Veltin Gel (Stiefel), a fixed-dose combination of the antibiotic clindamycin phosphate 1.2% and the retinoid tretinoin 0.025%, has been approved by the FDA for topical treatment of acne vulgaris in patients ≥12 years old. Another product containing the same active ingredients (Ziana) has been on the market since 2006.

The FDA has approved another fixed combination of the antibiotic clindamycin phosphate and the oxidizing agent benzoyl peroxide (Onexton Gel 1.2%/3.75% – Valeant) for topical treatment of acne in patients ≥12 years old. Topical products containing the same drugs have been available for many years. Onexton Gel contains a new strength of benzoyl peroxide.

A 0.75% vaginal gel formulation of metronidazole (MetroGel-Vaginal - Curatek) and a 2% vaginal cream formulation of clindamycin phosphate (Cleocin - Upjohn) were recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for treatment of bacterial vaginosis. Seven days' treatment with oral metronidazole, 500 mg b.i.d., has been the usual treatment for this condition, with oral clindamycin, 300 mg b.i.d., as an alternative (JL Thomason et al, Am J Obstet Gynecol, 165:1210, 1991).

The FDA has approved Cabtreo (Bausch Health), a gel containing the retinoid adapalene, the oxidizing agent benzoyl peroxide, and the antibiotic clindamycin, for treatment of acne vulgaris in patients ≥12 years old. Cabtreo is the first three-drug topical formulation to become available in the US for treatment of acne.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), which was traditionally a nosocomially-acquired organism but now frequently occurs in the absence of healthcare exposure, is the predominant cause of suppurative skin and soft-tissue infections in many parts of the US. Community-associated MRSA usually causes furunculosis, purulent cellulitis, and abscesses, but necrotizing fasciitis, necrotizing pneumonia, and sepsis can also occur.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections, which have been a concern for many years, previously occurred primarily in hospitalized patients and those recently treated with antibiotics. In the past few years, there has been an increasing incidence worldwide of community-associated (CA) MRSA infections in patients without recent antibiotic exposure or contact with the healthcare system.

Most respiratory tract infections are caused by viruses. Bacterial respiratory tract infections are usually treated empirically with antibiotic therapy that targets the most probable causative pathogens. Recommended antibiotic regimens for outpatient treatment of some common respiratory tract infections are listed in Table 1 for adults and Table 2 for children.

Bacterial infections in adults are generally treated empirically, with the antibiotic covering most, but not all, of the potential causative pathogens. For some infections, culture and sensitivity testing can guide treatment, allowing for use of narrower-spectrum antibiotics. The recommended dosages and durations of antibiotic treatment for common respiratory, skin, and urinary tract infections are listed in Tables 1-3. Infectious disease experts now recommend shorter treatment durations for many infections to reduce the development of antimicrobial resistance and minimize adverse...

Acne is common among adolescents and adults. Guidelines for treatment of acne were last published by the American Academy of Dermatology in 2016.

The FDA has approved secnidazole oral granules (Solosec – Symbiomix/Lupin) for single-dose treatment of bacterial vaginosis (BV) in adult women.