Soolantra 1% Cream

Soolantra is a prescription cream, commonly used for a skin condition, known as acne rosacea. Those with acne rosacea may get flare-ups, where spots and pimples appear on the face. Soolantra is used on the affected areas of the skin and can help decrease the symptoms associated with a flare-up. The active ingredient (medication) in Soolantra is Ivermectin, which can reduce the inflammation of the skin, and may also work by killing skin mites that might contribute to rosacea. 

Is it also available as a gel?

Soolantra cream can be found as a gel but is not available to buy through Superdrug Online Doctor.

What is the dosage for Soolantra 1% Cream?

Soolantra 1% cream is commonly prescribed once daily and a pea-sized amount should be used on affected areas of the skin only. Use a pea-sized amount for each of the five areas of the face. These are your nose, forehead, chin, and each cheek.

Types of rosacea

Rosacea is a skin condition that causes redness and stinging and mainly affects the face. People with rosacea may also develop pimples, bumps, or blood vessels that become visible through the skin.

There are four main types of rosacea.

1. Papulopustular (or inflammatory) rosacea: common symptoms include breakouts of spots/pimples. This type of rosacea is most common in women aged 45 to 65.
2. Erythematotelangiectatic rosacea (ETR): common symptoms include visible blood vessels, flushing, and redness in the face.
3. Rhinophyma: this form of rosacea is rare and is usually diagnosed with another form of rosacea. This causes the skin on the nose to become thick and is most common in men.
4. Ocular rosacea: common symptoms include itching, redness, and burning in the eyes.

What type of rosacea does Soolantra treat?

Soolantra is best used for inflammatory acne rosacea (with spots), as it can reduce the symptoms that are caused by this type of rosacea, such as spots and pimples on the face. It should never be used in or around the eyes, so those with ocular rosacea must talk to their doctor about a different option.

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Soolantra can only be prescribed to you, as it contains a medication called Ivermectin. This medication is known as an anti-inflammatory, meaning it reduces swelling and irritation. As those with acne rosacea get swelling on the face due to spots and pimples, Soolantra can reduce the size of spots and pimples, making them less visible and sore. It also acts by killing the Demodex skin mites that may also cause symptoms of rosacea.

What causes rosacea?

Rosacea does not have a common cause but there are certain things that may trigger it, like:

• spicy foods
• hot drinks
• alcohol
• intense exercise, such as running
• cheese
• caffeine 

How quickly does Soolantra take to work?

As with all medication, Soolantra cream will work differently for each individual but used daily it can reduce symptoms within as little as 2 weeks. 

How effective is Soolantra?

Soolantra can be an effective treatment for acne rosacea when used daily. In a clinical trial, on week 12, more than 60% of patients who used Ivermectin 1% cream, said their rosacea symptoms were now good, or very good. Soolantra is best used to reduce acne rosacea spots but may not help with the redness associated with rosacea. Mirvaso may be used alongside Soolantra to reduce redness. 

Soolantra is most effective when used on a daily basis, such as in the morning before you put on any makeup or skincare products. Soolantra is more effective than many cosmetic products as rather than covering the skin, it works to reduce swelling over time. Like with all medications, the effectiveness of Soolantra on your skin will only be known through proper treatment. Avoiding common rosacea triggers can also help with the effectiveness of Soolantra.

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Soolantra cream is used on affected areas of the skin, avoiding sensitive areas such as the eyes, lips and inside the nose. You should apply Soolantra cream once daily. Never use more than 1 pea sized amount of the product on each area of the face (nose, forehead, chin, and each cheek) in a day.

You should use Soolantra cream first, and allow it to dry, before applying any other products. Avoid triggers for rosacea and protect the face from harsh weather conditions to get the most out of Soolantra. 

When should I use Soolantra?

Soolantra should be used when you see swelling and spots or pimples appearing on the face due to rosacea. It should be used daily. If you miss a dose, you may find the inflammation or spots get worse again. Take the medicine again as normal the following day and never use a double dose.

Always use before applying any skincare or cosmetics. Soolantra can be used for up to 4 months, or advised by your doctor. Speak to your doctor if after 3 months you do not see your symptoms getting better, as you may need to try a different type of treatment

Should I use Soolantra in the morning or at night?

When you use Soolantra cream is up to you and when your symptoms are worst. If you want the most from your cream, it may be best to use in the morning before anything else and allow it to dry. Making it part of your daily skincare routine can help you to remember to use it daily. 

How can I get the most out of Soolantra?

There are a few things you should do and other things you should avoid to get the most out of your Soolantra cream and improve your rosacea symptoms.

When using Soolantra you should:

• cover the face to protect the skin in very cold weather
• manage stress
• use an SPF moisturiser daily, after application of Soolantra cream
• only use skincare products made for sensitive skin
• avoid humid, hot conditions (where possible)
• use daily

When using Soolantra you should avoid:

• alcohol
• too much caffeine
• hot drinks
• spicy food
• cheese
• too much intense exercise, such as running 
• menthol or witch hazel products

These are all triggers that may make your symptoms worse.

Other treatments that are commonly used for rosacea include Mirvaso gel, which reduces redness and size of blood vessels, and Metronidazole, which is best for reducing swelling and pimple outbreaks.

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Soolantra cannot be supplied over the counter due to it being a prescription drug. It is currently not used by the NHS but can be found online, from trusted sellers such as Superdrug Online Doctor. 

Can I get Soolantra on the NHS?

Some GPs may be able to provide Soolantra on the NHS. You will need to speak to your GP to find out if they can provide it where you live.

Can I buy Soolantra online?

Yes, through trusted and regulated sellers like Superdrug Online Doctor. The process is easy and can be done via our website: 

1. Fill in a short questionnaire about yourself and your symptoms. 
2. One of our doctors will review your questionnaire and decide if the treatment is suitable for you. 
3. Your prescription Soolantra can be collected in-store at any Superdrug, delivered to your home address, or collected at your local Post Office. 
4. If you have any questions you can contact a doctor via your account at any time 

Can I get Soolantra over the counter?

As Soolantra is a prescription medicine, it cannot be found over the counter. 

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Like every medication, Soolantra cream may have some side effects. The most common are burning or redness that is worse after using. Soolantra cream can cause allergic reactions in rare cases and you must stop treatment and call 111 (or 999 in severe cases), if you develop signs of an allergic reaction. If you develop any of the below side effects, stop use and rinse the skin immediately before speaking with your doctor.

The most common side effects include:

• burning

Uncommon side effects include:

• itching
• irritation
• dry skin
• worsening of rosacea

Side effects that may also occur include:

• redness
• swelling of the face or skin
• increase in some liver enzymes

There is not enough available data yet to know how common these side effects might be.

Soolantra Redness

It is possible that the use of Soolantra may make your rosacea redder than it was before you started using it. This is uncommon and usually happens when you first start using treatment. It should go away within 1 week of use, if not talk to your doctor. 

Can Soolantra make Rosacea worse?

Soolantra is used as a treatment for the symptoms of acne rosacea but can sometimes make rosacea worse. If you notice more redness when you start treatment, try it for 1 week and see if this stops on its own. If not, speak with your doctor about another option. If the redness is bad, stop treatment right away.

Does Soolantra make skin worse first?

Soolantra should not make your skin worse first but in uncommon cases, it can cause redness. If you get any other worsening of your symptoms, you may be allergic to Soolantra and should stop use and speak with your doctor. 

What to do if you get Soolantra side effects

If you get any side effects from Soolantra, make sure to stop use of the cream straight away. Speak to a doctor about what treatment may be better. If you get any side effects of Soolantra that are not listed as common or uncommon, you should go to A&E.

You can also report side effects through the Yellow Card Scheme.

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IVERMECTIN (2021) BNF [Accessed 23 June 2021]

Rosacea (2021) NHS [Accessed 22 June 2021]

Rosacea (2021) WebMD [Accessed 22 June 2021]

Soolantra (2021) Galderma Laboratories [Accessed 23 June 2021]

Soolantra (Ivermectin) 1% Cream: A Novel, Antibiotic-Free Agent Approved for the Treatment of Patients with Rosacea (2015) National Center for Biotechnology Information [Accessed 23 June 2021]

Soolantra 10mg/g Cream (2020) Datapharm [Accessed 23 June 2021]

Yellowcard (2021) Yellowcard [Accessed 22 June 2021]

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