Rosacea Medications
Medication
Rosacea has been the subject of new medications in recent years. Your doctor will recommend a medication based on the symptoms and signs that you’re experiencing. To find the right treatment for you, you may need to try different options or combinations of drugs. Rosacea drugs include:
- Topical medications that reduce flushing
Your healthcare provider may recommend that you use a cream or gel to treat mild to moderate Rosacea. Oxymetazoline, Brimonidine and Rhofade (Mirvaso), reduce flushing by blocking blood vessels. Check the results 12 hours after using. As the effect on blood vessels isn’t permanent, the medication needs to be used daily to maintain improvement.
Other topical products can help to control the pimples of low Rosacea. The drugs include metronidazole, azelaic acids (Finacea and Azelex), ivermectin, and others. Metronidazole, azelaic acids and ivermectin are not noticeable for two to six weeks. Ivermectin may take longer to cure the skin but is available in a more prolonged suspension.
- Oral acne drug
Your healthcare provider may recommend isotretinoin, also known as Claravis, Amnesteem and other brands, if you have severe Rosacea which does not respond to any other treatments. This oral acne medication also helps to clear up Rosacea-like acne lesions. This drug should not be used during pregnancy, as it could cause severe birth defects.
- Oral Antibiotics
Your physician may recommend an oral antibiotic such as doxycycline for Rosacea that is normal or severe with bumps and pimples.
- Antibiotics
Oral antibiotics may have an anti-inflammatory effect. Topical antibiotics need to show results faster than oral ones. Minocycline, tetracycline, and erythromycin are examples. Tetracycline may be helpful with symptoms of the eyes. Doxycycline helps to improve blurred vision, sensitivity, light sensitivity, and itching for people with ocular Rosacea.
- Eye drops
Eye drops can relieve symptoms that are associated with ocular Rosacea. A healthcare provider may prescribe a steroid eyedrop called blephamide. The healthcare provider may prescribe this eye drop for a few days or a week.
- Isotretinoin
If other treatments do not work, individuals may use Isotretinoin. This drug is strong and stops the skin producing oil. Side effects could be severe. This drug is not helpful for individuals having erythematotelangiectatic Rosacea.
Topical prescription medicines
The medicine you choose may help reduce flushing and redness, which can be helpful in treating Rosacea pimples. Rhofade or Mirvaso can be used to reduce flushing and redness.
- Rohofade In 2017, the FDA approved Rhofade as a treatment for Rosacea-related redness of the face. Rhofade is a medication that reduces the appearance of redness. It has few side effects but, like Mirvso it can be costly and rarely covered by insurance plans.
