Finacea

About Finacea

Finacea is a prescription-only gel containing azelaic acid, a saturated dicarboxylic acid, as the active ingredient. Finacea gel is used for the treatment of skin conditions such as mild to moderate facial acne and rosacea.

Finacea gel works by blocking the production of keratin surface skin cells, which cause pores to clog up, and by killing skin bacteria. This prevents spots, pustules, and papules from appearing on the face, as well as reducing skin redness.

NowPatient offers Finacea as a treatment for rosacea only, following an online consultation with a prescribing clinician.

Key facts of Finacea

• Finacea is used to treat rosacea flare-ups
• Finacea can take up to a month to see an effect
• Finacea has some common side effects which include skin irritation and dryness
• It can be dangerous if you use Finacea with certain medications. If you’re not sure if it is safe, discuss this with the prescribing clinician

Who is Finacea suitable for?

Finacea gel is suitable for adults 18 years of age and older that have already tried other topical treatments, but have not been successful. Finacea is also safe for sensitive skin.

Who is Finacea not suitable for?

Finacea may not be suitable for some people. To make sure it’s safe for you, speak to the prescribing clinician before taking Finacea if you:

• Have had an allergic reaction to azelaic acid in the past
• Are allergic to any of the other ingredients in Finacea
• Are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed

How and where to get Finacea?

You can buy Finacea safely and securely from NowPatient. You can start a consultation today for free and if you qualify for treatment, you only pay for the cost of the medication. Delivery is made to your home or office from our registered pharmacy.

Our service is certified, safe and effective, and we only ever treat conditions. If you book a consultation with one of our prescribers for the treatment of rosacea, you can discuss if Finacea is a suitable treatment option for you.

At the end of the consultation, the clinician will decide if a treatment plan is suitable for you. If it is, the clinician will issue you with a prescription which can then be ordered, paid for and delivered directly to your chosen address by NowPatient.

Dosage and strength for Finacea for rosacea

Finacea is available as a gel containing 15% azelaic acid, when used for rosacea.

Information about how to use Finacea for rosacea

Wash the affected area before applying Finacea. You may use soap and water or a mild skin-cleanser. Apply Finacea to the affected skin in the morning and the evening. Rub into the skin gently. 2.5cm of gel is enough for the entire face. Wash your hands after using the gel.

Always use Finacea as directed by a healthcare professional. Also, read the patient information leaflet provided with your medication or speak to your doctor for further medical advice.

What happens if you use too much Finacea?

If you use more than prescribed, then it can lead to some unpleasant side effects. You should talk to your doctor or reach out to one of our prescribing clinicians, if you have used too much Finacea and you experience any side effects.

What are the side effects of Finacea?

Common side effects of Finacea include skin reactions such as:

• Burning
• Skin irritation
• Itching

Less common side effects include:

• Skin discolouration
• Contact dermatitis at the application site
• Rash
• Tingling
• Numbness
• Dry skin

Serious side effects include:

• Eye swelling
• Face swelling
• Worsening of asthma

If you experience any serious side effects, you should contact NHS 111.

If you experience a serious allergic reaction with the signs shown below you should contact emergency services on 999.

• Your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly become swollen
• You’re breathing very fast or struggling to breathe (you may become very wheezy or feel like you’re choking or gasping for air)
• Your throat feels tight or you’re struggling to swallow
• Your skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale (if you have black or brown skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet)
• You suddenly become very confused, drowsy or dizzy
• Someone faints and cannot be woken up

Always report adverse effects to the MHRA yellow card reporting system. You can read more about this here How and where do I report side effects of my medication? – NowPatient

Information about using Finacea at the same time as other medications or herbal supplements

There is not enough evidence to suggest there are any drug interactions between herbal supplements and Finacea. In any event, you should let your prescribing clinician know if you are taking any herbal supplements.

Can Finacea used for rosacea be used long term?

Finacea gel can reduce rosacea over a few months when used correctly. You will normally see an improvement in rosacea within the first month of treatment. If you do not see an improvement after four weeks or your skin condition worsens, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.

Is there a herbal Finacea?

No. Herbal Finacea does not exist. If you have been marketed such a formulation, it may be fake.

Can women use Finacea

Women can use Finacea for the treatment of rosacea. Speak to a doctor before using Finacea gel if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding. Azelaic acid may pass into breast milk causing harm to a nursing infant.

Should I avoid any particular food or drink when using Finacea?

You can eat and drink normally when using Finacea.

What lifestyle changes can I make to help me treat acne or rosacea?

Lifestyle changes you can make include:

• Not washing affected areas of skin more often than twice a day as this may irritate your skin and make spots worse
• Washing affected skin with a mild soap or cleanser and lukewarm water
• Never squeeze spots as this can cause permanent scars
• Not to use too much make-up or cosmetics and use water-based make-up and toiletries that are less likely to block skin pores

Alternatives to Finacea

Alternatives for the treatment of mild to moderate acne and rosacea include Efracea, Differin gel, Epiduo gel, Soolantra, Mirvaso, and Metrogel (metronidazole).

Sources

• NHS conditions rosacea