DUAC ®
Treatment options
Buy DUAC ® safely, securely and easily in a few simple steps. Start a consultation today to check your eligibility with a prescribing clinician, at no cost to you.
This content is intended for UK audiences only
£NaN
Only £ per Pack
What to do if you missed your DUAC ® dose
The MHRA's reporting program for suspected side effects to medicines, vaccines, e-cigarettes, medical device incidents, defective or falsified (fake) products to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency to ensure safe and effective use.
Learn more about reporting side effectsOther known brand names
Epiduo, Treclin, Differin
About Duac gel
Duac once daily gel is a topical antibiotic commonly prescribed to treat mild or moderate acne. It contains a combination of benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin phosphate as the active ingredients. Duac Gel is an anti-acne treatment also active at visibly reducing blackheads, whiteheads and inflamed spots.
Now Patient offers Duac gel for the treatment of acne only, following an online consultation with a prescribing clinician.
Key facts of Duac gel
- For the treatment of acne
- Duac may take several weeks to improve your symptoms of acne
- Duac gel has some common side effects which include mild burning, dry skin, and itching
- It can be dangerous if you take Duac gel with certain medication. If you’re not sure if it is safe, discuss this with the prescribing clinician
- Duac may bleach hair and fabrics including bed linen, towels, and clothing
- Read the patient information leaflet thoroughly before use
Who is Duac gel not suitable for?
Duac gel may not be suitable for some people. To make sure it’s safe for you, speak to the prescribing clinician before using Duac gel if you:
- Have had an allergic reaction to benzoyl peroxide or clindamycin in the past
- Have regional enteritis, ulcerative colitis, or antibiotic-associated colitis
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding
How and where to get Duac gel?
Duac gel is available from a number of sources. It is available on prescription. It is not available over the counter at a pharmacy.
Now Patient does not allow customers to buy Duac gel directly. Our service is certified, safe and effective, and we only ever treat conditions. If you book a consultation with a prescribing clinician for the treatment of acne, you can discuss if Duac gel is a suitable treatment option for you.
At the end of the consultation, the clinician will decide if a treatment plan is suitable for you. If it is, the clinician will issue you with a prescription which can then be ordered, paid for and delivered directly to your chosen address by Now Patient.
Dosage and strength for Duac gel for acne
Duac is available as a gel when used for acne. It is available in strengths ranging from 3% to 5%.
Information about how to take Duac gel for acne
Before using Duac, apply a very small amount to 1 or 2 small acne areas every day for 3 days. Begin using the full amount of Duac on the 4th day if there is no reaction.
Wash your hands thoroughly before and after using Duac. Also, wash your face with a mild cleanser (not soap) and pat dry. Apply Duac twice daily, in the morning and evening, as a thin film to the affected area.
What happens if you use too much Duac gel?
If you use more than prescribed, it can lead to some unpleasant side effects.
You should talk to your doctor or reach out to one of our prescribing clinicians, if you have used too much Duac gel and you experience any side effects such as bloody or watery diarrhea.
What are the side effects of Duac gel?
Side effects of Duac gel are split into common and serious.
Common side effects include:
- Mild burning
- Dry skin (use an oil-free moisturiser)
- Dryness or peeling of treated area
- Dermatitis
- Skin irritation
- Wear sunscreen and protective clothing when going outdoors to avoid exposure to direct sunlight
Serious side effects include:
- Severe burning, stinging, or peeling of skin
- Stomach cramps or watery or bloody diarrhoea
If you experience any serious side effects, you should contact NHS 111.
If you experience a serious allergic reaction with the signs shown below you should contact emergency services on 999.
- Your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly become swollen
- You’re breathing very fast or struggling to breathe (you may become very wheezy or feel like you’re choking or gasping for air)
- Your throat feels tight or you’re struggling to swallow
- Your skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale (if you have black or brown skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet)
- You suddenly become very confused, drowsy or dizzy
- Someone faints and cannot be woken up
Always report adverse effects to the MHRA yellow card reporting system. You can read more about this here How and where do I report side effects of my medication?
Information about using Duac gel at the same time as other medications or herbal supplements
There is not enough evidence to suggest there are any drug interactions between herbal supplements and Duac gel. In any event, you should let your prescribing clinician know if you are taking any herbal supplements.
Why might Duac gel not work for acne?
Duac once daily gel should be applied to the whole affected area thinly, not just the individual spots. If you are applying too much the gel may not apply properly.
Can Duac gel be used for acne long term?
Do not use Duac gel for more than 12 weeks at one time. Use the gel for as long as recommended by your doctor.
Is there a herbal Duac gel?
No. Herbal Duac gel does not exist. If you have been marketed such a formulation, it may be fake.
Should I avoid any particular food or drink when taking Duac gel?
You can eat and drink normally when using Duac gel.
What lifestyle changes can I make to help me with acne?
You modify your lifestyle in a number of ways, and this may have a positive impact on your acne:
- Reduce stress
- Get good quality sleep
- Exercise
- Good hygiene
- Eat healthy
- Apply sunscreen
Alternatives to Duac gel
Alternative topical acne treatments include Differin, Epiduo, Treclin (clindamycin and tretinoin), Zineryt, Acnecide, and Adapalene, or oral tablets such as erythromycin, oxytetracycline, and lymecycline.
Sources
Medical Disclaimer
NowPatient has taken all reasonable steps to ensure that all material is factually accurate, complete, and current. However, the knowledge and experience of a qualified healthcare professional should always be sought after instead of using the information in this page. Before taking any drug, you should always speak to your doctor or another qualified healthcare provider.
The information provided here about medications is subject to change and is not meant to include all uses, precautions, warnings, directions, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or negative effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a particular medication does not imply that the medication or medication combination is appropriate for all patients or for all possible purposes.
Important Information
What does Duac do for your skin?
What are the cons of DUAC?
What are the side effects of DUAC?
Does Duac help with clogged pores?
What's better epiduo or duac?
Is Duac prescription only?
Does acne come back after Duac?
Why can you not use Duac long term?
Does Duac work for hormonal acne?
Which is better Duac or benzoyl peroxide?
Do you apply Duac to whole face?
Can I use Duac all over my face?
Should Duac be kept in the fridge?
Is Duac a steroid cream?
What can I use instead of Duac gel?
Is Duac better than Acnecide?
Can you use Duac for years?
How much is Duac at pharmacy?
How long does it take Duac to work?
Does Duac make skin worse at first?
What happens if you use Duac for longer than 12 weeks?
Can I put Moisturiser over Duac?
Can you put Duac on broken skin?
What happens if you over use Duac?
How many times can you put Duac Gel on your face?
Do you purge with Duac?
Does Duac fade acne scars?
Can acne come back after DUAC?
What happens if you use duac after 2 months?
Do you wash off Duac once daily gel?
Does DUAC work on cystic acne?
Why does Duac need to be refrigerated?
What is NowPatient
Telehealth and Online Pharmacy
NowPatient is a licensed online pharmacy and doctor service that is available around the world. Our service is FREE and packed with valuable features that can benefit your health such as medication reminders, educational blogs, medically approved symptoms checker, UK NHS online pharmacy, private treatment plans, Rx Advantage card, health conditions information, affordable medications options, genetic testing, home test kits, health risks, pollen meter, air quality monitor, weight loss plans, drug savings programs and lots more!
WHY WE BUILT NOWPATIENT
To improve the lives of everyone by making high-quality care accessible and convenient
We are here to improve lives. Our service gives you access to smart features and resources that can help empower you to take control of your health and improve your health outcomes. All this, in one place, for FREE. We strive to bring a fresh perspective to managing health. NowPatient can be accessed by downloading the App or using your web browser.
Download our app today
Can I trust NowPatient
Meet our medical team
We are a passionate group of clinicians and medical writers covering a broad range of specialities with experience operating in health systems in the United Kingdom & United States. Providing excellent care and advice is at the heart of everything we do. You can read more about our medical team by visiting the medical team page or learn more about how we curate content by visiting our editorial process