benzoyl peroxide
Brand names: Benzac, PanOxyl
Benzoyl peroxide is a topical medicine that fights germs on your skin. It helps to clear up acne.
Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Generic Price
$0.16/unit
Generic Available
Yes (0 manufacturers)
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
This medicine treats acne.
Common side effects
Dry skin, Acne, Skin irritation
Key warnings
If you develop a serious allergic reaction (hypersensitivity) such as swelling of the face, eyes, or difficulty breathing, stop using this product and seek immediate medical attention.
How It Works
Benzoyl peroxide is an antimicrobial. This means it helps to kill germs on your skin that can cause acne. This reduces inflammation and clears pores.
How to Take It
Pump a small amount of the cleanser into your wet hands. Gently rub it on your face and neck in circles. Then, rinse your face well with water and pat it dry.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
It is not known if benzoyl peroxide can harm an unborn baby. Talk to your doctor before using this medicine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Missed Dose
Use it as soon as you remember. If it is close to your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule.
Storage
Store at room temperature, away from heat and direct light.
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 10,024 FDA adverse event reports.
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 6,624 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2004–2025.
Total Reports
6,624
Death-Related Reports
51
Hospitalization Reports
370
Top Indication
Acne
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | DRUG INEFFECTIVE | 1,884 |
| 2 | DRY SKIN | 1,504 |
| 3 | ACNE | 1,471 |
| 4 | ERYTHEMA | 1,155 |
| 5 | SKIN BURNING SENSATION | 974 |
| 6 | SKIN IRRITATION | 866 |
| 7 | INAPPROPRIATE SCHEDULE OF PRODUCT ADMINISTRATION | 624 |
| 8 | SKIN EXFOLIATION | 561 |
| 9 | PRURITUS | 495 |
| 10 | OVERDOSE | 490 |
| 11 | RASH | 472 |
| 12 | HYPERSENSITIVITY | 321 |
| 13 | PAIN OF SKIN | 320 |
| 14 | SWELLING FACE | 264 |
| 15 | UNDERDOSE | 198 |
Reactions in Death Reports
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation
Serious Warnings
If you develop a serious allergic reaction (hypersensitivity) such as swelling of the face, eyes, or difficulty breathing, stop using this product and seek immediate medical attention.
Known Drug Interactions
No formal drug-drug interaction studies were conducted with adapalene and benzoyl peroxide gel 0.1% / 2.5%.
Mechanism: There are no known studies showing that these two skin treatments interfere with each other.
What to do: You can use these two products together safely as part of your skin care routine.
Topical benzoyl peroxide used at the same time as ACZONE Gel, 7.5% may result in temporary local yellow or orange skin discoloration ( 7.2 ). 7.2 Topical Benzoyl Peroxide Topical application of dapsone gel followed by benzoyl peroxide in patients with acne vulgaris may result in a temporary local yellow or orange discoloration of the skin and facial hair.
Mechanism: These two skin treatments can react with each other on your skin to cause a temporary yellow or orange stain.
What to do: You can prevent skin and hair staining by applying these products at different times of the day or washing your skin between applications.
Common Questions
Can I use this all over my body?
How long will it take to see results?
Can I use other acne treatments with this?
What should I do if my skin gets too dry?
Can I use this if I have sensitive skin?
Will this bleach my clothes?
Can I go in the sun after using this?
What do I do if I get it in my eyes?
Is it okay to use if my skin is peeling?
How often should I use this?
What are the common side effects of benzoyl peroxide?
Does benzoyl peroxide interact with other medications?
What drug class is benzoyl peroxide?
Is benzoyl peroxide safe during pregnancy?
Has benzoyl peroxide been recalled?
Active Recalls
CGMP Deviations
CA BOTANA International, Inc.
Chemical Contamination: This recall has been initiated due to elevated levels of benzene that was discovered during post consume awareness with benzoyl peroxide products.
Private Label Skin Care Inc.
Chemical Contamination: This recall has been initiated due to elevated levels of benzene that was discovered during post consume awareness with benzoyl peroxide products.
Private Label Skin Care Inc.
Chemical contamination: presence of benzene
Fruit Of The Earth, Inc.
cGMP Deviations: The recall was initiated due to detected trace levels of benzene in a specific lot of this product lot (MYX46W), however out of an abundance of caution, the firm voluntarily recalled all La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Dual Action Acne Treatment lots.
L'Oreal USA
Chemical Contamination: Presence of benzene.
Denison Pharmaceuticals, LLC
Related Medications in Antimicrobial (Topical)
Other drugs grouped near benzoyl peroxide — same-class peers and common alternatives.
adapalene
Differin
Adapalene and benzoyl peroxide gel is a medicine used on the skin to treat acne.
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betamethasone
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What the FDA Data Shows for benzoyl peroxide
The FDA label for benzoyl peroxide (sold under brand names such as Benzac, PanOxyl) classifies it as an over-the-counter product in the Antimicrobial (Topical) class. This medicine treats acne. Official labeling lists 6 commonly reported side effects, including Dry skin, Acne, Skin irritation.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 10,024 voluntary reports. The database also lists 2 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated minor severity. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $0.16.
Report counts do not establish causation — a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history (currently 6 recall records on file), and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: June 11, 2024
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book — approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed — NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) — post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm — standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files — federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database — current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages