Conditions · FAQ
Which prescription creams can treat rosacea?
Short answer
Prescription skin treatments for rosacea may include metronidazole, azelaic acid, or ivermectin for bumps and inflammation. Other medicines target persistent facial redness. The best choice depends on your symptoms and health history. A licensed physician in your state decides what is appropriate. Treatment may help control symptoms. Results vary.
Rosacea treatments target different symptoms. Metronidazole, azelaic acid, and ivermectin are options used for inflammatory bumps. Brimonidine and oxymetazoline are options that narrow small blood vessels to temporarily reduce persistent facial redness. These medicines do not all work in the same way, and one treatment may not address every symptom. Results vary.
Your physician will consider your skin sensitivity, other medicines, allergies, and medical history before recommending treatment. Pregnancy or breastfeeding can also affect the choice. Some people need oral medicine or an in-person visit with a skin specialist. Visible blood vessels or thickened skin may need care beyond a cream.
If a compounded medication is prescribed, it is prepared by a licensed pharmacy for one patient and is not FDA-approved. The FDA does not review compounded medications for safety, effectiveness, or quality before they are marketed. Ask which ingredients are included and why they were chosen. Use only the treatment prescribed for you, and do not combine prescription products unless your physician says to do so.
Sources
Written by the Verra clinical team · Medical review pending
General information, not medical advice. If you're in crisis, call or text 988.