Generic Benzoyl

Chemical name: BENZOYL PEROXIDE

Common uses

This medicine is used to treat acne. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor. Your doctor may have special instructions on the proper use of benzoyl peroxide for your medical condition.

Before Using

If you are using this medicine without a prescription, carefully read and follow any precautions on the label. For benzoyl peroxide, the following should be considered:

Allergies: Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to benzoyl peroxide. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as preservatives or dyes.

Pregnancy: Studies on effects in pregnancy have not been done in either humans or animals. However, benzoyl peroxide may be absorbed through the skin.

Breast-feeding: Benzoyl peroxide may be absorbed through the mother's skin. It is not known whether it passes into the breast milk. However, this medicine has not been reported to cause problems in nursing babies.

Children: For children up to 12 years of age: Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of benzoyl peroxide with use in other age groups. For children 12 years of age and older: Although there is no specific information comparing use of benzoyl peroxide in children with use in other age groups, this medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in children 12 years of age and older than it does in adults.

Older adults: Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults. Although there is no specific information comparing use of benzoyl peroxide in the elderly with use in other age groups, this medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.

Directions

It is very important that you use this medicine only as directed. Do not use more of it and do not use it more often than recommended on the label, unless otherwise directed by your doctor. To do so may cause irritation of the skin.

Do not use this medicine in or around the eyes or lips, or inside the nose, or on sensitive areas of the neck. Spread the medicine away from these areas when applying. If the medicine gets on these areas, wash with water at once.

Do not apply this medicine to windburned or sunburned skin or on open wounds, unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

If you miss a dose of this medicine, apply or use it as soon as possible. Then go back to your regular dosing schedule.

To store this medicine: Keep out of the reach of children. Store away from heat and direct light. Keep the cream, gel, or liquid form of this medicine from freezing. Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.

Cautions

During the first 3 weeks you are using benzoyl peroxide, your skin may become irritated. Also, your acne may seem to get worse before it gets better. If your skin problem has not improved within 4 to 6 weeks, check with your health care professional.

You should not wash the areas of the skin treated with benzoyl peroxide for at least 1 hour after application.

Avoid using any other topical medicine on the same area within 1 hour before or after using benzoyl peroxide. Otherwise, benzoyl peroxide may not work properly.

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, it is especially important to avoid using the following skin products on the same area as benzoyl peroxide:

• Any other topical acne product or skin product containing a peeling agent (such as resorcinol, salicylic acid, sulfur, or tretinoin);
• Hair products that are irritating, such as permanents or hair removal products;
• Skin products that cause sensitivity to the sun, such as those containing lime or spices;
• Skin products containing a large amount of alcohol, such as astringents, shaving creams, or after-shave lotions; or
• Skin products that are too drying or abrasive, such as some cosmetics, soaps, or skin cleansers.

Using these products along with benzoyl peroxide may cause mild to severe irritation of the skin. Although skin irritation can occur, some doctors sometimes allow benzoyl peroxide to be used with tretinoin to treat acne. Usually tretinoin is applied at night so that it doesn't cause a problem with any other topical products that you might use during the day. Check with your doctor before using any other topical medicines with benzoyl peroxide.

Possible side effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur: Painful irritation of skin, including burning, blistering, crusting, itching, severe redness, or swelling; skin rash. Symptoms of overdose:Burning, itching, scaling, redness, or swelling of skin (severe).

Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine.

Additional Information

Once a medicine has been approved for marketing for a certain use, experience may show that it is also useful for other medical problems. Although these uses are not included in product labeling, benzoyl peroxide is used in certain patients with the following medical conditions: Decubital ulcer (bed sores), Stasis ulcer (a certain type of ulcer).

Drug interactions

Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with this medicine. Inform your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking.