Aktipak

What Is Aktipak?

Aktipak (erythromycin 3%-benzoyl peroxide 5% topical gel) is a combination of a macrolide antibiotic and an oxidizing agent with antibacterial properties indicated for the topical treatment of acne vulgaris.

What Are Side Effects of Aktipak?

Common side effects of Aktipak include:

• dry skin,
• application site reactions (stinging, redness, and burning),
• swollen or puffy eyelids,
• itching,
• photosensitivity reactions (sunburn, stinging with sun exposure), and
• peeling.

Dosage for Aktipak

Aktipak requires thorough mixing by the patient immediately prior to each use. Aktipak should be applied twice daily, morning and evening, or as directed by a physician, to affected areas after the skin is thoroughly washed, rinsed with warm water and gently patted dry.

What Drugs, Substances, or Supplements Interact with Aktipak?

Aktipak may interact with other drugs. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.

Aktipak During Pregnancy or Breastfeeding

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant before using Aktipak; it is unknown if it would affect a fetus. It is unknown if topical Aktipak passes into breast milk, however, oral erythromycin passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Additional Information

Our Aktipak (erythromycin 3%-benzoyl peroxide 5% topical gel) Side Effects Drug Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information on the potential side effects when taking this medication.

 

Aktipak Consumer Information

Benzoyl peroxide can cause a rare but serious allergic reaction or severe skin irritation. These reactions may occur just a few minutes after you apply the medicine, or within a day or longer afterward.

Stop using this medicine and get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives, itching; difficult breathing, feeling light-headed; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have:

• severe redness, burning, stinging, or peeling of treated skin areas; or
• diarrhea that is watery or bloody.

Common side effects may include:

• mild burning or stinging;
• itching or tingly feeling;
• dryness or peeling of treated skin; or
• redness or other irritation.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Read the entire detailed patient monograph for Aktipak (Erythromycin 3%-Benzoyl Peroxide 5% Topical Gel)

 

Aktipak Professional Information

SIDE EFFECTS

During clinical trials, 550 acne patients were studied. Of these patients, 236 were treated with Aktipak. The most frequently reported adverse event considered at least possibly related was dry skin (7.6%) as compared to Vehicle (3.9%). Application site reactions (stinging, burning sensation, tingling, erythema) were reported in 2.5% of patients versus 1.3% of Vehicle patients. Blepharitis, pruritus and photosensitivity reactions were reported in < 2% of patients who used the dual pouch product.

Treatment Groups Summaries Number of Patients (%)

COSTART Term	Aktipak N = 236	Aktipak Vehicle N = 153	Benzamycin Topical Gel N = 121	Benzamycin Topical Gel Vehicle N = 40
Dry Skin	18 (7.6%)	6 (3.9%)	5 (5.0%)	0
APPLICATION SITE REACTION (stinging,erythema, and burning	6 (2.5%)	2 (1.3%)	1 (0.8%)	0
BLEPHARITIS	4 (1.7%)	1 (0.7%)	0	1 (2.5%)
PRURITUS	4 (1.7%)	2 (1.3%)	3 (2.5%)	0
PHOTOSENSITIVITY REACTION (Sunburn, stinging with sun exposure)	3 (1.3%)	0	0	0
PEELING	1 (0.5%)	1 (0.7%)	0	0

Read the entire FDA prescribing information for Aktipak (Erythromycin 3%-Benzoyl Peroxide 5% Topical Gel)