BENZOYLPEROXIDE (Topical)

Some commonly used brand names are:

In the U.S.?

• Acne-Aid Vanishing Cream
• Acne-Aid Aqua Gel
• Ambi 10 Acne Medication
• Benoxyl 5 Lotion
• Benoxyl 10 Lotion
• Benzac AC 21/2 Gel
• Benzac AC 5 Gel
• Benzac AC 10 Gel
• Benzac AC Wash 21/2
• Benzac AC Wash 5
• Benzac AC Wash 10
• Benzac 5 Gel
• Benzac 10 Gel
• Benzac W 21/2 Gel
• Benzac W 5 Gel
• Benzac W 10 Gel
• Benzac W Wash 5
• Benzac W Wash 10
• 5 Benzagel
• 10 Benzagel
• BenzaShave 5 Cream
• BenzaShave 10 Cream
• Brevoxyl-4 Gel
• Brevoxyl-8 Gel
• Brevoxyl-4 Cleansing Lotion
• Brevoxyl-8 Cleansing Lotion
• Clean & Clear Persagel 5
• Clean & Clear Persagel 10
• Clearasil Maximum Strength Medicated Anti-Acne 10 Tinted Cream
• Clearasil Maximum Strength Medicated Anti-Acne 10 Vanishing Cream
• Clearasil Maximum Strength Medicated Anti-Acne 10 Vanishing Lotion
• Clear By Design 2.5 Gel
• Clearplex 5
• Clearplex 10
• Cuticura Acne 5 Cream
• Del-Aqua-5 Gel
• Del-Aqua-10 Gel
• Desquam-E 2.5 Gel
• Desquam-E 5 Gel
• Desquam-E 10 Gel
• Desquam-X 10 Bar
• Desquam-X 2.5 Gel
• Desquam-X 5 Gel
• Desquam-X 10 Gel
• Desquam-X 5 Wash
• Desquam-X 10 Wash
• Exact 5 Tinted Cream
• Exact 5 Vanishing Cream
• Fostex 10 Bar
• Fostex 10 Cream
• Fostex 5 Gel
• Fostex 10 BPO Gel
• Fostex 10 Wash
• Loroxide 5.5 Lotion
• Neutrogena Acne Mask 5
• Noxzema Clear-ups Maximum Strength 10 Lotion
• Noxzema Clear-ups On-The-Spot 10 Lotion
• Oxy Balance Deep Action Night Formula Lotion
• Oxy 10 Balance Emergency Spot Treatment Cover-Up Formula Gel
• Oxy 10 Balance Emergency Spot Treatment Invisible Formula Gel
• Oxy Balance Emergency Spot Treatment Invisible Formula Gel
• Oxy 10 Balance Maximum Medicated Face Wash
• PanOxyl AQ 21/2 Gel
• PanOxyl AQ 5 Gel
• PanOxyl AQ 10 Gel
• PanOxyl 5 Bar
• PanOxyl 10 Bar
• PanOxyl 5 Gel
• PanOxyl 10 Gel
• Student's Choice Acne Medication
• Triaz
• Triaz Cleanser

In Canada?

• Acetoxyl 2.5 Gel
• Acetoxyl 5 Gel
• Acetoxyl 10 Gel
• Acetoxyl 20 Gel
• Acnomel B.P. 5 Lotion
• Benoxyl 5 Lotion
• Benoxyl 10 Lotion
• Benoxyl 20 Lotion
• Benzac AC 5 Gel
• Benzac AC 10 Gel
• Benzac W 5 Gel
• Benzac W 10 Gel
• Benzac W Wash 5
• Benzac W Wash 10
• 2.5 Benzagel Acne Gel
• 5 Benzagel Acne Gel
• 10 Benzagel Acne Gel
• 2.5 Benzagel Acne Lotion
• 5 Benzagel Acne Lotion
• 5 Benzagel Acne Wash
• 5 Benzagel Liquid Acne Soap
• Clearasil BP Plus 5 Lotion
• Clearasil BP Plus Skin Tone Cream
• Dermacne
• Dermoxyl Aqua 5 Gel
• Dermoxyl 5 Gel
• Dermoxyl 10 Gel
• Dermoxyl 20 Gel
• Desquam-X 5 Gel
• Desquam-X 10 Gel
• Desquam-X 5 Wash
• Desquam-X 10 Wash
• H ₂Oxyl 2.5 Gel
• H ₂Oxyl 5 Gel
• H ₂Oxyl 10 Gel
• H ₂Oxyl 20 Gel
• Loroxide 5 Lotion
• Oxyderm 5 Lotion
• Oxyderm 10 Lotion
• Oxyderm 20 Lotion
• Oxy 5 Regular Strength Cover-Up Cream
• Oxy 5 Regular Strength Vanishing Lotion
• Oxy 5 Sensitive Skin Vanishing Lotion
• PanOxyl Aquagel 2.5
• PanOxyl Aquagel 5
• PanOxyl Aquagel 10
• PanOxyl Aquagel 20
• PanOxyl 5 Bar
• PanOxyl 10 Bar
• PanOxyl 5 Gel
• PanOxyl 10 Gel
• PanOxyl 15 Gel
• PanOxyl 20 Gel
• PanOxyl 5 Wash
• PanOxyl 10 Wash
• Solugel 4
• Solugel 8
• Xerac BP 5

Generic name product may be available in the U.S.

Category

• Antiacne agent, topical
• Keratolytic, topical

Description

Benzoyl peroxide (BEN-zoe-illper-OX-ide) is used to treat acne.

It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Some of these preparations are available only with your doctor's prescription.Others are available without a prescription; however, your doctor may havespecial instructions on the proper use of benzoyl peroxide for your medicalcondition.

Benzoyl peroxide is available in the following dosage forms:

Topical
• Cleansing bar (U.S. and Canada)
• Cream (U.S. and Canada)
• Gel (U.S. and Canada)
• Lotion (U.S. and Canada)
• Cleansing lotion (U.S. and Canada)
• Facial mask (U.S.)
• Stick

Before Using This Medicine

If you are using this medicinewithout 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 orallergic reaction to benzoyl peroxide. Also tell your health care professionalif you are allergic to any other substances, such as preservatives or dyes.

Pregnancy?Studies on effects in pregnancy have not been donein either humans or animals. However, benzoyl peroxide may be absorbed throughthe skin.

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

Children?For children up to 12 years of age: Studies on thismedicine have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific informationcomparing use of benzoyl peroxide with use in other age groups. For children12 years of age and older: Although there is no specific information comparinguse of benzoyl peroxide in children with use in other age groups, this medicineis not expected to cause different side effects or problems in children 12years of age and older than it does in adults.

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

Other medicines?Although certain medicines should not be usedtogether at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used togethereven if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want tochange the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health careprofessional if you are using any other topical prescription or nonprescription(over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine that is to be applied to the same area ofthe skin.

Other medical problems?The presence of other medicalproblems may affect the use of benzoyl peroxide. Make sure you tell your doctorif you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Dermatitis, seborrheic or
• Eczema or
• Red or raw skin, including sunburned skin?Irritation will occurif benzoyl peroxide is used with these conditions

Proper Use of This Medicine

It is very important that you use this medicine only as directed. Donot 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 ofthe 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 medicineaway 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 sunburnedskin or on open wounds, unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

This medicine usually comes with patient directions. Read them carefullybefore using the medicine.

To use the cream, gel, lotion, or stick formof benzoyl peroxide:

• Before applying, wash the affected area with nonmedicated soap andwater or with a mild cleanser and then gently pat dry with a towel.
• Apply enough medicine to cover the affected areas, and rub in gently.

To use the shave cream form of benzoyl peroxide:

• Wet the area to be shaved.
• Apply a small amount of the shave cream and gently rub over entirearea.
• Shave.
• Rinse the area and pat dry.
• After-shave lotions or other drying face products should not be usedwithout checking with your doctor first.

To use the cleansing bar, cleansing lotion, or soapform of benzoyl peroxide:

• Use to wash the affected areas as directed.

To use the facial mask form of benzoyl peroxide:

• Before applying, wash the affected area with a nonmedicated cleanser.Then rinse and pat dry.
• Using a circular motion, apply a thin layer of the mask evenly overthe affected area.
• Allow the mask to dry for 15 to 25 minutes.
• Then rinse thoroughly with warm water and pat dry.

After applying the medicine, wash your hands to remove any medicine thatmight remain on them.

Dosing?The dose of benzoyl peroxide will be differentfor different patients. Follow your doctor's orders orthe directions on the label. The following information includes onlythe average doses of benzoyl peroxide. If your dose isdifferent, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

• For acne:
  • For cleansing bar dosage form:
    • Adults and children 12 years of age and over?Use two or threetimes a day, or as directed by your doctor.
    • Children up to 12 years of age?Use and dose must be determinedby your doctor.
  • For cleansing lotion, cream, or gel dosage forms:
    • Adults and children 12 years of age and over?Use on the affectedarea(s) of the skin one or two times a day.
    • Children up to 12 years of age?Use and dose must be determinedby your doctor.
  • For lotion dosage form:
    • Adults and children 12 years of age and over?Use on the affectedarea(s) of the skin one to four times a day.
    • Children up to 12 years of age?Use and dose must be determinedby your doctor.
  • For facial mask dosage form:
    • Adults and children 12 years of age and over?Use one time aweek or as directed by your doctor.
    • Children up to 12 years of age?Use and dose must be determinedby your doctor.
  • For stick dosage form:
    • Adults and children 12 years of age and over?Use on the affectedarea(s) of the skin one to three times a day.
    • Children up to 12 years of age?Use and dose must be determinedby your doctor.

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

Storage?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 surethat any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.

Precautions While Using This Medicine

Duringthe 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 skinproblem has not improved within 4 to 6 weeks, check with your health careprofessional.

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

Avoid using any other topical medicine on the samearea 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 avoidusing the following skin products on the same area as benzoyl peroxide:

• Any other topical acne product or skin product containing a peelingagent (such as resorcinol, salicylic acid, sulfur, or tretinoin);
• Hair products that are irritating, such as permanents or hair removalproducts;
• Skin products that cause sensitivity to the sun, such as those containinglime 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.

This medicine may bleach hair or colored fabrics.

Check with your doctor at any time your skin becomes too dry or irritated.Your health care professional can help you choose the right skin productsfor you to reduce skin dryness and irritation.

Side Effects of This Medicine

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 mayneed medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following sideeffects occur:

Less common or rare

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 themedicine. However, check with your health care professional if any of thefollowing side effects continue or are bothersome:

Less common

Dryness or peeling of skin (may occur after a few days); feeling of warmth, mild stinging, and redness of skin

Other side effects not listed abovemay also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check withyour health care professional.

Additional Information

Once a medicine has been approvedfor marketing for a certain use, experience may show that it is also usefulfor other medical problems. Although these uses are not included in productlabeling, benzoyl peroxide is used in certain patients with the followingmedical conditions:

• Decubital ulcer (bed sores)
• Stasis ulcer (a certain type of ulcer)

Other than the above information, there is no additional information relatingto proper use, precautions, or side effects for these uses.