BENZAC 5% GEL"TUBE 40 G

Name
Benzac 5% gel
Benzac 10% gel
Benzoyl peroxide


What is it and what is it for?
Benzac contains the active ingredient benzoyl peroxide and belongs to a class of medicines used for the local treatment of acne.

Benzac disinfects the skin; it also works against acne-causing bacteria.


What you need to know before taking the medicine
Do not use Benzac:
- If you are allergic to benzoyl peroxide or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).


Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Benzac.

Benzac is for external use only.
• Avoid contact with eyes, mouth, nose, and other mucous membranes. If the medicine gets into your eye, rinse thoroughly with water.
• Do not apply the product to skin with superficial lesions (abrasions) or to irritated skin.
• Avoid exposure to ultraviolet rays (tanning lamps) and the sun while applying the product.
• In case of severe irritation, consult your doctor who will advise you to use Benzac less frequently, to temporarily interrupt or suspend use of the medicine.
• Benzoyl peroxide may cause swelling and blistering of the skin; stop using the medicine and contact your doctor if any of these symptoms occur.
• You should use caution when applying the medicine to the neck and other sensitive areas.
You may experience a slight burning sensation during the first application, and within a few days, you may experience slight redness and flaking of the skin.
During the first few weeks of treatment, most patients experience a sudden increase in scaling. This is not dangerous and usually subsides within a day or two if treatment is temporarily interrupted.

Use of skin products, especially if prolonged, may cause sensitization. If this occurs, discontinue use immediately and consult your doctor for appropriate treatment.
The oxidizing action of the gel can discolor dyed hair and colored clothing.

Children and adolescents
No data on efficacy and safety are available in children under 12 years of age.


Possible side effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Adverse reactions from clinical studies are all related to skin disorders. They are reversible if treatment is reduced in frequency or discontinued.

Very common side effects (may affect more than 1 in 10 people):
- Erythema (redness of the skin)
- Skin peeling (detachment of dead skin cells)
- Burning sensation on the skin
- Dry skin

Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):
- Skin irritation (irritant contact dermatitis)
- Itching
- Skin pain (ache, stinging pain)

Uncommon side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):
- Allergic dermatitis (inflammation) from contact with the product

Side effects with unknown frequency (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data)
- Swelling (tumefaction) of the face and allergic reactions including hypersensitivity where the medicine is applied and a severe, rapidly developing allergic reaction (anaphylaxis).

Reporting of side effects
If you experience any side effects, including any not listed in this leaflet, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. You can also report side effects directly via the national reporting system at: https://www.aifa.gov.it/content/segnalazionireazioni-avverse .
By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.