impurities that might occur.

Acne is most prevalent during adolescence. Duac Gel is indicated for adults and adolescents 12 years and older. It is a viable choice for individuals who prefer topical antibiotics which can be applied on to the skin as opposed to ingesting oral antibiotics.

Duac Once Daily Gel contains two ingredients; an antibiotic and benzoyl peroxide commonly used for treating acne.

Clindamycin, an antibiotic, prevents the bacteria involved in causing acne from reproducing and multiplying. Clindamycin has a bacteriostatic cation against Gram-positive aerobic bacteria and a range of anaerobic bacteria. Although, high concentrations may be slightly bactericidal against sensitive strains.

Benzoyl peroxide works to reduce comedones, which occur from hair follicles blocked with bacteria, like blackheads, or with dead skin cells and oil, such as whiteheads. It can also work to kill the bacteria involved in causing acne.

Unlike medicines with just benzoyl peroxide alone, these active ingredients are used together in Duac gel. Together they help to:

• fight acne-causing bacteria
• treat blackheads, whiteheads, and pimples
• reduce the number of red and inflamed acne pimples.

Clindamycin activity has been clinically demonstrated in comedones of acne patients at levels sufficient to be active against most strains of Propionibacterium acnes. Free fatty acids on the skin surface decreased from approximately 14% to 2% after the application of clindamycin.

Though this medicine is primarily used to treat acne and diminish the bacteria causing acne, some have also found that Duac Once Daily Gel aids in the improvement of acne scar appearance. No matter where the acne surfaces, whether it is your face, upper back, neck or shoulders, Duac Gel is effective in helping to reduce the size of pimples and comedones and ultimately prevent the surfacing of new impurities.

1. Remove any makeup remnant and wash the affected skin area well. Rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry gently.
2. Apply a thin layer of gel on all acne-prone skin areas, not just on the pimples. If the gel is not easily absorbed, you are using too much product.
3. For the face, use the amount of gel that comes out of the tube and reaches from the tip of the finger to the first joint of the finger. ( For the face and back, use two and a half fingertips in total.)
4. If you have very dry skin, or your skin is peeling, use an oil-free cream and use Duac gel less often. You can stop applying the treatment for a short period of time to allow the skin to heal. This medication may not work properly if it is not applied every day.
5. Wash your hands after applying the gel.
6. Once the product has dried, you can use non-greasy makeup if you wish.

Always use Duac Gel exactly as recommended by your prescriber. If in doubt, consult your doctor or pharmacist for further assistance.

It is recommended that Duac gel should be used once a day, preferably in the evening and can take between 2 – 5 weeks before visible effects of Duac Once Daily Gel begin to show. Do not use Duac gel for more than 12 weeks in a row. Your doctor will indicate the duration of treatment.

Like all medicines, Duac One Daily Gel can cause side effects even though not everybody gets them.
If any of the following side effects occur, stop use of Duac Gel and contact your doctor immediately as you may need urgent medical attention:

•signs of an allergic reaction, including swelling of the face (i.e. eyes, lips or tongue), breaking out in hives or a difficulty or inability to breathe which may cause you to collapse.

• prolonged or severe diarrhoea, or abdominal cramps
• severe stinging, peeling, or itching of the skin.

  If you notice any side effects from Duac Once Daily Gel, stop use of the gel for a period of one to two days and then start the treatment again.

SPECIAL NOTE – Because this product contains a peroxide product, it has the potential to stain any fabrics that it comes into contact with. If applying this gel immediately before bed, then it is sometimes a good idea to ensure your bedclothes are sufficiently protected from contact with the gel.