Benzoyl peroxide/hydrocortisone Side Effects

Please note - some side effects for Benzoyl peroxide/hydrocortisone may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA.

Side Effects of Benzoyl peroxide/hydrocortisone - for the Consumer

Benzoyl peroxide/hydrocortisone Lotion

Applies to: cleanser kit

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Benzoyl peroxide/hydrocortisone Lotion:

Dryness; mild irritation or stinging.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; dizziness; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); acne-like rash; burning, cracking, or itching of the skin; excessive hair growth; extreme dryness; inflamed hair follicles; inflammation around the mouth; irritation, redness, peeling, or tenderness not present before you began using benzoyl peroxide/hydrocortisone lotion; swelling; thinning, softening, or discoloration of the skin.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

Side Effects by Body System - for Healthcare Professionals

Applies to: topical kit; topical lotion

Local

Local side effects are the most common with benzoyl peroxide and have included excessive drying and contact dermatitis.

Local adverse effects of hydrocortisone may include burning, itching, or irritation, dryness, folliculitis, hypertrichosis, acneiform eruptions, hypopigmentation, perioral dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, secondary infection, skin atrophy, striae, and miliaria especially if applied to denuded skin or with occlusive dressings.

Skin on the face, axillae, and groin appear to be most susceptible to the adverse, long-term effects of topical steroids.

Topical corticosteroid use may inhibit local immune response rendering the skin more susceptible to infections. Folliculitis has occasionally been reported.

Perioral dermatitis or rosacea-like dermatitis has occurred in patients treated with potent topical corticosteroids who are of seborrheic skin type. This condition may flare temporarily upon discontinuation of topical steroids, prompting patients to continue their use. If topical corticosteroids are discontinued, this flare and the initial dermatitis generally resolves over a few weeks.

Hypersensitivity

Hypersensitivity reactions have included allergic sensitization in 1% to 5% of patients treated with benzoyl peroxide.

Endocrine

Endocrine side effects of topical corticosteroids are rare. Glucose intolerance and hyperglycemia may be induced by corticosteroids. These drugs can rarely suppress the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. This suppression is more likely when higher potency topical steroids are used over extensive areas and when occlusive dressings are used.

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