Buy Duac Online
Book a quick face-to-face video consultation with a certified prescribing pharmacist, nurse, or doctor. If approved, your Duac will be prescribed* and delivered straight to your door with free next-day delivery†. No hidden fees. No delays. Just expert care.
* Includes Free Private Prescription & Consultation.
† Applies to UK only.
Other Related Treatments
MEDICAL INFORMATION
Duac Key Facts
Other Related Names or Treatments
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.
NowPatient 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?
You can buy Duac safely and securely from NowPatient. You can start a consultation today for free and if you qualify for treatment, you only pay for the cost of the medication. Delivery is made to your home or office from our registered pharmacy.
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 NowPatient.
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 on 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.
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FAQs
Answers to Popular Questions About Duac
What is Duac gel?
Duac is a prescription-only topical gel used to treat mild to moderate acne vulgaris. It contains two active ingredients: clindamycin 1% (an antibiotic) and benzoyl peroxide 5% (an antibacterial and keratolytic agent). Duac Once Daily Gel is applied directly to acne-affected skin and works by killing acne-causing bacteria while also helping to unblock pores. It is manufactured by GSK (now Viatris/Mylan in some markets) and is widely prescribed in the UK as part of acne management.
How does Duac work on acne?
Duac works through two complementary mechanisms. Clindamycin is a lincosamide antibiotic that inhibits bacterial protein synthesis, killing Cutibacterium acnes (the bacteria primarily responsible for inflammatory acne). Benzoyl peroxide is an oxidising agent that kills bacteria through the release of free oxygen radicals — importantly, bacteria cannot develop resistance to benzoyl peroxide. It also has a mild keratolytic (pore-unblocking) effect. The combination of these two ingredients is more effective than either alone, and the benzoyl peroxide helps prevent antibiotic resistance to clindamycin.
Is Duac available on the NHS?
Yes, Duac Once Daily Gel is available on NHS prescription from your GP, dermatologist, or through online prescribing services such as NowPatient. It is a commonly prescribed topical acne treatment in UK general practice and is included in NICE acne management pathways. Your prescriber will assess the severity and type of your acne to determine whether Duac is the most appropriate treatment for you.
How do I apply Duac gel?
Apply a thin layer of Duac Once Daily Gel to the entire affected area once daily in the evening, after washing and drying the skin with a gentle cleanser. Do not apply Duac only to individual spots — it should be applied to the whole acne-prone area (e.g., the entire face). Avoid contact with the eyes, mouth, and mucous membranes. Use a pea-sized amount for the face. Wash your hands thoroughly after application. Allow the gel to dry before applying moisturiser or going to bed.
How long does it take for Duac to work?
Most people begin to see improvement in their acne within 2–4 weeks of starting Duac, although full results may take 8–12 weeks. Initial mild dryness, redness, or peeling is common and usually settles as the skin adjusts. Do not stop using Duac if you do not see results in the first week or two. If there is no improvement after 12 weeks, consult your prescriber about alternative or additional treatments. Consistency with daily application is key to getting the best results.
How long should I use Duac for?
Duac should typically be used for a maximum of 12 weeks per course to minimise the risk of antibiotic resistance. After 12 weeks, your prescriber should review your treatment. If your acne has improved, you may switch to a maintenance treatment such as a topical retinoid or benzoyl peroxide alone. If acne persists, your prescriber may consider alternative treatments. Duac can be used for repeated courses if needed, but continuous long-term use is not recommended.
What are the common side effects of Duac?
Common side effects of Duac include skin dryness, peeling (desquamation), redness (erythema), and a burning or stinging sensation at the application site. These are particularly common in the first 2–4 weeks and usually improve as the skin adapts. Using a non-comedogenic (oil-free) moisturiser can help manage dryness and peeling. If irritation is severe, reduce application to every other day until the skin adjusts, then gradually increase to daily use.
Can Duac bleach my clothes and bedding?
Yes, benzoyl peroxide (one of the active ingredients in Duac) is a powerful bleaching agent and will bleach or discolour coloured fabrics, towels, bedding, and hair. Apply Duac in the evening and allow it to dry completely before contact with fabrics. Use white towels and pillowcases, or ones you do not mind being bleached. Avoid getting Duac on clothing. This bleaching effect occurs with all benzoyl peroxide-containing products and cannot be prevented.
Can I use Duac with other acne treatments?
Duac can be used alongside certain other acne treatments as part of a combination approach. It is commonly used with a topical retinoid (such as tretinoin, adapalene, or Differin) applied at a different time of day — for example, retinoid in the morning and Duac in the evening, or vice versa. Do not apply Duac at the same time as other topical preparations on the same skin area. Avoid using other topical antibiotics (e.g., erythromycin gel) concurrently to reduce the risk of antibiotic resistance.
Does Duac need to be kept in the fridge?
Yes, Duac Once Daily Gel should be stored in a refrigerator (2–8°C) before first opening. Once opened, it can be kept at room temperature (up to 25°C) for up to 2 months. Do not use Duac after the expiry date on the tube. The gel should be white to slightly yellow — do not use it if the colour has changed significantly. Keep the tube tightly closed and out of reach of children.
How can I get a prescription for Duac?
You can get a Duac prescription from your GP, a dermatologist, or through an online prescribing service like NowPatient. Your prescriber will assess your acne and determine whether Duac is appropriate. NowPatient offers a convenient online consultation with a qualified UK prescriber, with home delivery of your medication. If you have tried over-the-counter acne treatments without success, Duac may be a suitable next step in your acne management.
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Stefano Mirabello
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