BPO 4% Gel

Generic name: Benzoyl Peroxide
Drug class: Topical acne agents

Usage of BPO 4% Gel

Benzoyl peroxide topical is used to treat acne and may be used for other skin conditions as determined by your doctor. Epsolay® topical cream is used to treat inflammatory lesions (pimples and red bumps) caused by rosacea.

Epsolay® topical cream is available only with your doctor's prescription. Some of the skin products are available without prescription.

BPO 4% Gel side effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Less common

Pain, burning, blistering, changes in color, dryness, itching, peeling, redness, scaling, stinging, or swelling of the skin where the medicine is applied

Incidence not known

Chest tightness

cough

difficulty swallowing

dizziness

fainting

fast heartbeat

hives, itching, or skin rash

increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight

large, hive-like swelling on face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs

redness or other discoloration of the skin

severe sunburn

swelling of the eyes, face, lips, or tongue

tightness in the throat

trouble breathing

unusual tiredness or weakness

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Less common

Dryness or peeling of the skin (may occur after a few days)

feeling of warmth, mild stinging, and redness of the skin

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking BPO 4% Gel

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of Epsolay® topical cream in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Although appropriate studies on the relationship of age to the effects of Benzoyl peroxide topical have not been performed in children 12 years of age and older, no pediatric-specific problems have been documented to date.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of Epsolay® topical cream in the elderly.

Although appropriate studies on the relationship of age to the effects of benzoyl peroxide topical have not been performed in the geriatric population, no geriatric-specific problems have been documented to date.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

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How to use BPO 4% Gel

It is very important that you use this medicine only as directed. Do not use more of it, do not use it more often, and do not use it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. To do so may cause your skin to be irritated. You may need to use this medicine for several weeks or months before your skin starts to look better. Applying extra medicine will not make it work faster.

This medicine comes with a patient information leaflet. Read and follow the instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

This medicine is for use on the skin only. Do not get it in your eyes, nose, lips, mouth, or vagina. Do not use on skin areas that have cuts, scrapes, or sunburn. If it does get on these areas, rinse it off right away.

Before using an OTC acne product for the first time, apply a small amount to one or two small affected areas of the skin for 3 days. If no discomfort occurs, follow the directions on the drug facts label of the product.

Wash your hands with soap and water before and after you use this medicine.

To use the cream:

Make sure your skin is clean and dry before you apply this medicine.

Apply a thin layer to the affected areas, and gently rub it in.

When you first begin to use this product, prime the pump by pressing down until the first drop of cream is released.

To use the gel, lotion, or stick:

Before applying, wash the affected area with a nonmedicated soap and water or with a mild cleanser and then gently pat dry with a towel.

Apply enough medicine to cover the affected areas, and rub in gently.

To use the shave cream:

Wet the area to be shaved.

Apply a small amount of the shave cream and gently rub over entire area.

Shave. Rinse the area and pat dry.

After-shave lotions or other drying face products should not be used without checking with your doctor first.

To use the cleansing bar, cleansing lotion, or soap:

Use to wash the affected areas as directed.

To use the facial mask:

Before applying, wash the affected area with a nonmedicated cleanser. Then rinse and pat dry.

Using a circular motion, apply a thin layer of the mask evenly over the affected area.

Allow the mask to dry for 15 to 25 minutes.

Then rinse thoroughly with warm water and pat dry.

You should not wash the areas of the skin treated with benzoyl peroxide for at least 1 hour after application.

Avoid getting this medicine in your hair or on colored fabrics. It may bleach your hair or colored fabrics.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

For acne:

For topical dosage form (cleansing bar):

Adults and children 12 years of age and over—Use 2 or 3 times a day, or as directed by your doctor.