Comprehensive medication guide to Benzamycin including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
$0–$30 copay for generic erythromycin/benzoyl peroxide gel on most insurance plans; typically Tier 1–2 coverage; brand Benzamycin is Tier 3 and may require prior authorization or step therapy.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$132–$491 retail for brand Benzamycin (46.6g jar); generic erythromycin/benzoyl peroxide gel as low as $31 with a GoodRx coupon or $50 with SingleCare for a 46.6g jar; as low as $14.25 for the 23.3g jar with SaveHealth.
Medfinder Findability Score
78/100
Summarize with AI
On this page
Benzamycin is a prescription topical gel used to treat acne vulgaris. It contains two active ingredients: erythromycin (3%), a macrolide antibiotic, and benzoyl peroxide (5%), an antibacterial and keratolytic agent. Together, they reduce acne-causing bacteria on the skin and help clear pores.
Benzamycin is manufactured by Bausch Health US, LLC. A generic version — erythromycin/benzoyl peroxide 3%/5% topical gel — is also available from manufacturers including Rising Pharmaceuticals. It is available in a 23.3g jar and a 46.6g jar, as well as individual Benzamycin Pak unit-dose packets.
Benzamycin is not a controlled substance and can be prescribed by dermatologists, primary care physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, pediatricians (for patients 12+), and via telehealth platforms in all 50 states.
We have a 99% success rate finding medications, even during nationwide shortages.
Need this medication?
Benzamycin fights acne through two complementary mechanisms. Erythromycin inhibits bacterial protein synthesis by reversibly binding to the 50S ribosomal subunit of Cutibacterium acnes (formerly Propionibacterium acnes), preventing the bacteria from producing the proteins they need to survive and multiply. This reduces the bacterial load in sebaceous follicles and decreases the inflammatory response that causes pimples.
Benzoyl peroxide kills C. acnes by releasing active oxygen — the bacterium is an anaerobe and cannot survive in an oxygen-rich environment. Additionally, benzoyl peroxide has a keratolytic effect (speeds skin cell turnover to unclog pores) and reduces skin oiliness (sebum). This dual mechanism makes the combination more effective and more durable than either ingredient alone, as benzoyl peroxide helps prevent antibiotic resistance to erythromycin.
erythromycin 3% / benzoyl peroxide 5% — topical gel
Apply a thin layer twice daily (morning and evening) to clean, dry affected areas. Refrigerate after reconstitution; discard after 3 months.
erythromycin 3% / benzoyl peroxide 5% — Benzamycin Pak (unit-dose packets, 0.8g each)
Single-use packets; do not require refrigeration. Apply twice daily as directed.
Benzamycin is not in an official FDA shortage as of early 2026, but it can be challenging to find at local pharmacies. The gel requires pharmacist reconstitution and refrigerated storage after mixing, with a 3-month expiration — requirements that discourage many chain pharmacies from keeping routine stock. Its declining prescribing volume (as clindamycin-based alternatives have become more common) further reduces stocking frequency.
Independent pharmacies typically have better Benzamycin availability and can often special-order it within 1–3 business days. The generic erythromycin/benzoyl peroxide gel is generally more accessible than the brand-name product.
The fastest way to find Benzamycin is to use medfinder, which calls pharmacies near you to check stock and texts you the results.
Because Benzamycin is not a controlled substance, it can be prescribed by any licensed healthcare provider with prescribing authority — no DEA number or special certification is required. Benzamycin is appropriate for patients aged 12 and older; safety and efficacy have not been established in younger children.
Benzamycin can be prescribed via telehealth in all 50 states. Many dermatology-focused telehealth platforms (Curology, Hims/Hers, Ro Derm) and general telehealth services (Teladoc, MDLive) offer same-day or next-day appointments and can send a prescription electronically to your pharmacy.
No. Benzamycin is not a controlled substance and has no DEA scheduling. It is a topical prescription medication classified as an acne combination product. Because it is not scheduled, Benzamycin can be prescribed with standard prescription practices — no DEA number required, no federal quantity limits, no restrictions on early refills, and it can be sent electronically to pharmacies in all 50 states.
Benzamycin's non-controlled status also means it can be prescribed via telehealth platforms without restriction, making it accessible to patients who do not have easy access to in-person dermatology care.
In controlled clinical trials, the incidence of adverse reactions was approximately 3%. Common side effects include:
Know what you need? Skip the search.
Clindamycin/Benzoyl Peroxide (BenzaClin, Acanya, Onexton)
Closest alternative; same dual-mechanism approach but uses clindamycin instead of erythromycin; more widely stocked; slightly lower resistance risk per AAD guidelines
Adapalene/Benzoyl Peroxide (Epiduo, Epiduo Forte)
Non-antibiotic combination; retinoid + BPO; no antibiotic resistance concern; Epiduo 0.1%/2.5% is now OTC; best for mixed comedonal-inflammatory acne
Dapsone Gel (Aczone)
Topical antibiotic with anti-inflammatory properties; especially effective for adult female inflammatory acne; once-daily 7.5% formulation available
Tretinoin (Retin-A, Altreno)
Retinoid; most effective for comedonal acne; often combined with an antibacterial agent for mixed presentations; long safety track record
Prefer Benzamycin? We can find it.
Topical clindamycin (Cleocin-T, Clindagel, BenzaClin, Acanya)
moderateIn vitro antagonism demonstrated between erythromycin and clindamycin; concurrent use reduces efficacy of both. Avoid using simultaneously.
Lincomycin
moderateIn vitro antagonism with erythromycin documented. Avoid concurrent topical use.
Tretinoin / adapalene (topical retinoids)
minorAdditive skin irritation when used on the same area simultaneously. Alternate applications (morning/evening) recommended to minimize irritation.
Other topical acne products (benzoyl peroxide OTC, salicylic acid)
minorAdditive dryness and irritation when combined with Benzamycin. Use only under prescriber guidance.
Oral macrolide antibiotics (azithromycin, clarithromycin)
minorUsing topical erythromycin simultaneously with oral macrolides may create redundancy and increase resistance pressure. Discuss with prescriber.
Benzamycin is a well-established, effective topical treatment for acne vulgaris, combining the antibacterial power of erythromycin with the dual antibacterial and skin-clearing properties of benzoyl peroxide. Its unique cold-chain storage requirement (refrigeration after reconstitution) and declining prescribing volume relative to newer alternatives mean it can be harder to find than most acne medications — but it remains an active, commercially available product in both brand and generic forms.
For patients who have responded well to Benzamycin, it's worth the effort to find it. Generic erythromycin/benzoyl peroxide gel is therapeutically equivalent and dramatically cheaper — as little as $31 with a GoodRx coupon. Independent pharmacies are the best first stop for availability.
If you're having trouble locating Benzamycin, medfinder can find pharmacies near you with it in stock, so you don't have to spend hours calling around.
Medfinder Editorial Standards
Our medication guides are researched and written to help patients make informed decisions. All content is reviewed for accuracy and updated regularly. Learn more about our standards
ChatGPT
Claude
Perplexity
Grok
Gemini