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Soolantra Vs Finacea: Which Rosacea Treatment Should You Choose?
Scott McDougall
MPharm GPhC 2079324
Director & Registered Manager
Soolantra is a topical cream that is used to treat rosacea and Demodex mites. Containing the active ingredient ivermectin, Soolantra is an anti-inflammatory cream that can reduce rosacea symptoms, including facial redness, swelling, and especially papules and pustules.
Although Soolantra can be highly effective, it’s far from the only available rosacea treatment available on prescription. In this guide, we’ve taken a closer look at how Soolantra compares to Finacea, Rozex and Mirvaso.
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Soolantra vs Finacea
Finacea is a gel used to treat rosacea. The main difference between Soolantra and Finacea is the active ingredient that the two medications contain. Instead of ivermectin, Finacea’s active ingredient is azelaic acid.
Azelaic acid works by blocking the body’s natural production and growth of skin cells at the same time as killing off harmful bacteria on the skin. This reduces clogging and irritation of the sebaceous glands, which can cause redness and swelling associated with rosacea.
Finacea 15% Gel - Available Online
Soolantra vs Finacea: how long do they take to work?
In terms of how long they take to work, Soolantra and Finacea are also very similar. Applied correctly, Finacea can reduce the symptoms of rosacea within one to two months. In comparison, it takes an average of four to six weeks to see an improvement while using Soolantra.
Soolantra vs Finacea: how effective are they?
Finacea can also be used to treat acne and it is sometimes used to treat spots and pimples caused by rosacea. Compared to Soolantra, Finacea may be more effective when the only symptom of rosacea is redness, whereas Soolantra is likely to be more effective at treating rosacea with papules and pustules. Finacea has more potential side effects, though these are normally limited to skin irritation at the start of treatment. Finacea is also a cheaper alternative to Soolantra.
Soolantra vs Rozex & Metrogel
Rozex and Metrogel both contain the active ingredient metronidazole in a strength of 0.75%.
Soolantra is classified as a macrocyclic lactone anthelmintic (it is an anti-parasitic treatment - it kills mites that live on your skin that are believed to be a cause of rosacea), while Rozex and Metrogel are powerful antibiotics.
Both medications, however, are topical creams that are designed to be applied and rubbed in a thin layer on affected areas of the face.
Metrogel 0.75% Gel
Soolantra vs Rozex: how long do they take to work?
When using Rozex or Metrogel to treat rosacea, the average person will have to wait at least two weeks before seeing an improvement.
The recommended course of treatment for Rozex or Metrogel is once a day for at least nine weeks, compared to one application per day for up to 4 months with Soolantra.
Read more about how long Rozex takes to work here.
Soolantra vs Rozex: how effective are they?
Clinical trials have provided evidence that Soolantra is more effective than Rozex when treating papulopustular rosacea (rosacea characterised by bumps and spots). In 16 weeks, subjects saw reduced bumps and blemishes and experienced fewer side effects using Soolantra than they did with metronidazole-based alternatives.
Rozex and Metrogel are likely to be more effective than Soolantra when the main symptom of rosacea is redness alone.
Rozex 0.75% Gel
Soolantra vs Mirvaso
Another alternative treatment for rosacea, Mirvaso belongs to a group of medicines called alpha agonists. Mirvaso Gel contains the active ingredient brimonidine tartrate.
Brimonidine tartrate works by stimulating the alpha receptors found in the muscle walls of the blood vessels. This causes the blood vessels where it is applied to contract, decreasing the flow of blood to the surface of the skin and therefore reducing the redness and swelling caused by rosacea.
Soolantra vs Mirvaso: how long do they take to work?
Rosacea medications either fight the underlying cause or reduce the symptoms of the condition. Soolantra fights the underlying cause and Mirvaso reduces the symptoms.
For this reason, Mirvaso is much more fast-acting. In clinical trials, subjects saw the redness caused by rosacea diminish for up 12 hours after use. For many of the subjects, the symptoms faded in as little as 30 minutes. However, Mirvaso must be used continuously to keep symptoms at bay - it doesn't stop rosacea from occurring.
Mirvaso Gel
Soolantra vs Mirvaso: how effective are they?
Mirvaso is highly effective, but it only treats the symptoms of rosacea. To continue reducing the facial redness and flushing rosacea can produce, you will need to keep using Mirvaso.
On the other hand, although rosacea is an incurable chronic condition, Soolantra fights the Demodex mites that are believed to cause rosacea. This means that after finishing a course of Soolantra, you shouldn’t need to use the medication until the condition’s symptoms flare up again.
Soolantra Vs Finacea Vs Rozex Vs Mirvaso
Below you will find a table comparing Soolantra, Finacea, Rozex, and Mirvaso:
| Soolantra | Finacea | Rozex | Mirvaso | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Used to treat |
Rosacea |
Rosacea and acne |
Rosacea |
Rosacea |
Prescription required |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Active ingredient |
Ivermectin |
Azelaic acid |
Metronidazole |
Brimonidine tartrate |
Size of tube |
30g |
30g |
40g |
30g |
Does it treat the cause or symptoms of rosacea? |
Cause |
Cause |
Cause |
Symptoms |
On average how long does it take to work? |
Four weeks |
Two months |
A few weeks |
As little as 30 minutes and lasts for 12 hours |
Is it available to buy online? |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Soolantra Vs Finacea Vs Rozex Vs Mirvaso: Side Effects
One of the main differences between Soolantra, Finacea, Rozex and Mirvaso is the common side effects users experience. Read our Soolantra side effects guide or take a look at the table below, which provides an overview of the most common side effects associated with each medication:
| Common side effect | Soolantra | Finacea | Rozex | Mirvaso |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Burning sensation |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Itching |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Dry skin/scaling |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Rash |
No |
Yes |
No |
No |
Increase of rosacea |
No |
No |
Yes |
No |
Flushing |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
Please note that the above table refers to common side effects only. For more information, read our guides covering the full list of side effects associated with Soolantra and Finacea.
Summary
Soolantra, Finacea, Rozex and Mirvaso are all effective treatments for rosacea. Soolantra is likely to be more effective in treating rosacea where bumps and spots (papules & pustules) are present, whereas Finacea and Rozex may be more effective at treating rosacea where redness is the main symptom.
You can buy rosacea treatments from The Independent Pharmacy after completing an online questionnaire. This process is confidential and you won’t need to speak to someone face to face.
If the medication is safe for you to use, you can receive your medication the next day, delivered straight to your door in plain and discreet packaging.
Sources
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/rosacea/treatment/
https://www.soolantra.com/about-rosacea-treatment
https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/6819/smpc
https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/240
https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/924/smpc
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Written by Andy Boysan
MPharm
2079324
Director & Registered Manager
Scott is one of the two founders of The Independent Pharmacy. He is a registered pharmacist and the registered manager of our service with the CQC.
MPharm IP
2078790
Pharmacist Independent Prescriber
Dan is an experienced pharmacist having spent time working in both primary and secondary care. He currently supports our clinical team by providing robust clinical governance review of our internal processes and information.