IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION for VELTIN Gel
Do not use VELTIN Gel if you have Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, or have had inflammation of the colon (colitis) with past antibiotic use. Talk to your doctor if you are not sure if you have one of these conditions. SAFETY INFORMATION CONTINUED BELOW
Learn About Acne
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TEXT SIZE How Acne Pops Up
There’s not an exact reason why acne occurs, but research indicates that there are 4 contributing factors:
- Excess oil production (no topical product, including
VELTIN Gel, can reduce excess oil production) - Dead skin cells that clog the pores
- Bacteria
- Inflammation
When your body produces excess amounts of oil, called sebum, pores can become clogged. This oil-filled pore can support the growth of bacteria called P. acnes, which can cause inflammation. Dead skin cells can also cause clogging of the pores.
Types of Acne
There are 2 different types of acne: noninflammatory acne and inflammatory acne.
Noninflammatory
- Blackheads—occur above the skin when open pores fill with excess oil and dead skin cells
- Whiteheads—occur beneath the skin when pores get clogged by oil and skin cells
Inflammatory (pimples)
- Papules—small red bumps
- Pustules—pus-filled, blister-like bumps
- Nodules—numerous red, swollen bumps
Everyone’s acne is different. Some cases are mild, while others are not. It’s always best to talk to a primary care doctor or a doctor who specializes in skin care (dermatologist) about your symptoms so you can get a treatment that’s right for you.
Who Gets Acne
Take a look around. It’s guaranteed that you’re not the only one with acne. That’s because each year, about 85% of U.S. teenagers will have acne. Most people who have acne are teenagers and young adults. However, acne is not limited to any age group. In fact, adults can develop acne even if they never had it as a teen.
Where Acne Occurs
Acne is most common on the face, but can also occur on the upper neck, upper back, chest, and shoulders.
How Acne Is Treated
Depending on your skin type, age, and gender, a doctor can provide skin-care advice and information on over-the-counter or prescription treatment options, like VELTIN Gel. Talk to your parents about your acne and ask them if they think you need an appointment with a doctor or dermatologist.
VELTIN Gel is prescription medicine used on the skin to treat acne in people 12 years and older.
It is not known if VELTIN Gel is safe or effective in children under 12 years of age.
IMPORTANT: VELTIN Gel is for use only on your skin. Do not get VELTIN Gel in your mouth, eyes, or vagina.
Important Safety Information for VELTIN Gel
Do not use VELTIN Gel if you have Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, or have had inflammation of the colon (colitis) with past antibiotic use. Talk to your doctor if you are not sure if you have one of these conditions.
Clindamycin, one of the ingredients in VELTIN Gel, can cause severe colitis that may lead to death. Topical clindamycin may be absorbed through the skin into the bloodstream. Diarrhea, bloody diarrhea, and colitis have been reported with the use of topical clindamycin. Stop using VELTIN Gel and call your doctor if you develop severe watery diarrhea or bloody diarrhea.
While using VELTIN Gel, limit your time in the sun and avoid tanning beds and sunlamps. VELTIN Gel may cause your skin to become sunburned more easily. If you have a sunburn, do not use VELTIN Gel until it is healed. Use sunscreen and protective clothing, such as a hat. Also avoid other weather extremes such as wind and cold temperatures because these may be irritating to your skin.
Common side effects of VELTIN Gel include skin irritation (for example dryness, peeling, burning, or itching), which usually decreases gradually after 2 weeks.
Tell your doctor if you have any allergies or any other medical conditions.
Before using VELTIN Gel, tell your doctor if you plan to have surgery with general anesthesia. One of the medicines in VELTIN Gel can affect how certain anesthesia medicines work.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, as it is not known if VELTIN Gel may harm your unborn baby.
It is not known if VELTIN Gel passes into breast milk. Topical clindamycin may be absorbed through the skin into the bloodstream. Clindamycin may pass into the breast milk when taken by mouth or by injection. You and your doctor should decide if you will use VELTIN Gel or breast-feed. You should not do both.
VELTIN Gel should not be used with products that contain erythromycin. Tell your doctor if you take medicine that contains erythromycin.
For more information about VELTIN Gel, please see the full Prescribing Information.