Benzamycin is a medication used to treat acne. According to Drugs.com, it is a combination of the drugs erythromycin and benzoyl peroxide. Erythromycin is an antibiotic bacteria that wards off any skin bacteria. Benzoyl peroxide dries your skin and allows oil and dirt to be removed. Benzamycin is available as a topical gel and should be applied to the affected area twice a day.
Frequent Side Effects
According to Drugs.com, you may routinely experience burning, tingling and stinging of your skin. It can also cause itchiness, dryness, redness, irritation and peeling of your skin. This may be a sign that you are applying too much Benzamycin. Apply lesser amounts and call your doctor if your skin symptoms lasts for at least two to three days.
Remove the hair from the medicated part of your face. Benzoyl peroxide may bleach your hair and change its color.
Harmful Side Effects
MedlinePlus warns that Benzamycin cause cause stomach pain or cramping, intense diarrhea, bloody or mucus-contained stools, and facial and nose swelling, though these side effects are rare. It can also cause red bumps to form all over your body (hives), eye or eyelid swelling, eye irritation and a fungal infection of the skin or nails. Call your doctor immediately if you develop these symptoms. She may ask you to discontinue this medication and prescribe another medication to treat your acne.
Other Side Effects
According to the National Library of Medicine, the erythromycin component of Benzamycin can cause a serious bacterial infection of your intestines called pseudomembranous colitis. This is caused by the Clostridium difficile bacteria, and can lead to fever, watery or bloody diarrhea, and intense stomach pain. Typically, your doctor will discontinue Benzamycin and prescribe another antibiotic called metronidazole.
MedlinePlus recommends that you avoid sun exposure. Benzamycin makes your skin sensitive to ultraviolet light and you may burn. Cover up exposed areas and apply sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15.
Warnings
Avoid Benzamycin if you are allergic to erythromycin or benzoyl peroxide. You can experience difficulty breathing, facial swelling and hives. It can also cause lip, tongue and throat swelling. Call 911 if this occurs.
Do not apply Benzamycin to windburned, irritated, dry or chapped skin, says Drugs.com. Doing so can further irritate your skin.
Avoid using sunscreens that contain PABA (para amino benzoic acid). Using Benzamycin and PABA-containing sunscreens can change your skin color, says Drugs.com.
It is unclear whether Benzamycin can affect your baby during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Tell your doctor, as he can evaluate the benefits and risks of continuing Benzamycin.
Drugs.com warns that you should not combine Benzamycin with tretinoin. This can lead to severe skin irritation.
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