Rosacea Medication: An Overview
- Control symptoms
- Improve the appearance of the skin.
Many patients can reduce or eliminate the need for rosacea medication by avoiding factors that trigger flare-ups. If medication is needed, it may take several weeks or months of treatment before any improvements in the skin are noticed.
Rosacea Medication for Mild Rosacea
For mild cases of rosacea, doctors may prescribe a topical antibiotic, such as benzoyl peroxide or
metronidazole, that is applied directly to the affected skin once or twice daily. Doctors may also prescribe azelaic acid cream for mild rosacea. Although azelaic acid is as effective as metronidazole in treating mild rosacea, it tends to have more side effects.
Rosacea Medication for Moderate to Severe Rosacea
For severe cases of rosacea, doctors often prescribe an antibiotic taken by mouth, such as
tetracycline,
minocycline, erythromycin, or
doxycycline. The papules (pink bumps) and pustules (bumps with pus inside) symptomatic of rosacea will usually respond quickly to this rosacea medication. However, the redness and flushing are less likely to improve.
These types of medications are effective in about three-quarters of all rosacea patients within a few months after starting treatment. Some people also find that antibiotic treatment not only relieves their acne, but also decreases facial redness.
Tretinoin is another rosacea medication that may be prescribed. However, this is often prescribed along with oral antibiotics
