Soolantra (ivermectin) is a brand-name topical cream that’s prescribed for rosacea. As with other drugs, Soolantra can cause side effects, such as skin irritation.

Soolantra can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who used Soolantra in clinical trials:

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

Mild side effects can occur with Soolantra use. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Soolantra’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that have been reported with Soolantra include:

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while using Soolantra and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.
† An allergic reaction is possible after using Soolantra. However, it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in clinical trials. To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.

Soolantra doesn’t typically cause serious side effects. The information below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more details, you can refer to Soolantra’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while using Soolantra, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

It’s possible for Soolantra to cause a severe allergic reaction. However, it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in clinical trials. To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.

Learn more about some of the side effects that Soolantra may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Soolantra.

Skin irritation

It’s possible for Soolantra to cause skin irritation. In fact, this was one of the most common side effects reported in clinical trials of the drug.

Skin irritation may include discoloration or itchiness.

What you can do

If you experience skin irritation during treatment with Soolantra, talk with your doctor. They can help determine whether Soolantra is causing the irritation. They can also recommend ways to manage this side effect.

If your skin irritation is severe or bothersome, your doctor may prescribe a different medication to manage your rosacea.

Burning sensation

Soolantra may cause a burning sensation on the skin. In the drug’s clinical trials, this was one of the most commonly reported side effects.

What you can do

If you experience a burning sensation on your skin while using Soolantra, talk with your doctor. They can recommend ways to manage this side effect.

If this sensation becomes severe or bothersome, your doctor may recommend using a different medication for your rosacea.

Allergic reaction

As with most drugs, Soolantra can cause an allergic reaction in some people. However, it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in clinical trials.

Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include:

  • skin rash
  • itching
  • flushing
  • swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

What you can do

For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. They may recommend ways to ease your symptoms and determine whether you should keep using Soolantra. However, if your symptoms are serious and you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history before you use Soolantra. This drug may not be the right treatment option for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. These are considered drug-condition or drug-factor interactions. The conditions and factors to consider include:

Allergic reaction: If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Soolantra or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Soolantra. Ask your doctor what other medications may be better options for you.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding: If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding your child, Soolantra may not be safe for you to use. At this time, it’s not known whether Soolantra causes congenital anomalies (commonly known as birth defects) or how it may affect a developing fetus.

In addition, there aren’t any clinical trials to determine whether Soolantra passes into breast milk or how it may affect a child who’s breastfed. If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, be sure to talk with your doctor before using Soolantra.

Alcohol consumption: If you drink alcohol, Soolantra is likely safe for you to use. There aren’t any known drug interactions between Soolantra and alcohol.

If you’d like to learn more about Soolantra, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help answer any questions you have about side effects from using the drug.

Besides talking with your doctor, you can do some research on your own. These articles might help:

  • More information about Soolantra: For details about other aspects of Soolantra, refer to this article.
  • A look at rosacea: For details about rosacea, see our dermatology hub.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.