Benzoyl Peroxide

Benzoyl peroxide is used to treat mild to moderate acne.

Benzoyl peroxide comes in cleansing liquid or bar, lotion, cream, and gel for use on the skin. Benzoyl peroxide usually is used one or two times daily. Start with once daily to see how your skin reacts to this medication. Follow the directions on the package or on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use benzoyl peroxide exactly as directed. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often than directed by your doctor. The cleansing liquid and bar are used to wash the affected area as directed. To use the lotion, cream, or gel, first wash the affected skin areas and gently pat dry with a towel. Then apply a small amount of benzoyl Peroxide, rub it in gently. Avoid anything that may irritate your skin (e.g., abrasive soaps or cleansers, alcohol-containing products, cosmetics or soaps that dry the skin, medicated cosmetics, sunlight, and sunlamps) unless directed otherwise by your doctor. It may take 4-6 weeks to see the effects of this medication. If your acne does not improve after this time, call your doctor. Do not allow medication to get into your eyes, mouth, and nose. Do not use benzoyl peroxide on children less than 12 years of age without talking to a doctor.

<p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Benzoyl peroxide may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

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dryness or peeling of skin</li>
<li>
feeling of warmth</li>
<li>
tingling</li>
<li>
slight stinging</li></ul></p> <p></p> <p>If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

<ul>
<li>
burning</li>
<li>
blistering</li>
<li>
itching</li>
<li>
redness</li>
<li>
rash</li>
<li>
swelling</li></ul>If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at <a href='http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch'>http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch</a>] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].</p>

Before using benzoyl peroxide, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to benzoyl peroxide or any other drugs. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, including vitamins.