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| Other drug names: | A-Am An-Az B C-Ch Ci-Cz D-Dh Di-Dz E F G H I-J K-L M-Mh Mi-Mz N-Nh Ni-Nz O P-Pl Pm-Pz Q-R S-Sn So-Sz T-To Tp-Tz U-V W-Z 0-9 |
| Contents of this page: | |
Some commonly used brand names are:
In the U.S.--
In Canada--
Generic name product may be available in the U.S.
Benzoyl peroxide (BEN-zoe-ill per-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 have special instructions on the proper use of benzoyl peroxide for your medical condition.
Benzoyl peroxide is available in the following dosage forms:
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.
Other medicines--Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care professional if you are using any other topical prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine that is to be applied to the same area of the skin.
Other medical problems--The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of benzoyl peroxide. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
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 .
This medicine usually comes with patient directions. Read them carefully before using the medicine.
To use the cream, gel, lotion, or stick form of benzoyl peroxide:
To use the shave cream form of benzoyl peroxide:
To use the cleansing bar, cleansing lotion, or soap form of benzoyl peroxide:
To use the facial mask form of benzoyl peroxide:
After applying the medicine, wash your hands to remove any medicine that might remain on them.
Dosing--The dose of benzoyl peroxide will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label . The following information includes only the average doses of benzoyl peroxide. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
Missed dose--If you miss a dose of this medicine, apply or use it as soon as possible. Then go back to your regular dosing schedule.
Storage--To store this medicine:
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:
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 products for you to reduce skin dryness and irritation.
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:
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 the medicine. However, check with your health care professional if any of the following 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 above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your health care professional.
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:
Other than the above information, there is no additional information relating to proper use, precautions, or side effects for these uses.
Revised: 07/29/98
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