Azelaic acid (topical route)
Available brands
Azelex, Finacea, Finacea Plus
About this medication
Azelaic acid topicalcreamis used to treat mildly to moderately inflamed acne. The topicalfoam and gelare used to treat mild to moderate rosacea. For acne, it works by killing the bacteria that cause acne and by keeping the skin pores clean. This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription. This product is available in the following dosage forms:
Before using this medication
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered: Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully. Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of azelaic acid topicalcreamin children 12 years of age and older. Safety and efficacy in children younger than 12 years of age have not been established. Appropriate studies on the relationship of age to the effects of azelaic acid topicalfoam or gelhave not been performed in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established. Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of azelaic acid topical in the elderly. There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding. Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine. Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco. The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
How to use this medication
It is very important that you use this medicine only as directed. Do not use more of it, do not use it more often, and do not use it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. To do so may cause your skin to become irritated. This medicine is for use onlyon the skin. Do not get it in your eyes, nose, mouth, or vagina. If it does get on these areas, rinse it off with water and check with your doctor right away, especially if you have red, sore eyes. To help clear up your acne or rosacea completely,it is very important that you keep using this medicine for the full treatment time. Do not miss any doses. Avoid using alcoholic cleansers, tinctures and astringents, or abrasives and peeling agents with thefoam or gelto prevent extra skin irritation. Avoid eating spicy foods, thermally hot foods and drinks (eg, hot coffee, tea), and alcoholic beverages while you are using thegel. Thefoamis flammable. Avoid fire, flame, and smoking when you apply the medicine and right after it is applied. To use the cream, foam, or gel: The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so. The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine. If you miss a dose of this medicine, apply it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Keep out of the reach of children. Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use. Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing. Do not store thefoamcan at temperatures above 49 degrees C (120 degrees F). Do not poke holes in the can or throw it into a fire, even if the can is empty. Throw away any unused medicine 8 weeks after using it for the first time.
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