The Side Effects of Panoxyl

Panoxyl, a popular form of the benzoyl peroxide medication, is used to treat acne. It creates an antibacterial effect on the skin and has a drying affect that allows pore-blocking material such as excess oil, dirt and makeup to be washed away easily from skin.

Severe Side Effects

Serious side effects to Panoxyl include an allergic reaction that will result in a rash or hives, swelling of the face, lips, throat and/or tongue as well as difficulty breathing. Serious side effects may also include severe burning and stinging of the skin as well as excess crusting and blistering of the skin.

Mild Side Effects

Common, less severe side effects include mild tingling, itching, burning and stinging sensations of the skin. Your skin may also appear to have increased redness in the areas of treatment. Irritation, dryness and/or peeling of the skin also typically occur upon initial use of the medication but subside within three weeks. Mild side effects are generally remedied by reducing the dosage and time intervals of application.

Long Term Side Effects

Panoxyl and benzoyl peroxide are popular treatments for teens, but those that continue using the medication into adulthood and for long periods of time may face side effects yet to be determined. The FDA has classified Panoxyl and other benzoyl peroxide products as a Category III product because they have yet to determine if the product causes harmful effects if used long term. As with any medication that has long term side effects that are yet to be determined, use your own discretion as well as the advice of your doctor before prolonged use.

Considerations

If you are pregnant, consult with your doctor before using Panyoxyl or any other product that contains benzoyl peroxide. Panoxyl is a category C medication and it is unknown if it causes any harm to an unborn baby or if it is passed through milk during breastfeeding.

Misconceptions

Panoxyl will not provide immediate results and instead may take up to six weeks to show effects. Your skin may take three weeks to adjust to the medication's side effects such as redness, drying and peeling. Your acne may seem to get worse before it gets better with the use of Panoxyl, and if improvement is not obvious by six weeks, consult your doctor for further treatment.

Warning

Do not use additional skin products on the areas that you treat with Panoxyl without consulting your doctor. Skin products that contain salicylic acid, tretinoin, sulfur, resorcinol, large amounts of alcohol or are abrasive and too drying can cause mild to severe skin irritation. Avoid allowing Panoxyl to come in contact with your clothing, bedding material and hair to prevent bleaching and discoloration.

References

• Panoxyl
• Benzoyl Peroxide