Benzamycin
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Accepted at over 60,000 pharmacies nationwide
Generic Name: benzoyl peroxide and erythromycin topical
(BEN zoe ill per OX ide and er ith roe MYE sin)
What is Benzamycin?
Benzoyl peroxide has an antibacterial effect. It also has a mild drying effect that allows excess oils and dirt to be easily washed away.
Erythromycin is an antibiotic. Erythromycin topical prevents bacteria from growing on the skin.
Together, benzoyl peroxide and erythromycin are used to treat acne.
Benzamycin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about Benzamycin?
Do not use Benzamycin on sunburned, windburned, dry, chapped, or irritated skin or on open wounds.
Avoid abrasive, harsh, or drying soaps and cleansers while using Benzamycin.
Avoid contact with clothing and hair. Benzoyl peroxide may cause bleaching.
Avoid combining PABA-containing sunscreens and benzoyl peroxide. Temporary skin discoloration may occur if they are used together.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using Benzamycin?
Do not use Benzamycin on sunburned, windburned, dry, chapped, or irritated skin. It could make these conditions much worse. Also avoid using benzoyl peroxide and erythromycin topical on wounds or on areas of eczema. Wait until these conditions have healed before using this medication.
Do not use Benzamycin during treatment with tretinoin (Retin-A). The combination could lead to severe skin irritation.
It is not known whether Benzamycin will harm an unborn baby. Do not use this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.
It is also not known whether Benzamycin passes into breast milk. Do not use benzoyl peroxide and erythromycin topical without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I use Benzamycin?
Use Benzamycin exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
Wash your hands before and after applying this medication.
Clean and dry the area to which you will apply the medication. Benzamycin is usually applied twice daily in the morning and evening. Follow your doctor's directions.
When applying Benzamycin, avoid the eyes, the inside of the nose and mouth, the lips, and areas where the skin is broken to prevent excessive irritation. If you get medication in any of these areas, rinse it off with water.
Do not cover the affected area after applying Benzamycin. Doing so could cause too much medicine to be absorbed by the body and could be harmful.
It may take several weeks or more to see the effects of this drug. Do not stop using Benzamycin if you do not see results immediately.
Store Benzamycin at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Apply the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the dose you missed and apply only the next regularly scheduled dose.
What happens if I overdose?
An overdose of Benzamycin is unlikely to occur. If you do suspect an overdose, or if benzoyl peroxide and erythromycin topical has been ingested, call a poison control center or emergency room for advice.
What should I avoid while taking Benzamycin?
Do not use Benzamycin on sunburned, windburned, dry, chapped, or irritated skin or on open wounds.
Avoid using other topical products on the same area at the same time unless directed to do so by your doctor. They may interfere with the effects or absorption of Benzamycin.
Do not cover the affected area after applying Benzamycin. Doing so could cause too much medicine to be absorbed by the body and could be harmful.
Avoid using harsh, abrasive, or irritating cleansers, perfumes, or cosmetics on the affected area.
Avoid contact with clothing and hair. Benzoyl peroxide may cause bleaching.
Avoid combining PABA-containing sunscreens and benzoyl peroxide. Temporary skin discoloration may occur if they are used together.
What are the possible side effects of Benzamycin?
Serious side effects are not likely to occur. Stop using Benzamycin and seek emergency medical attention if you experience an allergic reaction (shortness of breath; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, face, or tongue; or hives).
You may experience some skin burning, stinging, tingling, itching, redness, dryness, peeling, or irritation while using benzoyl peroxide topical. If these side effects are excessive, apply Benzamycin less often.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect Benzamycin?
Do not use Benzamycin during treatment with tretinoin (Retin-A). The combination could lead to severe skin irritation.
Do not use other topical prescription or over-the-counter products on the same area at the same time unless directed to do so by your doctor.
Avoid using harsh, abrasive, or irritating cleansers, perfumes, or cosmetics on the area being treated.
Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Benzamycin. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products.
Where can I get more information?
Your pharmacist has additional information about Benzamycin written for health professionals that you may read.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Copyright 1996-2009 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 1.08. Revision Date: 4/12/2009.
