The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 279 No 7460 p48-53
14 July 2007

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The role of benzoyl peroxide in the management of acne vulgaris

Benzoyl peroxide is a common ingredient in over-the-counter preparations for acne but its side effects mean patients may reject it. In this article, Rod Tucker and Shernaz Walton review the evidence for its effectiveness and provide tips for pharmacists to help patients get the most from it

SUMMARY

Acne vulgaris is an extremely common and distressing condition that affects over 90 per cent of adolescents between the age of 16 and 18 years. Of these, approximately 15 per cent require medical intervention.

Furthermore, research has shown that acne has a negative impact on patients’ quality of life that is comparable to that caused by conditions such as asthma and epilepsy. Although predominately a teenage problem, acne can and does persist into adult life and still affects roughly 1 per cent of women and 5 per cent of men at the age of 40 years.

There is a wide range of over-the-counter products available to treat acne. In many of these preparations, benzoyl peroxide is a common ingredient. Unfortunately, benzoyl peroxide-based products are often rejected by patients after a few days’ use, once their skin starts to flake or become inflamed. These side effects are so common that patients who claim not to experience them are likely to be non-compliant.

Compliance is further reduced by the bleaching effects on clothing, towels and bed-linen. Nevertheless, providing patients with adequate advice and information about these side effects and how to minimise them usually results in greater perseverance with treatment and ultimately an improvement in their acne.

This article reviews the evidence for the benefits of benzoyl peroxide and provides useful advice and tips for pharmacists to convey to patients using such products to ensure that they derive maximum benefit from it.

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