Benzoyl Peroxide

DEA Class; Rx

Common Brand Names; Benzac AC Gel, Desquam-X, Benzac AC Wash, Benzac Acne Eliminating Cleanser, BenzEFoam, BPO Creamy Wash Complete Pack, BPO Foaming Cloth, BPO Gel, Clean and Clear Advantage 3-in-1 Exfoliating Cleanser, Clean and Clear Continuous Control Acne Cleanser, Clean and Clear Gel, Clearasil Vanishing Acne Treatment Cream, Lavoclen-4 Creamy Wash, Lavoclen-8 Creamy Wash, NeoBenz Micro, NeoBenz Micro SD, NeoBenz Micro Wash, Neutrogena Benzoyl Peroxide Lotion, Neutrogena Clear Pore Acne Treatment, Neutrogena On-The-Spot Acne Treatment, Neutrogena Clear Pore Daily Scrub, Pacnex MX, PanOxyl Acne Cleansing Bar, PanOxyl Acne Creamy Wash, PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash, Proactiv, Proactiv Advanced Blemish Treatment, Proactiv Renewing Cleanser, Proactiv Repairing, Riax, Zapzyt Acne Treatment Gel, Epsolay

•  Acne Agents, Topical

Topical oxidizing agent with bactericidal, keratolytic, and sebostatic effects
Approved as a 5% topical cream (Epsolay) for acne rosacea; available in multiple topical formulations for acne vulgaris; has been used off-label for decubitus ulcers
Improves both inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne lesions

Indicated for the treatment and prevention of mild or moderate acne vulgaris caused by Propionibacterium acnes.

Hypersensitivity

• Contact dermatitis
• Erythema
• Peeling
• Skin dryness

For external use only; avoid contact with the eyes, lips, mucous membranes, and mouth

Skin irritation may occur, characterized by redness, burning, itching, peeling, or possibly swelling; decrease frequency of use or use lower concentration product

Concomitant administration with sulfone products (sulfacetamide or dapsone) may result in temporary discoloration (orange/yellow) of facial hair and skin; may avoid by applying products different time and washing off benzoyl peroxide before applying other products

Stop use if irritation becomes severe

Some dosage forms contain benzyl alcohol, which when used in large amounts, may cause fatal gasping syndrome toxicity in neonates

Coadministration with other topical acne medications may increase skin irritation and dryness

Avoid excessive sun exposure and use sunscreen

Avoid contact with hair and dyed fabrics (eg, pillowcases, towels), which may be bleached by this product

Pregnancy Category: C

Lactation: excretion in milk unknown; use with caution

Benzoyl peroxide

topical gel

• 2.5% (Proactive Repairing)
• 4% (BPO Gel)
• 5% (Benzac AC Gel, Clean and Clear Gel)
• 8% (BPO Gel)
• 10% (Benzac AC Gel, Zapzyt Acne Treatment Gel)

topical lotion

• 2.5% (Proactive Repairing)
• 3.5% (Neutrogena Benzoyl Peroxide Lotion)
• 7% (Proactiv)

bar

• 10% (PanOxyl Acne Cleansing Bar)

topical cream

• 2.5% (Neutrogena On-The-Spot Acne Treatment, Proactiv)
• 5% (Epsolay [Rx])
• 5.5% (NeoBenz Micro, NeoBenz Micro SD)
• 6% (Proactiv Advanced Blemish Treatment)
• 7% (Proactiv)
• 10% (Clearasil Vanishing Acne Treatment Cream, Neutrogena Clear Pore Acne Treatment)

topical foam

• 5.3% (BenzEFoam)

• 5.5% (Riax)
• 9.5% (Riax)

topical wash

• 2.5% (Proactiv Renewing Cleanser)
• 3% (BPO Foaming Cloth)
• 3.7% (Neutrogena Clear Pore Daily Scrub)
• 4% (PanOxyl Acne Creamy Wash, Lavoclen-4 Cream Wash)
• 4.25% (Pacnex MX)
• 5% (Benzac AC Wash, Clean and Clear Advantage 3-in-1 Exfoliating Cleanser)
• 6% (BPO Foaming Cloth)
• 7% (NeoBenz Micro Wash)
• 8% (Lavoclen-8 Creamy Wash)
• 9% (BPO Foaming Cloth)
• 10% (PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash, Clean and Clear Continuous Control Acne Cleanser)

topical gel cleanser

• 2.6% (Benzac Acne Eliminating Cleanser)