Acnecide

Do not use Acnecide if you are:

• Allergic (hypersensitive) to benzoyl peroxide or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6). An allergic reaction may include a rash or itching.

Warnings and precautions:

• Avoid contact with the eyes, mouth, angles of the nose and other mucous surfaces such as the lining of your nose. If accidental contact should occur, rinse thoroughly with warm water.
• Acnecide should not be applied to damaged skin.
• Acnecide may cause swelling and blistering of the skin, if any of these symptoms occur, use of the product should be discontinued.
• This product may bleach hair and coloured fabrics including clothing, towels and bed linen. Be careful to avoid contact of the gel with these materials. Please make sure that you wash your hands thoroughly after you have used it.
• Caution should be exercised when applying Acnecide to the neck and other sensitive areas.
• Avoid repeated exposure to sunlight or other sources of UV light (e.g. sun bed)

Acnecide is for EXTERNAL USE ONLY.

Unless your doctor or pharmacist has told you otherwise:

• Wash the affected area with a mild skin cleanser and water, and gently pat your skin dry.
• Apply the gel in a thin layer once or twice a day to all the affected areas.
• If you have sensitive skin apply the gel once daily before going to bed
• Any drying or peeling which may occur to your skin may be reduced if you alter the number of times you apply, i.e. to once a day or once every two days until your skin adjusts to the product.

You should try to avoid exposure to strong sunlight while using Acnecide. If exposure is unavoidable, use a suitable sunscreen lotion and apply Acnecide in the evening. Remember to wash the affected area before use. How long you will have to use Acnecide will depend on how quickly your condition improves. After you have used it for one month, you should see your doctor or pharmacist again. He or she can then check the improvement of your condition.

The active substance is hydrous benzoyl peroxide equivalent to benzoyl peroxide 5% w/w in an aqueous, non-alcoholic gel base. The other ingredients are docusate sodium, disodium edetate, poloxamer 182, carbomer 940, propylene glycol, acrylates copolymer, glycerol, colloidal anhydrous silica, purified water and sodium hydroxide to adjust the pH.  

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. If your skin becomes severely irritated, or severe redness, itching or peeling of the skin occurs, or you experience face swelling, discontinue use immediately and consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Tell your doctor immediately if you develop a severe allergic reaction:

Signs of severe allergic reactions may include:

• Raised and itchy rash (hives)
• Swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue or mouth (angioedema), having difficulty in breathing
• Fainting
• Allergic contact dermatitis

Acnecide may cause the following side effects:

• Dry skin
• Skin redness
• Peeling of the skin
• Burning sensation of the skin
• Itching of the skin (pruritus)
• Pain of the skin (pain, stinging)
• Skin irritation (irritant contact dermatitis)

These symptoms are usually reversible if the treatment is reduced in frequency or discontinued.