Clindamycin/benzoyl peroxide is a topical gel used for the treatment of acne. It is a combination of clindamycin, an antibiotic, and benzoyl peroxide, an antiseptic.Common side effects include peeling, itching, and dryness of the skin where the gel was applied.Clindamycin/benzoyl peroxide was approved for medical use in the United States in December 2000. It is available as a generic medication. Medical uses
The gel is used on the skin to treat light to medium acne vulgaris in people 12 years and older. Efficacy
There is an average 52% decrease in inflammatory acne lesions by week 12.The combination is less effective than benzoyl peroxide/salicylic acid after short-term treatment of two to four weeks, but the two treatments showed similar effectiveness after ten to twelve weeks. Pregnancy and lactation
Studies on whether or not the use of clindamycin/benzoyl peroxide gels is teratogenic or has adverse effects on nursing infants have not been performed. While oral clindamycin passes into breast milk, no such data are available for clindamyin in gel form. Limited data regarding topical clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide have shown no safety problems. Contraindications
The gel is not recommended for those who are allergic to clindamycin, benzoyl peroxide, any components of the formulation, or lincomycin. Individuals previously diagnosed with regional enteritis, ulcerative colitis, or antibiotic-associated colitis are also recommended not to use it. Side effects
Common side effects are peeling, itching, redness, dryness, burning, and dermatitis. Benzoyl peroxide bleaches hair, clothes, towels, bedclothing, and the like.
Björnstad presented his diagnosis and observations at a medical conference in Copenhagen.Björnstad syndrome is diagnosed by observation of twisted hair, known as pili torti, which can be observed as early as birth. To confirm presence of pili torti, the hair shafts of an individual are examined under an electron microscope. Any infants with confirmed pili torti should undergo a series of auditory tests to evaluate potential sensorineural deafness. Finally, a diagnosis of Björnstad syndrome can be confirmed by genetic testing for mutations in the BCS1L gene. Epidemiology
Björnstad syndrome is extremely rare, with less than 50 documented cases worldwide. In 2013, five individuals from a consanguineous Pakistani family were diagnosed with Björnstad syndrome. They each experienced a varying degree of progressive hearing loss as well as hair loss on the scalp. The males with Björnstad syndrome also experienced shorter stature.Given its autosomal recessive inheritance pattern, Björnstad syndrome should theoretically affect males and females in equal numbers. However, more females than males have been diagnosed with Björnstad syndrome in medical literature. See also
GRACILE syndrome
Mitochondrial complex III deficiency

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