Benzoyl peroxide

What is Benzoyl peroxide?

• Benzoyl peroxide is a white crystalline peroxide used to treat mild to moderate acne.

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What are the uses of this medicine?

• Benzoyl peroxide used for the treatment of acne.

How does this medicine work?

• Benzoyl peroxide is sebostatic, comedolytic, and inhibits growth of Cutibacterium acnes, the main bacterium associated with acne.
• The free-radical reaction of benzoyl peroxide can break down the keratin, therefore unblocking the drainage of sebum (comedolytic).
• It can cause nonspecific peroxidation of C. acnes, making it bactericidal, and it was thought to decrease sebum production, but disagreement exists within the literature on this.
• Some evidence suggests that benzoyl peroxide has an anti-inflammatory effect as well.
• In micromolar concentrations it prevents neutrophils from releasing reactive oxygen species, part of the inflammatory response in acne.

Who Should Not Use this medicine ?

This medicine cannot be used in patients who:

• Have sensitive skin.
• Are sensitive to benzoyl peroxide.

What drug interactions can this medicine cause?

• Tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take.

Is this medicine FDA approved?

• It was officially approved for the treatment of acne in the US in 1960.

How should this medicine be used?

Recommended dosage:

• Cover the entire affected area with a thin layer one to three times daily.
• Because excessive drying of the skin may occur, start with one application daily, then gradually increase to two to three times daily if needed or as directed by a doctor.
• If bothersome dryness or peeling occurs, reduce application to once a day or every other day.
• If going outside, apply sunscreen after using this product.
• If irritation or sensitivity develops, stop use of both products and ask a doctor.

Administration:

• Benzoyl peroxide comes in cleansing liquid or bar, lotion, cream, and gel for use on the skin.
• Benzoyl peroxide usually is used one or two times daily.
• Start with once daily to see how your skin reacts to this medication.
• Apply a small amount of the benzoyl peroxide product to one or two small areas you want to treat for 3 days when you begin to use this medication for the first time.
• The cleansing liquid and bar are used to wash the affected area as directed.
• To use the lotion, cream, or gel, first wash the affected skin areas and gently pat dry with a towel. Then apply a small amount of benzoyl Peroxide, rub it in gently.
• It may take 4 to 6 weeks to see the effects of this medication. If your acne does not improve after this time, call your doctor.
• Do not allow medication to get into your eyes, mouth, and nose.
• Apply the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not apply a double dose to make up for a missed one.

What are the dosage forms and brand names of this medicine?

This medicine is available in fallowing doasage form:

• As cleansing liquid or bar, lotion, cream, and gel

This medicine is available in fallowing brand namesː

• Acne-Clear
• Acnigel
• Ben-Aqua
• Benzac
• Benzagel
• Benzashave
• BenzEFoam
• Benziq
• Binora
• Brevoxyl
• Clear By Design
• Clearasil
• Clearplex
• Clearskin
• Clinac BPO
• Del-Aqua
• Desquam
• Ethexderm BPW
• Fostex
• Inova
• Lavoclen
• Loroxide
• NeoBenz
• Neutrogena
• Oscion
• Oxy 10
• Pacnex
• PanOxyl
• Peroderm
• Peroxin A
• Persa-Gel
• Seba-Gel
• Soluclenz
• Theroxide
• Triaz
• Vanoxide
• Zaclir
• Zeroxin
• ZoDerm

What side effects can this medication cause?

The most common side effects of this medicine include:

• dryness or peeling of skin
• feeling of warmth
• tingling
• slight stinging

Benzoyl peroxide may cause serious side effects may include:

• burning, blistering, redness, or swelling of the area of the treated area
• rash

What special precautions should I follow?

• Skin irritation and dryness is more likely to occur if you use another topical acne medication at the same time. If this occurs only use one topical acne medication at a time
• Avoid unnecessary sun exposure and use a sunscreen.
• Avoid contact with the eyes, lips, and mouth.
• Avoid contact with hair and dyed fabrics which may be bleached by this product.
• Skin irritation may occur characterized by redness, burning, itching, peeling, or possibly swelling.
• Irritation may be reduced by using the product less frequently or in a lower concentration.

What to do in case of emergency/overdose?

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline of your country. In the United States, call 1-800-222-1222.

• Overdose related information is also available online at poisonhelp.org/help.
• In the event that the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services. In the United States, call 911.

Can this medicine be used in pregnancy?

• If you become pregnant while using benzoyl peroxide, call your doctor.

Can this medicine be used in children?

• Do not use benzoyl peroxide on children less than 12 years of age without talking to a doctor.

What are the active and inactive ingredients in this medicine?

Active ingredient:

• BENZOYL PEROXIDE

Inactive ingredients:

• ALLANTOIN
• ALOE VERA LEAF
• BENZYL ALCOHOL
• CARBOMER INTERPOLYMER TYPE A
• EDETATE DISODIUM
• DISODIUM LAURETH SULFOSUCCINATE
• GLYCERIN
• PANTHENOL
• POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL 400
• PPG-14 PALMETH-60 HEXYL DICARBAMATE
• HYALURONATE SODIUM
• TROLAMINE
• WATER

Who manufactures and distributes this medicine?

• Packager: Axia Medical Solutions, LLC

What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?

• Store at controlled room temperature 15-30°C (59-86°F).

• Dailymed label info on Benzoyl peroxide
• FDA Benzoyl peroxide

Benzoyl peroxide Resources
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