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Acnecide Face Wash Spot Treatment with 5% Benzoyl Peroxide 50g

Acnecide Face Wash Spot Treatment with 5% Benzoyl Peroxide 50g

Acnecide

Over-the-counter General Sales List (GSL) topical anti-acne medicinal product
  • UK MHRA Licensed medicinal product: Acnecide Face Wash 5% w/w Gel, PL 10590/0070 (Galderma (U.K.) Limited).
  • Legal classification in the UK: General Sales List (GSL) medicine, available without prescription for suitable patients, as indicated in the SmPC.
  • Pharmacotherapeutic group: Anti Acne preparations, benzoyl peroxide (ATC code D10AE01).
  • Product information (Summary of Product Characteristics and Patient Information Leaflet) authorised and published via the electronic medicines compendium (emc) and MHRA Linked databases.
  • Manufactured by Laboratoires Galderma in France in accordance with EU/UK GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) requirements for medicinal products.
  • Labelling and packaging conform to UK medicines legislation, including display of PL number, batch number, expiry date, storage conditions and safety information.
Topical benzoyl peroxide 5% w/w face wash gel for mild facial acne

Description

Acnecide Face Wash Spot Treatment with 5% Benzoyl Peroxide 50g (Acnecide Face Wash 5% w/w Gel) is a white to off-white smooth gel for topical use on the face for the treatment of mild acne. It contains hydrous benzoyl peroxide equivalent to benzoyl peroxide 5% w/w as the active ingredient, which kills Propionibacterium acnes (Cutibacterium acnes), one of the main bacteria involved in acne. The product is indicated for adults and adolescents aged 12 years and over with mild facial acne where blackheads and whiteheads (comedones) predominate and there are few or no inflamed spots. It is a wash-off, medicated treatment used once or twice daily: the gel is applied to wet facial skin, left in contact for 1–2 minutes, then thoroughly rinsed off and the skin dried. The formulation also includes a microsphere/acrylates copolymer technology that helps absorb excess sebum while releasing glycerol (glycerine) to hydrate and soothe the skin. Acnecide Face Wash is a licensed medicinal product in the UK (GSL), authorised by the MHRA under PL 10590/0070.

Bnefits

  • Licensed medicinal wash-off treatment for mild acne affecting the face in adults and adolescents aged 12 years and over.
  • Contains 5% w/w benzoyl peroxide, an antibacterial, keratolytic and comedolytic agent that kills Propionibacterium acnes, helping to reduce one of the main causes of acne.
  • Indicated where blackheads and whiteheads (comedones) predominate and there are few or no papules and pustules, providing targeted treatment for mild facial acne.
  • Wash-off gel format with 1–2 minutes contact time, suitable for treating larger affected areas of the face and for patients who prefer a rinse-off product.
  • Formulation incorporates microsphere/acrylates copolymer technology to absorb excess oil and help unblock pores, supporting reduction of comedones.
  • Releases glycerol (glycerine) from the formulation to help soothe and hydrate the skin and to reduce dryness associated with benzoyl peroxide.
  • Can be used once or twice daily depending on tolerability; treatment frequency can be adjusted to minimise irritation while maintaining efficacy.
  • General Sales List (GSL) topical medicine in the UK, available without prescription for suitable patients, with full SmPC and Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) support.
  • Low systemic absorption when used as directed; activity is primarily confined to the surface of the skin.
  • Manufactured and marketed by Galderma under MHRA licence with established safety, quality and efficacy documentation.

Indications

  • Topical treatment of mild acne affecting the face in adults and adolescents aged 12 years and over.
  • Mild acne for this product is defined in the SmPC/PIL as acne where comedones (blackheads and whiteheads) predominate, with few or no papules and pustules (acne spots and pimples) and no inflamed spots.
  • Intended for facial use only; not indicated for acne on the chest, shoulders, back or other body sites.
  • Use is restricted to patients with mild facial acne; individuals with moderate or severe acne or with scarring from acne should seek medical advice for alternative treatment.

Composition

  • Active ingredient: Hydrous benzoyl peroxide equivalent to benzoyl peroxide 5% w/w.
  • According to the Patient Information Leaflet (PIL), each 5% w/w gel contains benzoyl peroxide 5% w/w as hydrous benzoyl peroxide in a cleansing gel base.
  • Excipients listed in the PIL: acrylates copolymer, glycerol, carbomer 940, sodium olefin sulfonate, sodium hydroxide (for pH adjustment), purified water.
  • The gel is formulated as a cleansing, wash-off preparation with benzoyl peroxide dispersed in a hydrophilic gel base designed for facial use.

Formulation

  • Pharmaceutical form: Gel.
  • Appearance: White to off-white smooth gel (as described in the SmPC).
  • Strength: 5% w/w benzoyl peroxide (as hydrous benzoyl peroxide).
  • Route of administration: Topical, wash-off application to the skin of the face only.
  • Therapeutic class: Anti-acne preparation containing benzoyl peroxide (ATC code D10AE01).
  • Formulated as a medicated face wash; applied to wet skin, left on for 1–2 minutes, then thoroughly rinsed off and the skin dried.
  • Alcohol-free, fragrance-free formulation according to public product information sources.

Packaging

  • Pack size: 50 g tube (as stated in the PIL: Acnecide Face Wash is available in a 50 g tube).
  • Primary container: White tube (HDPE) with a screw cap (as per SmPC/standard Galderma packaging for this product; exact material specification given in SmPC as a tube and cap suitable for topical gel).
  • Outer packaging: Carton labelled with product name "Acnecide Face Wash 5% w/w Gel", strength (5% w/w), active ingredient (benzoyl peroxide), usage instructions and legal classification (GSL).
  • The tube and carton display the PL number (PL 10590/0070), batch number and expiry date, as required for UK-licensed medicinal products.

Usage

  • For external use only on the skin of the face. Do not swallow.
  • Adults and adolescents aged 12 years and over only; not to be used in children under 12 years.
  • When starting treatment, use once daily on alternate days in the evening before going to bed, to minimise the risk of irritation, unless otherwise advised by a healthcare professional.
  • General recommended regimen (per SmPC/PIL):
  • - Wet the area of the face to be treated.
  • - Wash hands before use.
  • - Place a small amount of Acnecide Face Wash gel onto the hands and gently wash the acne-affected areas of the face, avoiding the eyes, mouth, angles of the nose, lips, neck and other very sensitive or damaged areas of skin.
  • - Allow contact with the skin for 1 to 2 minutes.
  • - Rinse thoroughly with water and gently pat the skin dry.
  • - After use, wash hands thoroughly and replace the cap tightly.
  • If well tolerated after the first 2–3 days of use, the frequency of application can be increased to once or twice daily (morning and evening) as needed and tolerated.
  • If significant redness, burning, stinging, peeling or other irritation occurs, treatment should be reduced in frequency (e.g. once daily or every other day) or temporarily stopped until the skin recovers.
  • Avoid contact with hair, clothing, towels, bed linen and other coloured or dyed materials because benzoyl peroxide can bleach or discolour such materials.
  • Do not use together with other topical benzoyl peroxide products or other topical/systemic anti-acne treatments unless under medical supervision.
  • Patients should avoid excessive sun exposure and sunbeds while using the product; if sun exposure is unavoidable, a suitable sunscreen and protective clothing should be used, and application of the gel should preferably be in the evening.
  • If the product is accidentally swallowed or if severe skin reactions occur, medical advice should be sought promptly.
  • Always read the Patient Information Leaflet before use and follow the directions given by a pharmacist or doctor.

Contraindications

  • Hypersensitivity (allergy) to benzoyl peroxide or to any of the excipients listed in the product literature (e.g. acrylates copolymer, glycerol, carbomer 940, sodium olefin sulfonate, sodium hydroxide, purified water).
  • Do not use in children under 12 years of age (safety and efficacy have not been established in this age group).
  • Do not use on patients with moderate acne (characterised by papules and pustules) or severe acne (characterised by many inflamed spots, nodules or cysts) or on patients with previous scarring from acne on the face; such individuals should consult a pharmacist or doctor for alternative treatment.
  • Do not use on acne lesions affecting other body sites such as shoulders, back or chest; these situations should be assessed by a healthcare professional for appropriate therapy.
  • Do not apply to damaged, broken, eczematous, sunburnt or otherwise compromised skin.
  • Avoid use in patients known to be extremely sensitive to topical benzoyl peroxide or with a history of severe irritant or allergic contact dermatitis to benzoyl peroxide.
  • Use during pregnancy or breastfeeding should only occur under medical supervision; the product should not be applied to the chest in nursing women to avoid accidental exposure of the infant.

Adverse Effects

  • Adverse effects are summarised from the SmPC and PIL for Acnecide Face Wash 5% w/w Gel (PL 10590/0070). Frequencies refer to topical use on the face.
  • Very common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people):
  • - Dry skin.
  • - Skin redness (erythema).
  • - Peeling of the skin (desquamation).
  • - Burning sensation of the skin.
  • Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):
  • - Itching of the skin (pruritus).
  • - Pain of the skin (including stinging).
  • - Skin irritation (irritant contact dermatitis).
  • Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):
  • - Allergic contact dermatitis (redness, inflammation, bumps, dry or cracked skin, or burn-like rash at the application site).
  • Other important adverse effect information from the PIL:
  • - Severe allergic reactions (including urticaria, angioedema with swelling of face, eyes, lips, tongue or mouth, difficulty breathing, fainting) are rare but require immediate discontinuation and urgent medical attention.
  • - Swelling and blistering of the skin can occur; if these symptoms develop, use should be stopped and medical advice sought.
  • - Increased sensitivity to sunlight (photosensitivity) can occur; sunlamps and deliberate/prolonged sun exposure should be avoided while using the product.
  • Most local cutaneous side effects are reversible if treatment is reduced in frequency or temporarily discontinued. If severe irritation, marked redness, intense itching or marked peeling persists despite stopping treatment, a pharmacist or doctor should be consulted.

Storage Conditions

  • Keep out of the sight and reach of children.
  • Do not store above 25°C (as stated in the PIL).
  • Do not use after the expiry date printed on the tube and carton; the expiry date refers to the last day of the stated month.
  • Store in the original tube and outer carton to protect the product and ensure correct labelling is retained.
  • Do not freeze. Protect from excessive heat and direct sunlight.
  • Do not dispose of via wastewater or household waste; unused or expired product should be returned to a pharmacy for safe disposal, in accordance with the PIL guidance.

Duration

The duration of treatment with Acnecide Face Wash depends on the severity of the acne and the individual response. The PIL advises that how long the product should be used will depend on how quickly the condition improves. If the acne worsens during use or does not improve within 12 weeks, the user should consult a pharmacist or doctor, as undertreatment of some forms of acne may lead to scarring and alternative therapy may be needed. If effective and well tolerated, treatment may be continued as part of an ongoing regimen for mild facial acne, with periodic review by a healthcare professional.

Onset

According to UK pharmacy patient information sources, improvement in acne with benzoyl peroxide face washes such as Acnecide Face Wash typically becomes noticeable after around 4 weeks of regular use, although individual response times may vary. Users are advised to continue consistent use over several weeks and to seek advice if there is no improvement after 12 weeks.

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