erythromycin / benzoyl peroxide
Benzamycin (erythromycin / benzoyl peroxide) is a prescription topical gel used to treat acne in people 12 years and older. It's a combination of two medications: erythromycin (a macrolide antibiotic) and benzoyl peroxide (an antiseptic). It's applied to the affected skin twice a day, usually in the morning and evening. Side effects include skin dryness, itching, and burning.
What is Benzamycin (erythromycin / benzoyl peroxide)?
What is Benzamycin (erythromycin / benzoyl peroxide) used for?
- Acne in people ages 12 years and older
How Benzamycin (erythromycin / benzoyl peroxide) works
Benzamycin (erythromycin / benzoyl peroxide) is a combination of two medications that work together to treat acne.
- Erythromycin is a macrolide antibiotic. It works by stopping acne-causing bacteria from making proteins they need to grow and survive.
- Benzoyl peroxide is an antiseptic. It works by killing the bacteria on your skin that cause acne.
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Benzamycin |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Antibiotic / antiseptic |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | Lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
Side effects of Benzamycin (erythromycin / benzoyl peroxide)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Dry skin (3%)
- Hives (3%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Skin peeling
- Itching
- Burning
- Redness
- Swelling of face, eyes, and nose
- Eye irritation
Benzamycin (erythromycin / benzoyl peroxide) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Severe diarrhea: watery diarrhea, bloody stools, severe stomach cramps, fever, dehydration
The following Benzamycin (erythromycin / benzoyl peroxide) side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Less common or rare
Burning, blistering, crusting, itching, severe redness, or swelling of the skin
dryness or peeling of the skin
feeling of warmth, mild stinging, or redness of the skin
increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight
oiliness or tenderness of the skin
painful irritation of the skin
redness or other discoloration of the skin
redness, swelling, or itching of the eyelid
severe sunburn
skin rash
swelling of the eyes, face, and nose
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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Pros and cons of Benzamycin (erythromycin / benzoyl peroxide)
Pros
- Combines two acne medications in one gel
- Applied directly to the affected skin
- Approved for adults and children ages 12 years and older
Cons
- Must usually be applied twice daily
- Can dry out or irritate your skin
- Can bleach hair, towels, bedding, and clothing
Pharmacist tips for Benzamycin (erythromycin / benzoyl peroxide)
- Benzamycin (erythromycin / benzoyl peroxide) can cause redness, dryness, peeling, stinging, or burning where you apply it. Talk to your prescriber if these skin reactions become severe or don't go away.
- Use a moisturizer as needed while using Benzamycin (erythromycin / benzoyl peroxide) to help prevent dry or irritated skin.
- Avoid using other topical acne medications, including medicated soaps, cleansers, shampoos, at the same time as Benzamycin (erythromycin / benzoyl peroxide). Using them together can irritate your skin.
- Benzamycin (erythromycin / benzoyl peroxide) can bleach your hair, clothing, towels, and bed sheets. Let the medication dry completely before getting dressed or lying down.
- Storage: Keep Benzamycin (erythromycin / benzoyl peroxide) in the refrigerator once you get home. Throw it away after 3 months even if there is still medication left in the jar.
How to use Benzamycin (erythromycin / benzoyl peroxide):
- Wash your hands before and after using the medication. Gently wash the affected skin with a mild cleanser and let it dry completely before applying the medication.
- Apply a thin layer to the affected skin twice a day, usually in the morning and evening. Don't apply it to skin that is cut, scraped, or damaged.
- Apply the gel to your skin only. Keep it out of your eyes, nose, and mouth because it can cause irritation.
Risks and warnings for Benzamycin (erythromycin / benzoyl peroxide)
Benzamycin (erythromycin / benzoyl peroxide) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Severe diarrhea
Although it's rare, Benzamycin (erythromycin / benzoyl peroxide) can cause a serious bowel infection called C. difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD). This can happen because the antibiotic changes the normal bacteria in your gut.
Tell your care team right away if you have severe diarrhea, diarrhea that doesn't go away, stomach pain, fever, or bloody stools. Your prescriber might have you stop the medication and start treatment if needed.
Benzamycin (erythromycin / benzoyl peroxide) dosage
Interactions between Benzamycin (erythromycin / benzoyl peroxide) and other drugs
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
- Astemizole
- Bepridil
- Cisapride
- Colchicine
- Dihydroergotamine
- Dronedarone
- Eliglustat
- Ergoloid Mesylates
- Ergonovine
- Ergotamine
- Flibanserin
- Fluconazole
- Grepafloxacin
- Levomethadyl
- Lomitapide
- Lovastatin
- Mesoridazine
- Methylergonovine
- Methysergide
- Pimozide
- Piperaquine
- Posaconazole
- Saquinavir
- Simvastatin
- Sparfloxacin
- Terfenadine
- Thioridazine
- Ziprasidone
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Abametapir
- Acalabrutinib
- Acecainide
- Afatinib
- Ajmaline
- Alfentanil
- Alprazolam
- Amiodarone
- Amisulpride
- Amitriptyline
- Amoxapine
- Anagrelide
- Apomorphine
- Aprepitant
- Aprindine
- Aripiprazole
- Aripiprazole Lauroxil
- Arsenic Trioxide
- Ascorbic Acid
- Asenapine
- Atorvastatin
- Avapritinib
- Azimilide
- Azithromycin
- Bedaquiline
- Benzhydrocodone
- Berotralstat
- Betrixaban
- Bosutinib
- Bretylium
- Brexpiprazole
- Brigatinib
- Buprenorphine
- Buserelin
- Carbamazepine
- Ceritinib
- Cerivastatin
- Chloral Hydrate
- Chloroquine
- Chlorpromazine
- Cholera Vaccine, Live
- Cilostazol
- Ciprofloxacin
- Citalopram
- Clarithromycin
- Clindamycin
- Clofazimine
- Clomipramine
- Clozapine
- Cobicistat
- Cobimetinib
- Codeine
- Conivaptan
- Crizotinib
- Cyclobenzaprine
- Dabigatran Etexilate
- Dabrafenib
- Darunavir
- Dasatinib
- Deflazacort
- Degarelix
- Delamanid
- Desipramine
- Deslorelin
- Deutetrabenazine
- Dibenzepin
- Digoxin
- Dihydrocodeine
- Diltiazem
- Disopyramide
- Dofetilide
- Dolasetron
- Domperidone
- Donepezil
- Doxepin
- Doxorubicin
- Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Liposome
- Droperidol
- Edoxaban
- Efavirenz
- Elexacaftor
- Encainide
- Encorafenib
- Enflurane
- Entrectinib
- Eplerenone
- Escitalopram
- Fentanyl
- Fingolimod
- Flecainide
- Fluoxetine
- Formoterol
- Fosaprepitant
- Foscarnet
- Fosnetupitant
- Fostemsavir
- Gatifloxacin
- Gemifloxacin
- Glasdegib
- Gonadorelin
- Goserelin
- Granisetron
- Halofantrine
- Haloperidol
- Halothane
- Histrelin
- Hydrocodone
- Hydroquinidine
- Hydroxychloroquine
- Hydroxyzine
- Ibrutinib
- Ibutilide
- Ifosfamide
- Iloperidone
- Imipramine
- Inotuzumab Ozogamicin
- Isoflurane
- Isradipine
- Ivabradine
- Ivacaftor
- Ivosidenib
- Ketoconazole
- Lapatinib
- Lefamulin
- Lemborexant
- Lenvatinib
- Levofloxacin
- Lidoflazine
- Lofexidine
- Lopinavir
- Lorcainide
- Lumacaftor
- Lumateperone
- Lumefantrine
- Lurasidone
- Lurbinectedin
- Macimorelin
- Mefloquine
- Meperidine
- Methadone
- Metronidazole
- Mifepristone
- Mirtazapine
- Morphine
- Morphine Sulfate Liposome
- Moxifloxacin
- Nafarelin
- Naloxegol
- Neratinib
- Netupitant
- Nilotinib
- Norfloxacin
- Nortriptyline
- Octreotide
- Ofloxacin
- Olaparib
- Ondansetron
- Osilodrostat
- Osimertinib
- Oxaliplatin
- Oxycodone
- Ozanimod
- Paliperidone
- Panobinostat
- Pasireotide
- Pazopanib
- Pemigatinib
- Pentamidine
- Pentazocine
- Pexidartinib
- Pimavanserin
- Pirmenol
- Pitavastatin
- Pitolisant
- Pixantrone
- Ponesimod
- Prajmaline
- Probucol
- Procainamide
- Prochlorperazine
- Promethazine
- Propafenone
- Protriptyline
- Quetiapine
- Quinidine
- Quinine
- Ranolazine
- Relugolix
- Ribociclib
- Rimegepant
- Risperidone
- Selpercatinib
- Selumetinib
- Sematilide
- Sertindole
- Sertraline
- Sevoflurane
- Simeprevir
- Siponimod
- Sodium Phosphate
- Sodium Phosphate, Dibasic
- Sodium Phosphate, Monobasic
- Solifenacin
- Sonidegib
- Sorafenib
- Sotalol
- Spiramycin
- Sufentanil
- Sulfamethoxazole
- Sulpiride
- Sultopride
- Sunitinib
- Tacrolimus
- Tadalafil
- Tazemetostat
- Tedisamil
- Telaprevir
- Telavancin
- Telithromycin
- Tetrabenazine
- Tezacaftor
- Theophylline
- Tolvaptan
- Toremifene
- Tramadol
- Trazodone
- Triclabendazole
- Trifluoperazine
- Trimethoprim
- Trimipramine
- Triptorelin
- Troleandomycin
- Ubrogepant
- Vandetanib
- Vardenafil
- Vemurafenib
- Venetoclax
- Verapamil
- Vinblastine
- Vincristine
- Vincristine Sulfate Liposome
- Vinflunine
- Voclosporin
- Voriconazole
- Warfarin
- Zanubrutinib
- Zolmitriptan
- Zotepine
- Zuclopenthixol
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Anisindione
- Apixaban
- Avanafil
- Bexarotene
- Budesonide
- Buspirone
- Cyclosporine
- Diazepam
- Dicumarol
- Methylprednisolone
- Midazolam
- Phenprocoumon
- Rivaroxaban
- Roflumilast
- Sildenafil
- Sirolimus
- Suvorexant
- Tolterodine
- Triazolam
- Trimetrexate
- Valproic Acid
- Zafirlukast
