Benzoyl Peroxide 5% + Erythromycin 3% topical
Indications
Benzoyl Peroxide 5% + Erythromycin 3% topical is used for:
Acne vulgaris
Adult Dose
Adult:
Topical
Acne: Apply topically BID (morning and evening).
Child Dose
<12 years: Safety and efficacy not established
>12 years: Apply topically BID (morning and evening)
Renal Dose
Administration
Apply topically to affected areas after skin is thoroughly washed and patted dry.
Contra Indications
Hypersensitivity.
Precautions
This medication should not be used for any disorder other than that for which it was prescribed
Topical Gel may bleach hair or colored fabric
Concomitant topical acne therapy may result in cumulative irritation, especially with use of peeling, desquamating, or abrasive agents; if this occurs, discontinue and seek medical advice
Superinfection
Use of antibiotic agents may be associated with overgrowth of nonsusceptible organisms including fungi; if this occurs, discontinue use and take appropriate measures
Pregnancy-Lactation
Pregnancy
There are no well-controlled trials in pregnant women with this therapy; it also is not known whether this therapy can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproductive capacity; this therapy should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed
Animal data
Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with this therapy
There was no evidence of teratogenicity or any other adverse effect on reproduction in female rats fed erythromycin base (up to 0.25% diet) prior to and during mating, during gestation, and through weaning of two successive litters
Lactation
Not known whether this drug combination is excreted in human milk after topical application; however, erythromycin is excreted in human milk following oral and parenteral erythromycin administration; exercise caution when erythromycin is administered to nursing women
Interactions
Benzoyl Peroxide: PABA sunscreens may transiently discolour fabric.
Erythromycin: Potentially Fatal: QT prolongation, cardiac arrhythmias, ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, torsades de pointes w/ cisapride, pimozide, astemizole or terfenadine. Acute ergot toxicity w/ ergotamine and dihydroergotamine.
Adverse Effects
Side effects of Benzoyl Peroxide 5% + Erythromycin 3% topical :
1-10%
Dry skin (5-7.6%),Application site reaction (stinging, erythema, burning) (0.8-2.5%),Blepharitis (1.7%),Pruritus (1.7-2.5%),Photosensitivity (1.3%)
<1%
Skin peeling (<0.5%)
Mechanism of Action
The exact mechanism by which erythromycin and benzoyl peroxide reduce lesions of acne vulgaris is not fully known
Erythromycin: Inhibits protein synthesis in susceptible organisms by reversibly binding to 50 S ribosomal subunits, thereby inhibiting translocation of aminoacyl transfer-RNA and inhibiting polypeptide synthesis
Benzoyl peroxide: Elicits action by releasing active oxygen; effective in vitro against Propionibacterium acnes, an anaerobe found in sebaceous follicles and comedones; also elicits a keratolytic and desquamative effect which may also contribute to its efficacy