Benzac Spots Treatment

Benzoyl peroxide.

Benzac Spots Treatment Gel 5%: Each gram contains benzoyl peroxide 50 mg in a water-based gel.
Benzac Spots Treatment Gel 10%: Each gram contains benzoyl peroxide 100 mg in a water-based gel.
Benzac Spots Treatment Gel (Benzoyl Peroxide 5% and 10% Gels) are topical, water-based, benzoyl peroxide containing preparations for use in the treatment of acne vulgaris. Benzoyl peroxide is an oxidizing agent which possesses antibacterial properties and is classified as a keratolytic. Benzoyl Peroxide molecular formula is C₁₄H₁₀O₄.

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Anti-acne preparations for topical use. ATC Code: D10AE01.
Pharmacology: Pharmacodynamics: Benzoyl peroxide is an established and effective keratolytic agent with antibacterial properties. It has been shown to be effective in reducing the local population of Propionibacterium acnes leading to a reduction in the production of irritant fatty acids in the sebaceous glands.
Pharmacokinetics: Not applicable. Benzac Spots Treatment Gel is a topical preparation.
Toxicology: Preclinical safety data: In animal studies by the cutaneous route, benzoyl peroxide is associated with a minimal to moderate skin irritation potential including erythema and oedema. Phototoxic and photoallergic reactions have been reported for benzoyl peroxide therapy.

Benzac Spots Treatment Gel is indicated for the topical treatment of acne vulgaris.

For external use only.
Adults and children: Before each application, the skin should be cleaned and dried. Apply in a thin layer once or twice daily or as directed by the dermatologist to the affected areas. Persons with sensitive skin should be directed to apply the gel once daily before going to bed. The extent of any drying or peeling may be adjusted by modifying the dosage schedule.

Benzoyl peroxide gel is a preparation indicated for topical treatment only. If the medication is applied excessively, no more rapid or better results will be obtained and severe irritation might develop. In this event, treatment must be discontinued and appropriate symptomatic therapy should be instituted.

Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients.

For external use only. Benzac Spots Treatment Gel may cause swelling and blistering of the skin, if any of these symptoms occur, medication has to be discontinued. A mild burning sensation will probably be felt on first application and some reddening and peeling of the skin will occur within a few days. During the first weeks of treatment a sudden increase in peeling will occur in most patients. This is not harmful and will normally subside within a day or two if treatment is temporarily discontinued. If severe irritation occurs, patients should be directed to use the medication less frequently, to temporarily discontinue use or to discontinue use altogether.
Patients should be advised that excessive application will not improve efficacy, but may increase the risk of skin irritation. Concomitant topical acne therapy should be used with caution because a possible cumulative irritancy may occur, which sometimes may be severe, especially with the use of peeling, desquamating, or abrasive agents. Benzoyl peroxide gel should not come into contact with the eyes, mouth, angles of the nose or mucous membranes. If the preparation enters the eye, wash thoroughly with water. Caution should be exercised when applying the drug to the neck and other sensitive areas.
As Benzac Spots Treatment Gel may cause increased sensitivity to sunlight, sunlamps should not be used and deliberate or prolonged exposure to sunlight or UV radiation should be avoided or minimised. When strong sunlight cannot be avoided, patients should be advised to use a sunscreen product and wear protective clothing.
Contact with any coloured material including hair and dyed fabrics may result in bleaching or discoloration. Due to the risk of sensitisation, benzoyl peroxide gel should not be applied on damaged skin.
Effects on ability to drive and use machines: Benzac Spots Treatment Gel has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive and use machines.

Pregnancy: There is no safety concern relating to the effects of cutaneously applied benzoyl peroxide on reproductive function, fertility, teratogenicity, embryotoxicity, or peri- and post-natal development from animal data. In widespread clinical use for the cutaneous treatment of acne vulgaris, at concentrations up to 10% w/w for several decades, benzoyl peroxide has never been associated with such effects on these parameters in humans. Benzac Spots Treatment Gel should only be used by a pregnant woman if clearly needed.
Breast-feeding: It is unknown whether benzoyl peroxide/metabolites are excreted in human milk. A risk to the new-borns/infants cannot be excluded.
Caution should be exercised when benzoyl peroxide gel is administered to a nursing woman and the preparation should not be applied on the chest to avoid accidental transfer to the infant.

The adverse reactions resulting from clinical trials are all skin disorders. They are reversible when treatment is reduced in frequency or discontinued.
The following categories are used to indicate the frequency of occurrence of adverse effects: Very common (≥1/10), Common (≥1/100 to <1/10), Uncommon (≥ 1/1,000 to <1/100), Rare (≥1/10,000 to <1/1,000), Very rare (<1/10,000), Unknown (Frequency not assessable based on the available data).
They are presented in the table as follows: See table.

Click on icon to see table/diagram/image

Swelling face and allergic reactions, including application site hypersensitivity and anaphylaxis (unknown frequency) have been reported during postmarketing surveillance.

No interaction studies have been performed; however, drugs with desquamative, irritant and drying effects should not be used concurrently with benzoyl peroxide gel.

Do not store above 25°C.

Acne Treatment Preparations

D10AE01 - benzoyl peroxide ; Belongs to the class of topical peroxide preparations used in the treatment of acne.

Non-Rx