BENZAMYCIN ----------------------------------------------------- Benzamycin is being launched in Canada next month. Is it useful? How well tolerated is it? What is it best for? How much better is it than benzoyl peroxide or Retin-A, or topical erythromycin? Thanks, KC Smith MD FRCPC ----------------- Benzamycin (IMO) is an expensive way to apply erytho and benzoyl peroxide topicals. It's efficacy is no better than the two in my hands. It would be a nice convenience if it did not have to be refrigerated. I do not know very many people who can conveniently go to the fridge twice a day to treat their acne. Nonetheless, I have some patients that are on it and prefer it. Bill Liss --------- I think it's better in many cases than either product alone: certainly superior to topical erythro, which I find vanishingly effective in many cases. Jim Leyden has suggested that the BPO enhances the erythro absorption as a part of the explanation. Mark Ling, M.D., Ph.D. ---------------------- I think Benzamycin is great. The combination seems to work much better than either BP or erythro alone. In my experience, Benzamycin in the AM or bid, then retin A at night is the best topical combination for acne vulgaris, especially in teenagers and others with oily faces. It's also useful in inflammatory acne as a single agent. The major disadvantages are its drying effect, and the inconvenience of having to keep it in the fridge (although supposedly its activity will last about 1 month at rm temp). I have absolutely no conflict of interest regarding the above statements. I own no stock, receive no consulting fees, etc... from Dermik. George Cotsarelis, M.D. ----------------------- I love the stuff, and have been using it for years: it works infinitely better then topical erythromycins or Cleocin (which I regard as placebo therapy). I also think the fact that the combination product prevents or reverses bacterial resistance is a great plus. Robert I. Rudolph, M.D. ----------------------- Yes. Its a bit faster than other topicals, can be used with retinA, does not generate resistant P. acnes(if this really is important, I'm not sure) and patients like it. I use it a lot. I don't take the refrigeration issue seriously. If they use it twice daily they'll use it up before it loses its zip. Guy Webster ----------- Especially when combined with Retin-A. Yelva Lynfield -------------- Benzamycin is an effective threapy in my office for acne,papular variety but many patients don't keep it in the refrigerator and many skimp on its use making it last long enough for it to lose some of its potency--I have gotten good results using T-Stat pads with a BP applied on top and blended into the pad and applied bid--try it W H Burrow ---------- Guy Webster's point about refrigerations fits with what the drug rep told mem - the stuff is good for a month without refrigeration, and if they are using the right amount it should run out in a month. KC Smith MD FRCPC ----------------- In dry climates Benzamycin is not tolerated so well. I do have satisfied patients but tell them to use it carefully. Refrigeration is not convenient. Summary: a useful adjunct. Use cautiously. Barbara R. Reed, MD -------------------- I was told the Benzamycin loses its erythromycin component efficacy by 25% after the first 2 weeks if unrefrigerated, and and additional 25% each week thereafter. I belive it was a drug rep that told me that. William Liss ------------