Benzoyl peroxide decreases the number of anaerobic bacteria and decreases the number of free fatty acids by causing the release of free-radical oxygen which oxidizes bacterial proteins in the sebaceous follicles. It is used to treat mild to moderate acne vulgaris and acne rosacea.

Adult dose :

Benzoyl peroxide Use in Acne:

• Topical formulations:

  • Apply sparingly once a day.
  • Gradually increase the frequency to 2 - 3 times a day if needed.
  • The dosing frequency and concentration can be adjusted to control the amount of drying.
  • If excessive burning or stinging occurs, it should be removed with mild soap and water and should be resumed the next day.

• Topical cleansers:

  • Wash once or two times a day
  • The dosing frequency and concentration can be adjusted to control the amount of drying.

Dose in children :

Benzoyl Peroxide Use in Acne:

• Children older than 7 years and Adolescents:

  • Topical formulations:

    • Apply sparingly once a day.
    • Gradually increase the frequency to 2 - 3 times a day if needed.
    • The dosing frequency and concentration can be adjusted to control the amount of drying.
    • If excessive burning or stinging occurs, it should be removed with mild soap and water and should be resumed the next day.

  • Topical cleansers:

    • Wash once or two times a day
    • The dosing frequency and concentration can be adjusted to control the amount of drying.

Pregnancy Risk Factor C

• It has not yet been tested in pregnancy.
• The first line of therapy for acne during pregnancy is topical medication.
• One of the most preferred agents is benzoyl peroxide

Benzoyl peroxide use during breastfeeding:

• It is unknown if the drug will be excreted into breastmilk.
• Most experts consider it compatible with breastfeeding. However, the manufacturer suggests that you exercise caution.
• Avoid using the drug in large doses over a long period of time.
• Avoid direct contact with the skin treated on the infant.

Benzoyl Peroxide dose in kidney disease:

Adjustment in the dose is not required as per manufacturer's labeling in patients with renal disease.

Benzoyl Peroxide Dose in Liver disease:

Adjustment in the dose is not required as per manufacturer's labeling in patients with liver disease. 

Side Effects of Benzoyl peroxide:

• Dermatologic:

  • Desquamation
  • Erythema
  • Contact dermatitis
  • Skin irritation
  • Xeroderma

Contraindications to Benzoyl peroxide:

• Allergies to benzoylperoxide or any other ingredient of the formulation

Warnings and Precautions

• Bleaching effects

  • It can bleach hair, clothing, and carpet.

• Hypersensitivity reaction

  • It has been linked to severe allergic reactions, including life-threatening reactions.
  • Allergies can occur within minutes or days. This is different from local reactions that occur when the drug has been applied.
  • These include redness, swelling, burning, itching and peeling.
  • If itching occurs, discontinue use of the drug.

• Skin irritation:

  • It can cause mild skin irritations such as itching, burning, peeling, redness and swelling.
  • If the patient experiences severe irritation, discontinue the medication.

• Benzyl alcohol, and its derivatives:

  • Gasping syndrome has been linked to benzyl alcohol in dosage forms for neonates.
  • Avoiding exposure to neonates is a good idea.

Benzoyl peroxide: Drug Interaction

Note: Drug Interaction Categories:

• Risk Factor C: Monitor When Using Combination
• Risk Factor D: Consider Treatment Modification
• Risk Factor X: Avoid Concomitant Use

Monitoring Parameters:

Monitor response. 

How to administer Benzoyl peroxide?

• Avoid contact with eyes, mucous membranes, clothing, and furniture (it may stain them).
• It may also bleach hair.
• Frequency of application or the drug concentration should be reduced in patients who notice peeling off of the skin or have bothersome dryness.
• If excessive burning or stinging occurs, it should be removed with mild soap and water and resumed the next day.

• Cleansers:

  • Wet the skin before applying the drug. Massage gently into skin for 10 - 20 seconds till the formation of a full lather. Pat dry after rinsing thoroughly.

• Cloths:

  • Wet face with water.
  • Wet the cloth and work into a full lather.
  • Clean face with cloth for 10 - 20 seconds.
  • Pat dry after rinsing thoroughly.
  • Throw away the cloth (Do not flush).

• Foam:

  • Prime the can before use.
  • Shake vigorously and tap the can onto palm or solid surface three times before each use.
  • Dispense foam into palm of hand or applicator pad and cover the entire affected area.
  • Rub in until completely absorbed.
  • Rinse the applicator with water and allow to dry after use.
  • Wash hands with soap and water after use.

Mechanism of action of Benzoyl peroxide:

• It reduces anaerobic bacteria, and lowers the amount of free fatty acid by causing the release free-radical oxygen that oxidizes bacterial protein in the sebaceous glands.

5% of the drug's price isabsorbedThrough the skin. More information about the gel formulationabsorbableIt is better than the cream.

It isMetabolizedBy being converted to benzoic acids in the skin  

International Brands of Benzoyl Peroxide:

• Acne Medication 10
• Acne Medication 5
• Acne-Clear
• AcneFree Acne Clearing
• System
• AcneFree Severe Clearing Syst
• Advanced Acne Wash
• Benzac AC Wash;
• BenzEFoam
• BenzEFoamUltra
• BenzePrO
• BenzePrO Creamy Wash
• BenzePrO Foaming
• Cloths
• BenzePrO Short Contact
• Benziq
• Benziq LS
• Benziq Wash
• Benzoyl Peroxide Cleanser
• BP Foam
• BP Foaming Wash
• BP Gel
• BP Wash
• BPO
• BPO Creamy Wash
• BPO Foaming Cloths
• BPO Foaming Cloths
• BPO-10 Wash
• BPO-5 Wash
• Clearplex V
• Clearplex X
• Clearskin
• Desquam-X Wash
• Inova
• Neutrogena Clear Pore
• OC8
• PanOxyl Creamy Wash
• PanOxyl Foaming Wash
• PanOxyl Wash
• PanOxyl
• PanOxyl-4 Creamy Wash
• PR Benzoyl Peroxide Wash
• Riax
• Zaclir Cleansing
• Acne Derm
• Acnecide
• Acnetick-10
• Acnexyl
• Acnezoyl
• Acnie
• Aknefug
• Aknefug-Oxid
• Aknefug-oxid
• Akneroxid
• Akneroxide
• Ambix
• Antopar
• Basiron AC
• Benoxid
• Benoxyl
• Benoxyl AQ AL
• Benoxyphil
• Benzac
• Benzac AC
• Benzac Spots Treatment
• Benzac W
• Benzacene
• Benzacne
• Benzapur
• Benzed
• Benzihex AC
• Benzoile Perossido
• Benzolac
• Benzomix
• Benzoylperoxide-Galderma
• Benzperox
• Bepio Gel
• Bexid
• Brevoxyl
• Caress
• Clearasil Ultra
• Dercome
• Eclaran
• Ecuaderm
• Effacne
• Enzoxid
• Lubexyl
• Medigel
• Oxazone
• Oxigel
• Oxy
• Oxy Preps.
• Panoxyl
• PanOxyl
• Panoxyl AQ
• Pansulfox
• Pernox Gel
• Persol Gel
• Pretty
• Reloxyl
• Scherogel
• Solugel
• Tinagel
• Vixiderm

Benzoyl peroxide Brand Names in Pakistan: