Benzihex

The product is indicated for use in the topical treatment of acne vulgaris.

Treatment should normally begin with Benzihex Aquagel 2.5. The reaction of the skin to benzoyl peroxide differs in individual patients. The higher concentration in Benzihex Aquagel 5 or 10 may be required to produce a satisfactory response.

Adults and adolescents

Apply a thin film to the whole of the affected area once daily preferably after washing and drying the skin.

If excessive dryness or peeling occurs application should be temporarily interrupted as per physician instruction or patient tolerability.

Maximum lesion reduction may be expected after approximately eight to twelve weeks of drug use. Continued use is normally required to maintain a clinical response.

Elderly Patients

There are no specific recommendations for use in the elderly.

Paediatric Population

Safety and effectiveness of topical benzoyl peroxide in children under the age of 12 has not been established.

Patients with a known hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients.

Avoid contact with the eyes, eyelids, mouth, lips and other mucous membranes. Contact with broken skin should be avoided. Care should be taken when applying the product to the neck and other sensitive areas.

During the first few weeks of treatment a sudden increase in peeling and reddening will occur in most patients and will normally subside in a day or two if treatment is temporarily discontinued.

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.

If severe local irritancy occurs (e.g. severe erythema, severe dryness and itching, severe stinging/burning sensation), benzoyl peroxide should be discontinued.

As benzoyl peroxide may cause increased sensitivity to sunlight, sunlamps should not be used and deliberate or prolonged exposure to sunlight should be avoided or minimised. When exposure to strong sunlight cannot be avoided, patients should be advised to use a sunscreen product and wear protective clothing.

The product may bleach hair and coloured or dyed fabrics. Avoid contact with hair, fabrics, furniture or carpeting.

Benzihex 10 Aquagel contains propylene glycol. Propylene glycol may cause skin irritation.

Not Relevant

Adverse reactions are classified by System Organ Class. Adverse reactions that occurred either during clinical studies or that were spontaneously reported are presented below:

Very common >1/10

Common >1/100 to <1/10

Uncommon >1/1000 to <1/100

Rare >1/10000 to <1/1000

Very rare <1/10000

Not known* (cannot be estimated from the available data).

Immune System Disorders

Not known: Allergic reactions, including application site hypersensitivity and anaphylaxis

Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders

Very Common: Peeling, application site erythema

Common: Dryness, pruritus and contact sensitisation reactions

Uncommon: Burning sensation

Not known: Application site rash

General Disorders and Administration Site Conditions

Not known: Application site discoloration and application site reactions such as irritation and pain

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at:www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard.

Symptoms and signs

Topically applied benzoyl peroxide is not generally absorbed in sufficient amounts to produce systemic effects.

Excessive application may result in severe irritation. In this event, discontinue use and wait until the skin has recovered.

Treatment

Cold compresses can provide relief from irritation due to excessive application.

Accidental ingestion of topical benzoyl peroxide should be managed clinically or as recommended by the National Poisons Centre, where available.

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Benzoyl peroxide

ATC code: D10AE01

Mechanism of action

Benzoyl peroxide is a highly lipophilic oxidizing agent with bacteriocidal and keratolytic effects.

Pharmacodynamic effects

The effectiveness of benzoyl peroxide in the treatment of acne vulgaris is primarily attributable to its antibacterial activity, especially with respect to Propionibacterium acnes. The antibacterial activity of benzoyl peroxide is due to the release of active or free-radical oxygen capable of oxidising bacterial proteins. Benzoyl peroxide is also believed to be effective in the treatment of acne on account of its anti-inflammatory and mild keratolytic properties.

Absorption/Distribution/Metabolism

Benzoyl peroxide is absorbed by the skin where it is metabolised to benzoic acid. Following topical application, less than 5% of the dose enters systemic circulation as benzoic acid.

Elimination

Benzoyl peroxide is excreted as benzoic acid in the urine.

Carcinogenesis/mutagenesis

Both the carcinogenicity and photocarcinogenicity of benzoyl peroxide have been extensively assessed in both mice and hamsters, by various routes of administration, in studies ranging from 42 to 100 weeks in duration. The overall conclusion is that benzoyl peroxide is considered to be generally recognized as a neither carcinogenic nor photocarcinogenic and safe in topical acne products at a concentration of 2.5% to 10%.

The genotoxicity of benzoyl peroxide was extensively assessed in vitro and in vivo. While in a few in vitro studies benzoyl peroxide showed weak mutagenicity, the overall genotoxicity profile did not indicate significant biological relevance.

Reproductive Toxicology

Fertility and Pregnancy

In a combined repeat- dose and reproduction/development toxicity study, benzoyl peroxide (250, 500 or 1,000 mg/kg/day) was administered orally to male rats for 29 days and female rats for 41-51 days. There were no treatment-related changes observed in the mating period, mating rate, conception rate, delivery rate, birth rate, pregnancy period, luteinization number, implantation number and the rate of losing embryos and foetuses after implantation. In pups, body weight was significantly decreased in the high-dose group. The no-observed-adverse-effect-level (NOAEL) for reproductive toxicities was considered to be 500 mg/kg/day.

None.

There are no special instructions for use or handling of Benzihex Aquagel 10.