Stronger Benzoyl Peroxide Treatment May Increase Risks And Skin Damage

SkinMedica, Inc., a specialty pharmaceutical company developing and marketing dermatology products, today announced the launch of NeoBenz(TM) Micro, the only benzoyl peroxide prescription product formulated with Microsponge(R) Delivery Technology for the treatment of mild to moderate acne vulgaris. The unique formulation allows for a gradual release of benzoyl peroxide over time, effectively treating acne with very low irritation. NeoBenz Micro is available in three prescription strengths: 3.5%, 5.5% and 8.5% cream.

"NeoBenz Micro is the only prescription benzoyl peroxide product to harness the benefits of Microsponge Delivery Technology. This enables physicians to prescribe a benzoyl peroxide with a very low incidence of the irritation that is commonly associated with this class of treatment," said Ronald Trancik, Ph.D., Vice President of Research & Development at SkinMedica. "Low irritation may increase patient compliance and the overall therapeutic effect, making this an important addition to the physician's armamentarium against acne."

Although used elsewhere in medicine and cosmetics, NeoBenz Micro is the only prescription product in which the Microsponge Delivery Technology has been used with benzoyl peroxide, a proven antibacterial acne-fighter. Benzoyl peroxide, entrapped in Microsponges, is gradually released into the skin throughout the day. This gradual, more controlled release is designed to reduce irritation to the skin while the active agent fights existing acne and helps to prevent new pimples from forming.

In a multi-center, randomized clinical study of 48 patients, NeoBenz Micro was shown to produce a statistically significant reduction from baseline in total, inflammatory, and non-inflammatory lesion counts (-30%, -40%, and -22%, respectively) after 4 weeks (all p less than 0.05). Marked improvement was noted with continual use through 12 weeks.

"In our clinical study, NeoBenz Micro showed rapid and statistically significant improvement in acne severity grades," said Dr. Stacy Smith, lead investigator of the study. "Furthermore, NeoBenz Micro demonstrated an excellent tolerability profile with very low incidence of irritation."

In 2004, more than 5.7 million US patients were diagnosed with acne vulgaris; of these, about half (51%) were diagnosed by dermatologists, representing the number one most frequent diagnosis and most prescribed-for disease within this medical specialty. NeoBenz Micro helps to stop acne and prevent new acne from forming via a multi-pronged approach. The active ingredient, benzoyl peroxide, is released gradually throughout the day to kill the p. acnes bacteria, reduce inflammation, open plugged hair follicles and slow formation of whiteheads, blackheads and inflamed pimples.

According to Dr. Smith, NeoBenz Micro can also be used in combination therapy, i.e. with topical retinoids or antibiotics, to help increase overall efficacy of treatment and shorten treatment duration. This new cream may also help prevent antibiotic resistance when used with antibiotic treatments.

As with all benzoyl peroxide products, NeoBenz Micro should not be used in patients who have shown hypersensitivity to benzoyl peroxide or to any of the other ingredients. Allergic contact dermatitis and dryness have been reported with topical benzoyl peroxide therapy.