Active Ingredient: benzoyl peroxide
Consumer Medicine Information
What is in this leaflet?
This leaflet answers some common questions about PanOxyl Acnegel. It does not contain all the available information.
It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
If you have any concerns about this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Keep this leaflet with your medicine. You may need to read it again.
What is PanOxyl Acnegel and what is it used for?
PanOxyl Acnegel contains benzoyl peroxide, an antibacterial and mild peeling agent.
PanOxyl Acnegel is used to treat acne or pimples. It helps to:
- Reduce the bacteria or germs which are implicated in acne;
- Reduce the number of acne spots or pimples;
- Stop new blackheads, whiteheads and spots from forming; and
- Makes your skin less oily.
Your doctor or pharmacist may have recommended PanOxyl Acnegel for another purpose. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about why PanOxyl Acnegel has been recommended for you.
PanOxyl Acnegel is not addictive.
PanOxyl Acnegel is only available from your pharmacy.
Before you use PanOxyl Acnegel
When you must not use it
Do not use PanOxyl Acnegel if:
- You have an allergy to PanOxyl Acnegel or any of the ingredients in PanOxyl Acnegel listed at the end of this leaflet.
- You have a known sensitivity to benzoyl peroxide.
- The packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.
- The expiry date (EXP) printed on the pack has passed.
If you use this medicine after the expiry date has passed, it may not work as well.
If you are not sure whether you should start using PanOxyl Acnegel, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Before you start to use it
Keep PanOxyl Acnegel away from lips, eyes and mouth and be careful not to use too much on your neck or sensitive areas of the skin.
Using other medicines
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are using other creams, ointments or lotions or taking any other medicine. This includes any that you buy without a prescription from a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
These include:
- Abrasives
- Products containing alcohol
- Chemical peels
These medicines may affect how well PanOxyl Acnegel works or may increase any side effects, such as irritation or drying.
You may need to use different amounts of your medicine, or you made need to use different medicines. Your doctor or pharmacist will advise you.
Your doctor and pharmacist may have more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while using PanOxyl Acnegel.
How to use PanOxyl Acnegel
PanOxyl Acnegel is for external use only.
Follow all directions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist carefully.
These direction may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.
If you do not understand the instructions on the box, tube or this leaflet, ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.
PanOxyl Acnegel comes in topical gels containing 2.5%, 5% and 10% benzoyl peroxide. Availability of strengths varies from country to country.
Treatment should normally begin with the lowest strength unless otherwise advised by your doctor or pharmacist.
If you use makeup, remove it thoroughly before applying PanOxyl Acnegel. After the gel has dried, you can use non-greasy makeup.
Gently wash your skin with soap and water.
Apply a small amount of the gel with your fingertips to all the area of your skin, which has acne, not just individual spots or pimples. If it does not rub into the skin easily, you are using too much.
Wash your hands after using PanOxyl Acnegel.
It is important to use PanOxyl Acnegel according to these directions or exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you.
If you use it less often than you should, it may not work as well and your acne may not improve. Using it more often than you should may not improve your acne any faster and may cause or increase side effects.
Use PanOxyl Acnegel at the same time every day.
The reaction of the skin to benzoyl peroxide differs in individual patients. The higher concentration in PanOxyl Acnegel 10 may be required to produce a satisfactory response.
How long should you use it for
It can take a few weeks before you see the full effects of PanOxyl Acnegel on your acne. This is normal for acne treatments. You should continue treatment for at least 3 months unless your doctor or pharmacist tells you otherwise.
Do not use PanOxyl Acnegel for longer than your doctor or pharmacist tells you.
If you use PanOxyl Acnegel for longer than your doctor or pharmacist tells you, the chance of side effects may increase.
If you are not sure of how long you need to use PanOxyl Acnegel, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
If you forget to use it
If it is almost time for your next application of PanOxyl Acnegel, skip the application you missed and apply the gel when you are next meant to. Otherwise, use it as soon as you remember, and then go back to using your gel as you would normally.
Do not use a double dose to make up for the dose you missed.
If you have trouble remembering to use your medicine, ask your pharmacist for some hints.
If you swallow it
Immediately telephone your doctor or Poisons Information Centre (In Australia 13 11 26; In New Zealand 0800 POISON or 0800 764 766), or go to casualty at your nearest hospital if you think that you or anyone else may have swallowed PanOxyl Acnegel. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. You may need urgent medical attention. Keep this telephone number handy.
While you are using PanOxyl Acnegel
Things you must do
Tell your doctor(s) who is treating you that you are using PanOxyl Acnegel.
If you feel that PanOxyl Acnegel is not helping your condition, tell your doctor or pharmacist.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if, for any reason, you have not used PanOxyl Acnegel exactly as recommended. Otherwise, your doctor or pharmacist may think that it was not effective and change your treatment unnecessarily.
Things you must not do
Do not give PanOxyl Acnegel to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as yours.
Things to be careful of
Avoid excessive exposure to sunlight and other sources of ultra violet light. Avoid using at high altitudes or where the ground is snow-covered.
PanOxyl Acnegel can bleach coloured fabrics, such as clothing, towels and bed linen. Be careful to avoid contact of PanOxyl Acnegel with these materials.
Side Effects
PanOxyl Acnegel may cause slight stinging and make your skin feel warm, especially when it is first applied. You may also notice moderate redness and peeling of your skin during the first few weeks of use. These effects are normal; if they bother you, try using the product less often for a while, or stop using PanOxyl Acnegel and consult your doctor.
If you suffer severe burning, peeling or itching or other unwanted effects, stop using PanOxyl Acnegel and consult your doctor.
After using PanOxyl Acnegel
Storage
Keep PanOxyl Acnegel in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C.
Do not store PanOxyl Acnegel or any other medicine in the bathroom or near a sink.
Do not leave it in the car or on windowsills. Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.
Keep PanOxyl Acnegel where young children cannot reach it. A locked cupboard at least one and a half metres above the ground Is a good place to store medicines.
Disposal
If your doctor or pharmacist tells you to stop using PanOxyl Acnegel or it has passed its expiry date, ask your pharmacist what to do with any that is left over.
Product Description
What it looks like
PanOxyl Acnegel is a smooth, nongreasy white gel, which is available in a 40 gram tube in a carton.
Ingredients
The active ingredient in PanOxyl Acnegel is:
- Benzoyl peroxide 2.5% w/w in PanOxyl Acnegel 2.5;
- Benzoyl peroxide 5% w/w in PanOxyl Acnegel 5; and
- Benzoyl peroxide 10% w/w in PanOxyl Acnegel 10.
PanOxyl Acnegel 2.5 also contains the following inactive ingredients:
- carbomer
- triethanolamine
- propylene glycol
- sodium lauryl sulfate
- acetone
- water-purified
PanOxyl Acnegel 5 and 10 also contains the following inactive ingredients:
- magnesium aluminium silicate
- hydroxypropylmethylcellulose
- polyoxyethylene lauryl ether
- ethanol
- citric acid
- fragrance 6565A
- purified water
Supplier
PanOxyl Acnegel is supplied in Australia by:
Stiefel Laboratories Pty Ltd
Unit 2, 10 Salisbury Road
Castle Hills NSW 2154
Phone: (02) 9894 5088
Fax: (02) 9894 5016
Toll Free Number: 1800 251 075
PanOxyl Acnegel is distributed in New Zealand by:
David Sparks Ltd.
4 Tolich Place, Henderson, Auckland
PO Box 83-122, Edmonton, Auckland
Phone: (09) 835 3919
Australian Registration Number:
PanOxyl Acnegel 5: AUST R 14824
PanOxyl Acnegel 10: AUST R 14823
Date of preparation: February 2003.
Version 1.0
Published by MIMS May 2011