Soolantra is a brand-name prescription medication. It’s FDA-approved for treating inflammatory lesions caused by rosacea. These lesions include bumps, skin marks, and pimples on the face. Soolantra is for use in adults.

Rosacea is a chronic (long-lasting) skin condition that occurs on your face. It commonly affects your cheeks, forehead, nose, or any of these areas together.

The active drug in Soolantra is ivermectin, which belongs to a class of medications known as antiparasitics. (A medication class is a group of drugs that work in a similar way.)

Soolantra comes as a cream that you apply to the lesions on your face. It’s available in one strength: 1%. You’ll likely use Soolantra once per day.

Effectiveness

For information on the effectiveness of Soolantra, see the “Soolantra for rosacea” section below.

Soolantra is available as a generic drug called ivermectin. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. The generic is considered as safe and effective as the original drug. Generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.

Soolantra and ivermectin both come as a cream and are available in only one strength: 1%.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as Soolantra to treat certain conditions. Soolantra may also be used off-label for other conditions. Off-label use is when a drug that’s approved to treat one condition is used to treat a different condition.

Soolantra is FDA-approved for treating bumps, skin marks, and pimples on the face due to rosacea. These skin issues are also called inflammatory lesions. Soolantra is for use in adults.

What is rosacea?

Rosacea is a type of chronic (long-lasting) skin disease that occurs on your face. Its main symptom is small bumps that are red and filled with pus. The bumps typically show up on your cheeks, forehead, or nose, or any of these areas together.

These bumps appear during flare-ups, which are times when your symptoms get worse. Flare-ups often occur in cycles. This means you have rosacea symptoms for a period of time, such as weeks or even months. Then the symptoms go away before returning again.

General symptoms of rosacea include:

  • dry, rough, and scaly skin
  • stinging, burning, or sensitive skin
  • visible broken blood vessels
  • flushing and redness in the center of the face (people with darker skin tones may not notice this symptom)

People with darker skin tones may also experience the following symptoms of rosacea:

  • breakouts similar to acne that aren’t helped by acne products
  • skin that’s swollen and dry
  • a feeling of warmth on the face, facial skin that’s warm to the touch, or both
  • skin that looks unusually darkish brown
  • yellow-brown bumps near the eyes, mouth, or both

The cause of rosacea isn’t known. Currently, there’s no cure for the condition. But medications such as Soolantra can help treat rosacea by relieving your symptoms during flare-ups.

Effectiveness for rosacea

In clinical studies, Soolantra was shown to ease symptoms in people with rosacea.

In one study, people with rosacea used Soolantra or a placebo cream (a cream with no active drug). Researchers used a scale called the Investigator Global Assessment (IGA). The IGA is used to score the severity of people’s rosacea before and after the study.

The IGA scale runs from 0 to 4. A score of 0 means that a person is “clear” of rosacea. A score of 4 means that a person has severe, widespread rosacea with many lesions that sometimes fuse together. A score of 1 means that a person is “almost clear” of rosacea.

The researchers also measured the number of inflammatory lesions people had before and after the study. The results showed that after 12 weeks of treatment:

  • 38.4% of people who used Soolantra had an IGA score that was “clear” or “almost clear,” compared with 11.6% of people who used the placebo
  • the number of inflammatory lesions in the Soolantra group decreased by almost 65%, compared with a nearly 42% decrease in the placebo group

A second study also looked at people with rosacea who used Soolantra or a placebo cream for 12 weeks. Researchers found that:

  • 40.1% of people who used Soolantra scored as “clear” or “almost clear,” compared with 18.8% who used the placebo
  • the number of inflammatory lesions in the Soolantra group decreased by almost 66%, compared with a nearly 43% decrease in the placebo group

Soolantra and children

It isn’t known if Soolantra is safe for children because the drug wasn’t studied in this age group.

If your child has rosacea and you have questions about possible treatments, talk with their doctor.

In addition to the use listed above, Soolantra may be used off-label for other reasons. Off-label drug use is when a drug that’s approved for one use is used for another that’s not approved. You may wonder if Soolantra is also used for certain other conditions. Below is information on other possible uses for Soolantra.

Soolantra for acne (off-label use)

Soolantra isn’t approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating acne. But the drug may be used off-label to treat this condition.

One small study looked at people with skin conditions, such as acne, that affected their face. They used ivermectin, the active drug in Soolantra. The researchers found that the drug helped ease the skin conditions for all the people in the study. But more studies are needed before it’s known whether Soolantra is safe and effective for treating acne.

If you have acne and are interested in using Soolantra, talk with your doctor.

Soolantra for perioral dermatitis (off-label use)

Soolantra isn’t FDA approved for treating perioral dermatitis. But the drug may be used off-label for this condition. Perioral dermatitis is a rash that affects the skin around the mouth.

A published report shows that one person’s perioral dermatitis was relieved after using ivermectin, the active drug in Soolantra. But this is only one person’s experience. More research is needed before it’s known whether Soolantra is safe and effective to use for perioral dermatitis.

If you’d like to learn more about using Soolantra for perioral dermatitis, talk with your doctor.

Soolantra for seborrheic dermatitis (off-label use)

Soolantra isn’t FDA approved to treat seborrheic dermatitis. But it may be used off-label to treat this condition.

Seborrheic dermatitis (dandruff) causes scaly, red patches to form, most commonly on the scalp. They may also appear on the face and upper body.

In one small study, ivermectin (the active drug in Soolantra) was used to treat people with facial skin conditions that included seborrheic dermatitis. People who used ivermectin were “clear” or “almost clear” of seborrheic dermatitis, according to a scale called the Investigator Global Assessment. For details on this scale, see the “Soolantra for rosacea” section above.

If you want to know more about the use of Soolantra for seborrheic dermatitis, talk with your doctor.

Soolantra for scabies and mites (off-label use)

Soolantra isn’t FDA approved to treat scabies. However, ivermectin (the active drug in Soolantra) may be used off-label for this purpose.

Scabies is a skin condition that’s caused by mites, which are tiny, tick-like pests. Mites are so small that they’re often invisible to the eye. They can irritate your skin, resulting in a red, itchy rash.

Ivermectin was shown in one study to be as effective in treating scabies as another drug, permethrin, which is approved to treat the condition.

If you want to learn about treatment options for scabies, talk with your doctor.

Soolantra for eczema (not an appropriate use)

Soolantra shouldn’t be used to treat eczema. The drug isn’t approved by the FDA to treat this condition. And there isn’t any evidence that Soolantra works to treat eczema. In fact, one study showed that the use of ivermectin may increase the number and severity of eczema symptoms.

If you have questions about your treatment options for eczema, talk with your doctor or dermatologist.

Soolantra can cause mild or serious side effects. The following lists contain some of the key side effects that may occur while taking Soolantra. These lists don’t include all possible side effects.

For more information on the possible side effects of Soolantra, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can give you tips on how to deal with any side effects that may be bothersome.

Note: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tracks side effects of drugs it has approved. If you would like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Soolantra, you can do so through MedWatch.

Mild side effects

Mild side effects of Soolantra can include:*

  • skin burning
  • skin irritation

These side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. But if they become more severe or don’t go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

* This is a partial list of mild side effects from Soolantra. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or view Soolantra’s prescribing information.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from Soolantra aren’t common, but they can occur. Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 or your local emergency number if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency.

Serious side effects, explained in more detail below in “Side effect details,” include:

Side effect details

You may wonder how often certain side effects occur with this drug or whether certain side effects pertain to it. Here’s some detail on certain side effects this drug may or may not cause.

Allergic reaction

As with most drugs, some people can have an allergic reaction after taking Soolantra. However, it’s not known how often allergic reactions occurred in clinical studies of the drug.

Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:

  • breakout of an itchy skin rash
  • itchiness
  • flushing (warmth and redness in your skin)

A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include:

  • swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
  • swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat
  • trouble breathing

Call your doctor right away if you have a severe allergic reaction to Soolantra. Call 911 or your local emergency number if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency.

Skin burning or irritation

Skin burning or irritation are possible side effects of Soolantra.

In clinical trials, less than 1% of people who used Soolantra reported skin burning or irritation. It isn’t known how often these side effects occurred in people who used a placebo cream (a cream with no active drug). Since the drug doesn’t get absorbed by your body, the burning or irritation occurs where you apply Soolantra.

If you experience skin burning or irritation while using Soolantra, talk with your doctor. They can suggest ways to help ease these side effects or recommend a different medication for your rosacea.

Skin purging (not a side effect)

Skin purging wasn’t a reported side effect in clinical trials of Soolantra. Skin purging is a condition in which you shed dead skin cells at a faster rate than usual.

For more information, see the “Does Soolantra cause skin purging?” section below.

Skin purging happens when a skin care product or drug causes your skin to shed dead skin cells more quickly than usual. As a result, oil and other substances in your pores start to rise to your skin’s surface. This can result in acne or acne-like breakouts. It’s also common to experience dry, peeling skin with skin purging.

Skin purging typically happens when you first start using the product or drug, but it may ease after several weeks of use.

In clinical trials of Soolantra, skin purging wasn’t reported as a side effect. The researchers also didn’t note any acne breakouts in people who used Soolantra in the study.

A group of researchers conducted a review of studies on ivermectin, the active drug in Soolantra. They compared data from 19 different clinical studies. Skin purging and acne breakouts weren’t reported as side effects in the studies.

If you experience skin purging that’s bothersome to you, talk with your doctor. They can work with you to help ease your symptoms.

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Soolantra.

Will I see a difference before and after using Soolantra?

It’s possible that you’ll see a difference from before you started using Soolantra and afterward.

In clinical studies, Soolantra was shown to relieve symptoms in people with rosacea. Across studies, people who used Soolantra saw their total number of bumps, marks on the skin, and pimples decrease by about 65%. (These skin issues are also called inflammatory lesions.)

In comparison, about 42% of people who used a placebo cream saw their total number of lesions decrease. The placebo cream was a cream with no active drug.

To see photos of people before and after they used Soolantra, you can visit the drug website.

If you have questions about what you might be able to expect with Soolantra use, talk with your doctor.

Can I apply moisturizer or makeup after using Soolantra?

Yes, you can apply moisturizer or makeup after using Soolantra. But you need to make sure the Soolantra cream has dried completely before using these products.

Soolantra itself contains moisturizers. The cream consists of the active drug ivermectin as well as a “vehicle” cream that the ivermectin is mixed in. This vehicle cream acts as a moisturizing base. It includes ingredients, such as glycerin, that moisturize your skin.

You can also use a separate moisturizer. Moisturizing may help prevent flare-ups of rosacea by protecting your skin from triggers such as wind and cold temperatures. (Flare-ups are times when your rosacea gets worse.)

If you decide to use an additional moisturizer, be sure to check the ingredients. Make sure they don’t contain anything that may trigger your rosacea.

If you have questions about what products are safe to use with Soolantra, talk with your doctor or dermatologist.

Can Soolantra make my rosacea worse?

In clinical trials, there were no reports of Soolantra making rosacea worse.

However, if you believe your rosacea is getting worse while using Soolantra, talk with your doctor. They can help determine the cause and recommend ways to help ease the condition.

Do I need to stay out of the sun while using Soolantra?

Soolantra itself won’t make your skin more sensitive to the sun. However, sun exposure is a common rosacea trigger. If being in the sun causes your rosacea to flare up (get worse), using sunscreen may help. But it’s important to check the sunscreen’s ingredients to make sure they don’t include anything known to trigger your rosacea.

If you have questions about what sunscreen products are safe to use with Soolantra, talk with your doctor.

Can Soolantra help smooth out wrinkles?

It’s not known whether Soolantra can smooth out wrinkles. The drug hasn’t been studied for this use and isn’t meant to be used as an anti-wrinkle cream.

If you have questions about how to treat wrinkles, talk with your doctor.

What are Demodex mites, and do they cause rosacea?

Demodex mites are a kind of parasite, and they may play a part in rosacea.

Demodex” is short for Demodex folliculorum, a type of mite that lives in hair follicles on human skin, including those on the face. The mites live on everyone’s face, not just people with rosacea.

It’s thought that people with rosacea may have more Demodex mites than people without rosacea. It’s also believed that having a very high number of Demodex mites can trigger inflammation (swelling and damage) in people with rosacea.

The active drug in Soolantra, ivermectin, belongs to a group of medications known as antiparasitics. Ivermectin is effective at killing Demodex mites.

If you have more questions about Demodex mites and how they may relate to your rosacea, talk with your doctor.

The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Drug forms and strengths

Soolantra comes as a cream and is available in three different tube sizes: 30 grams (g), 45 g, and 60 g.

Soolantra is available in only one strength: 1%. This means that 1% of the cream contains the active drug (ivermectin). So every 1 g of cream contains 10 milligrams of ivermectin.

Dosage for rosacea

Soolantra is used to treat bumps, skin marks, and pimples on the face due to rosacea. The typical dosage is a pea-sized amount of Soolantra applied once per day to each affected area of your face. For example, you would apply one pea-sized amount on your nose and one on each cheek. You should spread the cream in a thin layer.

Be careful to avoid getting the cream in your eyes, on your lips, or inside your mouth.

What if I miss a dose?

If you forget to use your Soolantra one day, apply your normally scheduled dose the next day at your regular time. Don’t “double up” and use more cream for your next dose. This can increase your risk for side effects. (To learn about side effects, see the “Soolantra side effects” section above.)

Soolantra is typically used once per day. You can apply Soolantra cream in the morning or at night. The drug will still work the same regardless of what time you use it, so choose a time that works best for you.

To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm on your phone or downloading a reminder app. A kitchen timer can work, too.

Will I need to use this drug long term?

Soolantra is meant to be used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Soolantra is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it for a long time.

You should use Soolantra according to your doctor’s or healthcare provider’s instructions.

Soolantra is used to treat bumps, skin marks, and pimples on the face due to rosacea. You’ll likely apply a pea-sized amount of Soolantra cream to each affected area of your face. For example, you’ll apply one pea-sized amount on your nose and one on each cheek. With your finger, spread the cream in a thin layer.

Be careful to avoid getting Soolantra cream in your eyes, on your lips, or inside your mouth. You also shouldn’t apply the drug in your vagina.

When to use

Soolantra is typically used once per day. You can apply Soolantra cream in the morning or at night. The drug will still work the same regardless of what time you use it, so choose a time that works best for you.

To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm on your phone or downloading a reminder app. A kitchen timer can work, too.

Other drugs are available that can treat inflammatory lesions (bumps, skin marks, and pimples on the face) due to rosacea. Some may be a better fit for you than others. If you’re interested in finding an alternative to Soolantra, talk with your doctor. They can tell you about other medications that may work well for you.

Note: Some of the drugs listed here are used off-label to treat these specific conditions. Off-label use is when a drug that’s approved to treat one condition is used to treat a different condition.

Alternatives for rosacea

Examples of other drugs that may be used to treat rosacea include:

  • azelaic acid (Finacea)
  • brimonidine tartrate gel (Mirvaso)
  • doxycycline
  • isotretinoin (retinol)
  • ivermectin (generic version of Soolantra)
  • metronidazole 0.75% cream (Metrocream)
  • metronidazole 1% gel (Metrogel)
  • oxymetazoline 1% cream (Rhofade)

You may wonder how Soolantra compares with other medications that are prescribed for similar uses. Here we look at how Soolantra and Finacea are alike and different.

Ingredients

Soolantra contains the active drug ivermectin, which belongs to a class of medications known as antiparasitics. (A class of medications is a group of drugs that work in a similar way.)

Finacea contains the active drug azelaic acid. Azelaic acid belongs to a class of medications known as topical antiacne agents.

Uses

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved both Soolantra and Finacea to treat inflammatory lesions caused by rosacea. These lesions include bumps, skin marks, and pimples on the face. Both drugs are approved for use in adults.

Soolantra is used for treating lesions whether they’re mild, moderate, or severe. Finacea, on the other hand, is used for lesions that are mild or moderate.

Drug forms and administration

Soolantra comes as a cream that you apply to your face, likely once per day.

Finacea comes in two different forms: gel and foam. You’ll likely apply either the gel or foam to your face twice per day.

Side effects and risks

Soolantra and Finacea can cause very similar side effects, but some different ones as well. Below are examples of these side effects.

Mild side effects

These lists contain up to 10 of the most common mild side effects that can occur with Soolantra and Finacea, as well as mild side effects that both drugs may share.

  • Can occur with Soolantra:
    • no unique mild side effects
  • Can occur with Finacea:
    • itchiness
    • dry or scaly skin
    • skin redness
  • Can occur with both Soolantra and Finacea:
    • burning skin that could include a stinging or tingling feeling
    • skin irritation

Serious side effects

These lists contain examples of serious side effects that can occur with Soolantra or Finacea, as well as serious side effects that both drugs may share.

  • Can occur with Soolantra:
    • no unique serious side effects
  • Can occur with Finacea:
    • hypopigmentation (patches of discolored skin)
  • Can occur with both Soolantra and Finacea:

Effectiveness

These drugs haven’t been directly compared in clinical studies, but studies have found both Soolantra and Finacea to be effective for treating rosacea.

Costs

The costs of Soolantra and Finacea may vary depending on your treatment plan. The actual price you’ll pay for either drug depends on your insurance plan, your location, and the pharmacy you use.

Soolantra and Finacea are both brand-name drugs. Both drugs are also available as generics. Brand-name medications usually cost more than generics.

Soolantra is available as a generic drug called ivermectin.

Finacea comes in two forms: gel and foam. Finacea gel is available as a generic drug called azelaic acid. Finacea foam isn’t available as a generic.

You may wonder how Soolantra compares with other medications that are prescribed for similar uses. Here we look at how Soolantra and Metrogel are alike and different.

Ingredients

Soolantra contains the active drug ivermectin, which belongs to a class of medications known as antiparasitics. (A class of medications is a group of drugs that work in a similar way.)

Metrogel contains the active drug metronidazole, which belongs to a class of medications known as antibiotics.

Uses

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved both Soolantra and Metrogel to treat inflammatory lesions caused by rosacea. These lesions include bumps, skin marks, and pimples on the face. Soolantra and Metrogel are used for treating lesions whether they’re mild, moderate, or severe. Both drugs are approved for use in adults.

Drug forms and administration

Soolantra comes as a cream that you apply to your face, likely once per day.

Metrogel comes as a gel that you apply to your face, likely once per day.

Side effects and risks

Soolantra and Metrogel can cause very similar side effects, but some different ones as well. Below are examples of these side effects.

Mild side effects

These lists contain up to 10 of the most common mild side effects that can occur with Soolantra and Metrogel, as well as mild side effects that both drugs may share.

  • Can occur with Soolantra:
    • no unique mild side effects
  • Can occur with Metrogel:
    • dry skin
    • headache
    • infection
  • Can occur with both Soolantra and Metrogel:
    • burning skin that could include a stinging or tingling feeling
    • skin irritation that could include redness

Serious side effects

These lists contain examples of serious side effects that can occur with Soolantra or Metrogel, as well as serious side effects that both drugs may share.

  • Can occur with Soolantra:
    • no unique serious side effects
  • Can occur with Metrogel:
  • Can occur with both Soolantra and Metrogel:

Effectiveness

These drugs haven’t been directly compared in clinical studies. But studies have found both Soolantra and Metrogel to be effective for treating rosacea.

Metronidazole, the active drug in Metrogel, also comes in a cream form. The brand name of this form is Metrocream. In a clinical study, Soolantra was compared with Metrocream 0.75% in people with papulopustular rosacea. This type of rosacea can include acne-like breakouts, swelling, and redness.

After 16 weeks, people who took Soolantra had an average of 83% reduction in lesions. This was compared with an average of 73.7% of people who took Metrocream 0.75%.

Costs

Soolantra costs significantly more than Metrogel. The actual price you’ll pay for either drug depends on your insurance plan, your location, and the pharmacy you use.

Soolantra and Metrogel are both brand-name drugs. Both drugs are also available as generics. Brand-name medications usually cost more than generics.

Soolantra is available as a generic drug called ivermectin. Metrogel is available as a generic drug called metronidazole 1%.

There aren’t any known interactions between Soolantra and alcohol.

However, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, research has shown that alcohol may increase your risk for rosacea. It’s not sure why alcohol may increase the risk, so more research is needed.

If you’ve found that drinking alcohol causes your rosacea to worsen, you may want to avoid drinking alcohol while using Soolantra. This can help make sure the drug works as well as it can to treat your rosacea.

If you have more questions about drinking alcohol while using Soolantra, talk with your doctor.

There aren’t any known interactions between Soolantra and other medications, herbs, supplements, or foods.

Before taking Soolantra, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, or supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid possible interactions.

If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

It’s not known if Soolantra is safe to use while pregnant. The drug hasn’t been studied during pregnancy.

In animal studies, Soolantra was given by mouth to pregnant animals at doses much higher than those used in humans. The results revealed birth weights that were lower than usual, birth defects, and in rare cases, death of the mother.

It’s important to remember that animal studies don’t always predict what will happen in people. Also, Soolantra isn’t taken by mouth like it was in the animal studies. The drug is applied to the skin.

If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, ask your doctor to review the pros and cons of Soolantra. They can also advise you on other treatment options.

It’s not known if Soolantra is safe to use during pregnancy. If you’re sexually active and you or your partner can become pregnant, talk with your doctor about your birth control needs while you’re using Soolantra.

For more information about taking Soolantra during pregnancy, see the “Soolantra and pregnancy” section above.

Breastfeeding while using Soolantra isn’t recommended.

When pregnant mothers took an oral form of ivermectin (the active drug in Soolantra) in clinical studies, ivermectin passed into breast milk. “Oral” refers to a drug you take by mouth. It’s not known if ivermectin passes into breast milk when the drug is applied to the skin during pregnancy.

In studies of lactating animals who were given ivermectin orally, the drug level in newborns was found to be dangerously high. In some cases, this led to serious birth defects that affected the brain. However, it’s important to remember that animal studies don’t always predict what will happen in people.

If you have questions about treating rosacea while breastfeeding, talk with your doctor. They can give you information on options other than Soolantra or other healthy ways to feed your child.

Using more than the recommended dosage of Soolantra can lead to serious side effects.

Do not use more Soolantra than your doctor recommends.

Keep in mind that you shouldn’t apply Soolantra inside your mouth or anywhere besides your face. You also shouldn’t inhale or inject the drug or apply it in your vagina. Using Soolantra in ways that your doctor doesn’t prescribe can cause serious side effects. An example of such a side effect is dangerously low blood pressure that requires treatment in a hospital.

Overdose or accidental ingestion symptoms

“Accidental ingestion” refers to using Soolantra by accident in a way that your doctor didn’t prescribe. Applying it to your mouth accidentally is an example. See the above paragraph to learn more.

Symptoms of an overdose or accidental ingestion can include:

What to do in case of overdose or accidental ingestion

If you think you’ve used too much of this drug, call your doctor. And you should call your doctor if you’ve used Soolantra by accident in a way your doctor didn’t prescribe. (This is known as accidental ingestion.) You can also call the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 800-222-1222 or use their online tool. But if your symptoms are severe, call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

As with all medications, the cost of Soolantra can vary. The actual price you’ll pay depends on your insurance plan, your location, and the pharmacy you use.

Before approving coverage for Soolantra, your insurance company may require you to get prior authorization. This means that your doctor and insurance company will need to communicate about your prescription before the insurance company will cover the drug. The insurance company will review the prior authorization request and decide if the drug will be covered.

If you’re not sure if you’ll need to get prior authorization for Soolantra, contact your insurance company.

Financial and insurance assistance

If you need financial support to pay for Soolantra, or if you need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available.

Galderma, the manufacturer of Soolantra, offers the Galderma CareConnect Program. This program includes a patient savings card that may help lower the cost of Soolantra.

For more information and to find out if you’re eligible for support, call 866-735-4137 or visit the program website.

Generic version

Soolantra is available in a generic form called ivermectin. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. The generic is considered to be as safe and effective as the original drug. And generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.

If your doctor has prescribed Soolantra and you’re interested in using ivermectin instead, talk with your doctor. They may have a preference for one version or the other. You’ll also need to check your insurance plan, as it may only cover one or the other.

Soolantra is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating bumps, skin marks, and pimples on the face due to rosacea. These skin issues are also called inflammatory lesions.

Rosacea is a type of chronic (long-lasting) skin disease. Its main symptom is small bumps on the face that are red and filled with pus. The bumps typically appear on your cheeks, forehead, or nose, or any of these areas together.

These bumps show up during flare-ups, which are times when your symptoms get worse. Flare-ups often occur in cycles. This means you have rosacea symptoms for a period of time, such as weeks or even months. Then symptoms go away before returning again.

The cause of rosacea isn’t known. However, certain factors may play a role in the condition. These include:

  • family history of rosacea
  • light skin color
  • abnormal blood vessels in the face
  • mites*
  • a bacterium called H. pylori that’s in the digestive system

Currently, there’s no cure for rosacea. And exactly how Soolantra works to treat rosacea isn’t known.

* To learn more, see “What are Demodex mites, and do they cause rosacea?” in the “Common questions about Soolantra” section above.

How long does it take to work?

Soolantra begins working as soon as you apply it to your face. But it could take up to 12 weeks before you notice your lesions improve. (Soolantra was studied in clinical trials for 12 weeks.)

Your doctor can tell you how long you should use Soolantra.

Before taking Soolantra, talk with your doctor about your health history. Soolantra may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. These include:

  • Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Soolantra or any of its ingredients, you shouldn’t take Soolantra. Ask your doctor what other medications may be better options for you.
  • Pregnancy. It’s not known if it’s safe to use Soolantra while pregnant. For more information, see the “Soolantra and pregnancy” section above.
  • Breastfeeding. Breastfeeding while using Soolantra isn’t recommended. For more information, see the “Soolantra and breastfeeding” section above.

Note: For more information about the potential negative effects of Soolantra, see the “Soolantra side effects” section above.

When you get Soolantra from the pharmacy, the pharmacist will add an expiration date to the label on the tube or box. This date is typically 1 year from the date they dispensed the medication.

The expiration date helps guarantee that the medication is effective during this time. The current stance of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is to avoid using expired medications. If you have unused medication that has gone past the expiration date, talk to your pharmacist about whether you might still be able to use it.

Storage

How long a medication remains good can depend on many factors, including how and where you store the medication.

You should store tubes of Soolantra at room temperature from 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C). For short periods of time, such as when traveling, you can keep Soolantra between 59°F and 86°F (15°C and 30°C). Avoid storing this medication in areas where it could get damp or wet, such as bathrooms.

Disposal

If you no longer need to take Soolantra and have leftover medication, it’s important to dispose of it safely. This helps prevent others, including children and pets, from taking the drug by accident. It also helps keep the drug from harming the environment.

This article provides several useful tips on medication disposal. You can also ask your pharmacist for information on how to dispose of your medication.

The following information is provided for clinicians and other healthcare professionals.

Indications

Soolantra is indicated for treating inflammatory rosacea lesions in adults.

Administration

Soolantra should be applied once daily to the affected areas on the face. Instruct patients to apply a pea-size amount and spread thinly to each area of the face affected.

Soolantra cream should not be applied via intravaginal, oral, or ophthalmic routes.

Mechanism of action

It is not known how ivermectin, the active ingredient in Soolantra, treats inflammatory lesions.

Pharmacokinetics and metabolism

Systemic exposure studies conducted over 52 weeks showed no accretion of ivermectin in plasma.

Ivermectin has not been shown to inhibit CYP enzymes in vitro.

In patients applying ivermectin once daily for 28 days, the average half-life for ivermectin has been calculated at 6.5 days.

Contraindications

There are no known contraindications to Soolantra.

Storage

Store Soolantra tubes at room temperature from 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C). For short periods of time, tubes of Soolantra may be kept between 59°F and 86°F (15°C and 30°C).

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 other 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.

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