In the U.S.—

• Antiacne agent, topical
• Cleansing agent, astringent
• Cleansing agent, defatting

Alcohol and acetone (AL-koe-hol and A-se-tone) combination is used to clean oily or greasy skin associated with acne or other oily skin conditions.

This medicine is available without a prescription; however, your doctor may have special instructions on the proper use of this medicine for your medical condition.

Alcohol and acetone combination is available in the following dosage forms:

Topical
• Detergent lotion (U.S.)
• Pledgets (U.S.)

If you are using this medicine without a prescription, carefully read and follow any precautions on the label. For alcohol and acetone combination, the following should be considered:

Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to alcohol or acetone. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as preservatives or dyes.

Pregnancy—Topical alcohol and acetone combination has not been shown to cause birth defects or other problems in humans.

Breast-feeding—Topical alcohol and acetone combination has not been reported to cause problems in nursing babies.

Children—This medicine should not be used on children up to 8 years of age. In older children, although there is no specific information comparing use of alcohol and acetone with use in other age groups, this medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in older children than it does in adults.

Older adults—Many medicines have not been tested in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults. Although there is no specific information comparing use of alcohol and acetone in the elderly with use in other age groups, this medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.

Other medicines—Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care professional if you are using any other topical prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine that is to be applied to the same area of the skin.

• Burns or wounds—Alcohol and acetone combination may cause severe irritation if applied to burns or wounds.

Keep this medicine away from the eyes, the inside of the nose, and the lips .

This medicine is flammable. Do not use near heat, near open flame, or while smoking.

To use the lotion form of this medicine:

• Put a small amount of this medicine on a gauze pad or cotton ball and apply by wiping or rubbing over the face and other affected areas to remove dirt and surface oil.

To use the pledget form of this medicine:

• Apply by wiping or rubbing over the face and other affected areas to remove dirt and surface oil.

After applying this medicine, do not rinse the affected areas with water, since this will remove the medicine.

Dosing—

The dose of topical alcohol and acetone combination will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average dose of topical alcohol and acetone combination. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

• For topical dosage forms (detergent lotion or pledgets):
  • For acne or oily skin:
    • Adults and children 8 years of age and older—Apply to the affected area(s) of the skin two to four times a day as needed.
    • Children up to 8 years of age—Use is not recommended.

Missed dose—

If you are using this medicine on a regular schedule and you miss a dose, apply it as soon as possible. Then go back to your regular dosing schedule.

Storage—

To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Keep the lotion form of this medicine from freezing.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.

When using alcohol and acetone combination, do not use any of the following preparations on the same affected area, unless otherwise directed by your doctor:

• Abrasive soaps or cleaners
• Any other topical acne preparation or preparation containing a peeling agent (for example, benzoyl peroxide, resorcinol, salicylic acid, sulfur, or tretinoin [vitamin A acid])
• Cosmetics or soaps that dry the skin
• Medicated cosmetics
• Other alcohol-containing preparations
• Other topical medicine for the skin

To use any of the above preparations on the same affected area as this medicine may cause severe irritation of the skin

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• Irritation, pain, redness, or swelling of skin;  skin infection 

Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your health care professional if the following side effect continues or is bothersome:

• Burning or stinging of skin 

Other side effects may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your health care professional.