Benzoyl peroxide/tretinoin (Topical application)

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 30, 2022.

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Twyneo

Available Dosage Forms:

• Cream

Therapeutic Class: Antiacne

Chemical Class: Retinoid

Uses for benzoyl peroxide/tretinoin

Tretinoin and benzoyl peroxide combination is used to treat acne vulgaris.

Benzoyl peroxide/tretinoin is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before using benzoyl peroxide/tretinoin

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For benzoyl peroxide/tretinoin, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to benzoyl peroxide/tretinoin or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of tretinoin and benzoyl peroxide combination in children 9 years of age and older. However, safety and efficacy have not been established in children younger than 9 years of age.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies on the relationship of age to the effects of tretinoin and benzoyl peroxide combination have not been performed in the geriatric population.

Interactions with medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Interactions with food/tobacco/alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other medical problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of benzoyl peroxide/tretinoin. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Eczema (skin problem) or
• Sunburn—May cause skin irritation in patients with these conditions.

Proper use of benzoyl peroxide/tretinoin

It is very important that you use benzoyl peroxide/tretinoin only as directed. Do not use more of it, do not use it more often, and do not use it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. To do so may cause your skin to be irritated. You may need to use benzoyl peroxide/tretinoin for several weeks or months before your skin starts to look better. Applying extra medicine will not make it work faster.

Benzoyl peroxide/tretinoin comes with a patient information leaflet. Read and follow the instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

Benzoyl peroxide/tretinoi...