DrugindexOnline^{2nd edition}

Generic Name: Benzoyl Peroxide Cream (BEN-zoyl per-OX-ide)
Brand Name: Examples include Acne Treatment and Clearskin

Acne Treatment Cream is used for:

Treating acne.

Acne Treatment Cream is a keratolytic agent with antibacterial actions. The effectiveness of benzoyl peroxide appears to be due to its antibacterial, peeling (keratolytic), and drying actions.

Do NOT use Acne Treatment Cream if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Acne Treatment Cream

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Acne Treatment Cream:

Some medical conditions may interact with Acne Treatment Cream. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Acne Treatment Cream. However, no specific interactions with Acne Treatment Cream are known at this time.

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Acne Treatment Cream may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Acne Treatment Cream:

Use Acne Treatment Cream as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• To use, wet the affected area.
• To use the shaving cream - Apply the cream, gently rub over the area, and shave. Rinse and pat dry. Wash your hands after using Acne Treatment Cream.
• To use the cream - Wash and completely dry the affected area. Gently rub the medicine in until it is evenly distributed. Wash your hands after using Acne Treatment Cream.
• If a dose is missed, use it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Acne Treatment Cream.

Important safety information:

• Acne Treatment Cream may be harmful if swallowed. If you or someone you know may have taken Acne Treatment Cream by mouth, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.
• Use on the skin only. Avoid getting Acne Treatment Cream in your eyes, on the inside of your nose or mouth, on highly inflamed or damaged skin, or on your lips. If you get Acne Treatment Cream in your eyes, immediately wash them out with cool tap water.
• Avoid applying Acne Treatment Cream to raw or irritated skin, including sunburns, or to open wounds.
• Several weeks may pass before you see improvement in your acne. Continue to use Acne Treatment Cream for the full time recommended by your doctor. If your acne does not improve or if it gets worse, check with your doctor.
• Do not use any other medicines, special cleansers, aftershave, or cosmetics on your skin without checking with your doctor.
• Acne Treatment Cream may cause increased sensitivity to sunlight. Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun and other ultraviolet light (eg, tanning beds). Use sunscreens and wear protective clothing until tolerance is determined.
• Acne Treatment Cream may cause bleaching. Avoid contact with hair, fabrics, or carpeting.
• Use Acne Treatment Cream with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 12 years of age. Safety and effectiveness in this age group have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you plan on becoming pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Acne Treatment Cream during pregnancy. It is unknown if Acne Treatment Cream is excreted in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you are using Acne Treatment Cream, check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Acne Treatment Cream:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Dryness; feeling of warmth; irritation; itching; peeling; redness; stinging; swelling of the skin.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; dizziness; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); excessive burning, itching, redness, or tenderness of your skin; extreme dryness; swelling.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include excessive scaling; flushing; redness; swelling.

Proper storage of Acne Treatment Cream:

Store at room temperature between 59 and 77 degrees F (15 and 25 degrees C) in a tightly-closed container, away from fire, flame, heat, and light. Keep Acne Treatment Cream out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Acne Treatment Cream, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Acne Treatment Cream is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Acne Treatment Cream. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.