Hydrogen peroxide (Topical application)

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Feb 2, 2022.

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Aplicare One Hydrogen Peroxide
• Eskata
• Proxacol

In Canada

• Hydrogen Peroxide

Available Dosage Forms:

• Spray
• Gel/Jelly
• Solution

Therapeutic Class: Disinfectant

Uses for hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is used to treat raised seborrheic keratoses (waxy and scaly, raised areas of skin).

Hydrogen peroxide is to be given only by or under the direct supervision of your doctor.

Before using hydrogen peroxide

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 hydrogen peroxide, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to hydrogen peroxide 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

Eskata™ is not indicated for use in children.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of Eskata™ in the elderly.

Breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

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.

Proper use of hydrogen peroxide

You will receive hydrogen peroxide in a clinic or doctor's office. A nurse or other trained health professional will give you the medicine using an applicator.

Hydrogen peroxide comes with a patient information leaflet. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

Hydrogen peroxide is applied directly on your lesions. Do not get any of the medicine in your eyes, nose, mouth, or ears. Rinse it off right away if it does get on these areas.

Your doctor may want to retreat you with Eskata™ after at least 3 weeks if your skin condition did not completely resolve.

Precautions while using hydrogen peroxide

Your doctor will check your progress closely while you are receiving hydrogen peroxide. This will allow yo...