Drug Info: B: Benzoyl Peroxide (Topical)

In the U.S.—

In Canada—

• Antiacne agent, topical
• Keratolytic, topical

Benzoyl peroxide (BEN-zoe-ill per-OX-ide) is used to treatacne.

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

Some of these preparations are available only with yourdoctor's prescription. Others are available without aprescription; however, your doctor may have specialinstructions on the proper use of benzoyl peroxide for yourmedical condition.

Benzoyl peroxide is available in the following dosageforms:

• 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

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

Allergies—Tell your doctor if you haveever had any unusual or allergic reaction to benzoylperoxide. Also tell your health care professional if you areallergic to any other substances, such as preservatives ordyes.

Pregnancy—Studies on effects inpregnancy have not been done in either humans or animals.However, benzoyl peroxide may be absorbed through theskin.

Breast-feeding—Benzoyl peroxide may beabsorbed through the mother's skin. It is not known whetherit passes into the breast milk. However, this medicine hasnot been reported to cause problems in nursing babies.

Children—For children up to 12 yearsof age: Studies on this medicine have been done only in adultpatients, and there is no specific information comparing useof benzoyl peroxide with use in other age groups. Forchildren 12 years of age and older: Although there is nospecific information comparing use of benzoyl peroxide inchildren with use in other age groups, this medicine is notexpected to cause different side effects or problems inchildren 12 years of age and older than it does inadults.

Older adults—Many medicines have notbeen studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it maynot be known whether they work exactly the same way they doin younger adults. Although there is no specific informationcomparing use of benzoyl peroxide in the elderly with use inother age groups, this medicine is not expected to causedifferent side effects or problems in older people than itdoes in younger adults.

Other medicines—Although certainmedicines should not be used together at all, in other casestwo different medicines may be used together even if aninteraction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may wantto change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary.Tell your health care professional if you are using any othertopical prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter[OTC]) medicine that is to be applied to the same area of theskin.

• Dermatitis, seborrheic or
• Eczema or
• Red or raw skin, including sunburnedskin—Irritation will occur if benzoyl peroxide is usedwith these conditions

It is very important that you use this medicine only asdirected. Do not use more of it and do not use it moreoften than recommended on the label, unless otherwisedirected by your doctor. To do so may cause irritation of theskin.

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. Ifthe medicine gets on these areas, wash with water atonce.

Do not apply this medicine to windburned or sunburnedskin or on open wounds, unless otherwise directed by yourdoctor.

This medicine usually comes with patient directions. Readthem carefully before using the medicine.

To use the cream, gel, lotion, or stick form of benzoylperoxide:

• Before applying, wash the affected area withnonmedicated soap and water or with a mild cleanser andthen gently pat dry with a towel.
• Apply enough medicine to cover the affected areas, andrub 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 rubover entire area.
• Shave.
• Rinse the area and pat dry.
• After-shave lotions or other drying face productsshould not be used without checking with your doctorfirst.

To use the cleansing bar, cleansing lotion, or soap form ofbenzoyl 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 anonmedicated cleanser. Then rinse and pat dry.
• Using a circular motion, apply a thin layer of the maskevenly over the 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 anymedicine that might remain on them.

Dosing—

The dose of benzoyl peroxide will be different fordifferent patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on thelabel. The following information includes only theaverage doses of benzoyl peroxide. If your dose is different, do not change it unlessyour doctor tells you to do so.

• For acne:
  • For cleansing bar dosage form:
    • Adults and children 12 years of age andover—Use two or three times a day, or as directedby your doctor.
    • Children up to 12 years of age—Use and dosemust be determined by your doctor.
  • For cleansing lotion, cream, or gel dosage forms:
    • Adults and children 12 years of age andover—Use on the affected area(s) of the skin oneor two times a day.
    • Children up to 12 years of age—Use and dosemust be determined by your doctor.
  • For lotion dosage form:
    • Adults and children 12 years of age andover—Use on the affected area(s) of the skin oneto four times a day.
    • Children up to 12 years of age—Use and dosemust be determined by your doctor.
  • For facial mask dosage form:
    • Adults and children 12 years of age andover—Use one time a week or as directed by yourdoctor.
    • Children up to 12 years of age—Use and dosemust be determined by your doctor.
  • For stick dosage form:
    • Adults and children 12 years of age andover—Use on the affected area(s) of the skin oneto three times a day.
    • Children up to 12 years of age—Use and dosemust be determined by your doctor.

Missed dose—

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

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 medicinefrom freezing.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longerneeded. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of thereach of children.

During the first 3 weeks you are using benzoyl peroxide,your skin may become irritated. Also, your acne may seem to getworse before it gets better. If your skin problem has notimproved within 4 to 6 weeks, check with your health careprofessional.

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

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

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

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

This medicine may bleach hair or colored fabrics.

Check with your doctor at any time your skin becomes too dryor irritated. Your health care professional can help you choosethe right skin products for you to reduce skin dryness andirritation.

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

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of thefollowing side effects occur:

• Less common or rare
  • Painful irritation of skin, including burning,blistering, crusting, itching, severe redness, orswelling; skin rash
  
  

• Symptoms of overdose
  • Burning, itching, scaling, redness, or swelling ofskin (severe)
  
  

Other side effects may occur that usually do not needmedical attention. These side effects may go away duringtreatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. 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 fewdays); feeling of warmth, mild stinging, and redness ofskin
  
  

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in somepatients. If you notice any other effects, check with yourhealth care professional.

Once a medicine has been approved for marketing for acertain use, experience may show that it is also useful forother medical problems. Although these uses are not includedin product labeling, benzoyl peroxide is used in certainpatients with the following medical conditions:

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

Other than the above information, there is no additionalinformation relating to proper use, precautions, or sideeffects for these uses.