Acnecide 5% w/w Gel
benzoyl peroxide
GEL
Acnecide 5% w/w Gel
Benzoyl Peroxide
Read all of this leaflet carefully because it contains important information for you.
This medicine is available without prescription. However, you still need to use Acnecide carefully to get the best results from it.
- Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
- Ask your pharmacist if you need more information or advice.
- You must contact a doctor if your symptoms worsen or do not improve
- If any of the side effects gets serious, or if you notice any side effect not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.
In this leaflet:
- 1. What Acnecide is and what it is used for
- 2. Before you use Acnecide
- 3. How to use Acnecide
- 4. Possible side effects
- 5. How to store Acnecide
- 6. Further information
What Acnecide is and what it is used for
- Acnecide contains the active ingredient benzoyl peroxide which attacks the bacteria (germs) known as Propionibacterium acnes, one of the main causes of acne.
- Your doctor or pharmacist has recommended this medicine to treat your acne. Acne appears as blackheads and whiteheads which people often refer to as pimples or spots.
- Acne of the face, chest or back may be treated with this medicine.
Before you use Acnecide
Do not use Acnecide if you are:
- Allergic (hypersensitive) to benzoyl peroxide or any of the other ingredients in the product (see section 6 for other ingredients). An allergic reaction may include a rash or itching.
Take special care with Acnecide
- 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.
- 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 excessive exposure to sunlight or UV lamps.
Using other medicines
- You should not use medicines with peeling, irritant and drying effects at the same time as Acnecide.
- Do not use Acnecide with any other acne products that are used on the skin, unless your doctor or pharmacist has told you that you can, as this may cause your skin to become red and very sore.
Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
- If you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant or are breast-feeding, do not use this product unless your doctor has told you that you can.
- Avoid using this product if you are breast-feeding unless your doctor has told you otherwise. If your doctor has recommended the use of this product while you are breast-feeding, you must not apply the gel onto your chest, this is to avoid exposure of your child to this product.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine.
Important information about some of the ingredients of Acnecide
This product contains propylene glycol which may cause skin irritation.
How to use Acnecide
Adults and children
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 once or twice a day to all the affected areas.
- 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.
- You should start treatment with the lower strength product. Provided your skin tolerates the lower strength gel, your doctor or pharmacist may recommend continued treatment with a higher strength gel to further help clear your acne.
If you use more Acnecide than you should or accidentally swallow the gel
- If you should accidentally use too much gel, you may find that your skin becomes irritated. Wash off as much as you can, and when the irritation has gone down, start using it again as directed.
- In the rare event that you accidentally swallow any of this product, seek medical advice.
If you forget to use Acnecide
- Don’t worry if you forget to use your gel at the right time. When you remember, start using the product again, in the same way as before.
If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Possible side effects
Like all medicines, Acnecide 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.
While you are using Acnecide
- It is normal in the first weeks to experience a feeling of skin tension, dryness or a burning, stinging or itching sensation, and a small amount of peeling or reddening of the skin. These effects are usually mild and will go when treatment stops or the gel is applied less often.
If any of the side effects gets serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.
How to store Acnecide
- Keep out of the reach and sight of children.
- Do not use Acnecide after the expiry date which is stated on the tube and carton. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
- Do not store above 25°C. Do not freeze.
- Store the closed tube away from direct heat.
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.
Further Information
What Acnecide contains
The active ingredient 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.
What Acnecide looks like and contents of the pack
Acnecide is a white gel. It is available in tubes of 60g from your pharmacist or on prescription from your doctor.
Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer
Marketing Authorisation Holder:
(PL 10590/0006)
Manufacturer:
This leaflet was last approved in 12/2007
P20243-6
No comments:
Post a Comment