Benzoyl Peroxide, Topical

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: acne treatment

Generic and brand names: benzoyl peroxide 10% wash; benzoyl peroxide 5% wash; benzoyl peroxide and sulfur, topical; benzoyl peroxide gel 10%; benzoyl peroxide gel 2.5%; benzoyl peroxide gel 5%; benzoyl peroxide, bars; benzoyl peroxide, creams; benzoyl peroxide, gels; benzoyl peroxide, liquids; benzoyl peroxide, lotions; benzoyl peroxide, masks; benzoyl peroxide, topical; 10-Benzagel; 5-Benzagel; Acne 5 Mask; Acne-10 Lotion; Ambi 10 Cream; Benoxyl 10 Lotion; BenzaShave Medicated Shave Cream 10%; BenzaShave Medicated Shave Cream 5%; Benzac 10 Gel; Benzac 5 Gel; Benzac AC 10% Gel; Benzac AC 2-1/2% Gel; Benzac AC 5% Gel; Benzac AC Wash 10%; Benzac AC Wash 2-1/2%; Benzac AC Wash 5%; Benzac W 10 Gel; Benzac W 2-1/2 Gel; Benzac W 5 Gel; Benzac W Wash 10; Benzac W Wash 5; Benzagel 10; Benzagel 5; Benzox-10 Gel; BlemErase Lotion; Brevoxyl Gel; Clear By Design Gel; Clearasil Maximum Strength Cream; Clearasil Maximum Strength Lotion; Del Aqua-10 Gel; Del Aqua-5 Gel; Dermoxyl Gel; Desquam-E 10 Emollient Gel; Desquam-E 2.5 Emollient Gel; Desquam-E 5 Emollient Gel; Desquam-X 10 Gel; Desquam-X 10 Wash; Desquam-X 2.5 Gel; Desquam-X 5 Gel; Desquam-X 5 Wash; Dryox 10 Gel; Dryox 10S 5 Lotion; Dryox 2.5 Gel; Dryox 20 Gel; Dryox 20S 10 Lotion; Dryox 5 Gel; Dryox Wash 10; Dryox Wash 5; Ethexderm; Exact Cream; Fostex 10% BPO Gel; Fostex 10% Wash; Fostex Bar; Loroxide Lotion 5.5%; Neutrogena Acne Mask; Oscion; Oxy 10 Maximum Formula Gel; Oxy 10 Wash; Oxy 5 Advanced Formula for Sensitive Skin (benzoyl peroxide); Oxy Advanced Formula Sensitive Gel; PanOxyl 10 Acne Gel; PanOxyl 5 Acne Gel; PanOxyl AQ 10 Acne Gel; PanOxyl AQ 2-1/2 Acne Gel; PanOxyl AQ 5 Acne Gel; PanOxyl Bar; Peroxin A 10 Gel; Peroxin A 5 Gel; Persa-Gel 10%; Persa-Gel 5%; Persa-Gel W 10%; Persa-Gel W 5%; Sulfoxyl Regular Lotion; Sulfoxyl Strong Lotion; Vanoxide Lotion; Triaz; Clinac BPO; Triaz Cleanser; Zaclir Lotion; ZoDerm Gel; ZoDerm Redi-Pads

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is used on the skin to treat acne and other skin problems.

What should my healthcare provider know before I use this medicine?

Before using this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have:

• an allergy to any medicine

Females of childbearing age: Talk with your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I use it?

This medicine is for external use only. Use it only as directed by your healthcare provider, or according to the manufacturer's directions. Do not use it more often than directed. Do not put this medicine on skin that is sunburned, bruised, or has open cuts.

Before you apply the medicine, wash your skin with mild soap and warm water. Rinse and pat dry with a soft towel.

Put a thin layer of medicine on the area where you need it. Using too much medicine or using it too often can increase the risk of side effects from absorption into your body. Do not rub it in. Do not bandage or cover the area unless your healthcare provider tells you to. Wash your hands after applying this medicine.

If you have the gel, cream, or lotion, when you first start using this medicine, use the 2.5% or 5% strengths and leave the medicine on your skin for only 15 to 30 minutes. Gradually leave it on for longer periods of time. Once you can tolerate this medicine for 2 hours, you can leave it on overnight.

If you have the facial mask, wash your face and dry well. Put a thin layer of the medicine on your face with fingertips. Let the mask dry for about 25 minutes. Rinse the medicine off with warm water and pat dry with a towel.

If you have the shaving cream, wet the area to be shaved. Gently rub a small amount of the medicine to the area and shave, then rinse off with warm water and pat dry with a towel.

If you have the cleansing lotion, wet the area to be treated. Apply the medicine and work into a lather, then rinse off with warm water and pat dry with a towel.

If your healthcare provider prescribes another medicine to use on your skin, use it at least 1 hour before or after this medicine.

Keep this medicine away from your eyes and mouth. If it gets in your eyes, flush them with water right away.

Do not apply or store this medicine near heat or an open flame.

If you miss an application, use the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time.

What should I watch out for?

Avoid long exposure to the sun or a sunlamp, which can cause more irritation to the skin. The use of some sunscreen products containing PABA may cause a temporary skin discoloration. Protect skin with clothing or sunscreen when outdoors. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist about this.

Talk to your healthcare provider about using cosmetics or other products on your skin while using this medicine.

Most water-based cosmetics may be used with this medicine. Check with your healthcare provider.

This medicine may bleach hair and fabrics.

If you have a dark complexion, report any changes of skin color to your healthcare provider right away.

If the medicine causes severe irritation, contact your healthcare provider. It may take several weeks after you start using this medicine to see complete results. Contact your healthcare provider or pharmacist for advice if you are concerned or if your condition does not improve or gets worse..

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider): Severe irritation or rash that begins after you use the medicine.

Other: Dry skin, peeling skin, stinging, burning, itching, redness, sunburn.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you use this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• products that may irritate the skin such as peeling or abrasive products, waxing or hair removal products, strong or abrasive soaps, products containing alcohol, astringents, products having a strong drying effect, medicated cosmetics, and other acne medicines

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicines in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.