Soolantra Cream Side Effects: How Soolantra Works And Treats Rosacea

Andy BoysanBPharmDirector & Superintendent Pharmacist

Reviewed on: 3 Jan 2022

Soolantra Cream is a medication that is used to treat rosacea, an acne-like skin condition that affects adults.

In this guide, we’ve answered the most frequently asked questions people have about Soolantra Cream. Learn more about Soolantra side effects, how the medication works, and whether it combines safely with other medications.

What is Soolantra Cream used for?

Soolantra Cream is used to treat rosacea, a skin condition that is often thought of as adult acne. Symptoms of rosacea include redness on the cheeks, nose, chin and forehead, which are caused when facial blood vessels enlarge. Depending on the type of rosacea, it can also include bumps and blemishes.

Soolantra Cream contains ivermectin. This active ingredient is an anti-inflammatory and anti-parasitic that provides an effective treatment for both rosacea and Demodex mites (a known cause of rosacea).

Available in 30g tubes, Soolantra Cream is a prescription-only topical treatment medication.

Does Soolantra Cream cause side effects?

Like all other rosacea treatments, Soolantra Cream can cause side effects. Before using the medication for the first time, it’s impossible to tell how your body will react. However, Soolantra Cream is known to trigger the following common and uncommon side effects.

Common side effects

Experienced by one in 10 people, common side effects of Soolantra Cream include:

A burning sensation on the skin after application

Uncommon side effects

Experienced by one in 100 people, uncommon side effects of Soolantra Cream include:

Irritation of the skin
Itching of the skin
Dry skin

Can Soolantra Cream cause an allergic reaction?

Although it is very rare, Soolantra Cream can cause a serious allergic reaction. Symptoms of an allergic reaction to Soolantra Cream include:

A rash
Itching
Swelling of the face, tongue or throat
Dizziness
Trouble breathing

If you experience any of the potential allergic reactions listed above after taking Soolantra Cream, you should contact your doctor immediately for further advice.

Can you use Soolantra Cream with alcohol?

Soolantra Cream contains the active ingredient ivermectin. When combined with alcohol, ivermectin can increase your chances of experiencing side effects. For this reason, it is recommended that you limit your intake of alcohol while using Soolantra Cream.

How do you use Soolantra Cream?

The recommended dose of Soolantra Cream is a pea-sized amount of cream, applied once a day. The best time to use Soolantra Cream is either day or night; when you wake up or before you go to bed, but keep the time consistent each day.

For the best results, apply the required amount of Soolantra Cream to the five areas of your face commonly affected by rosacea (forehead, chin, nose and both cheeks), creating a thin layer of cream across your entire face.

When applying Soolantra Cream, be careful to avoid your eyes, eyelids, lips and the inside of your nose or mouth. If you do get cream in any of these areas by accident, wash them with water immediately. You should also wash your hands immediately after applying Soolantra Cream.

It’s also recommended that you do not apply other facial creams or make-up before the daily application of Soolantra Cream.

How long does it take for Soolantra Cream to work?

Every case of rosacea is different. Your doctor or pharmacist will offer advice on how long you should use Soolantra Cream to treat your rosacea. This will be based on the severity of your condition, and you should always complete the recommended course of treatment.

On average, it can take four weeks of using Soolantra Cream to see an improvement. If you do not see any improvement after three months of using the medication, you may need to go back and see your doctor for further advice or an alternative rosacea treatment.

How effective is Soolantra Cream?

A recent 12-week clinical trial for Soolantra Cream concluded that the medication is highly effective for treating rosacea.

Before and after using Soolantra Cream, subjects applying the cream rated the improvement in their rosacea as excellent or very good, compared with less than 40% of patients who received an alternative cream in the study.

Is Soolantra Cream suitable for long-term use?

The recommended course of Soolantra is one application of cream a day for up to four months. If you do not see an improvement in your rosacea after this time, you will need to talk to your doctor. They will most likely recommend that you stop using the medication and try an alternative treatment if Soolantra Cream has not been successful after 12 weeks.

Can you mix Soolantra Cream with other medicines?

Taking any drugs comes with a small chance of experiencing side effects. Combining different medications increases the overall risk while introducing the additional danger of interactions between medicines.

Before using Soolantra Cream, make a list of all the prescription and non-prescription medicines you are using (including herbal and non-herbal remedies). Your doctor or pharmacist will then be able to offer advice on any possible drug interactions that could be dangerous when combined with Soolantra.

Are there any other treatments for rosacea?

In addition to Soolantra Cream, there are a variety of other medications you can use to treat rosacea, including:

For more information about other treatment options, read our guide comparing Soolantra to Finacea and other prescription rosacea medications.

Summary

Soolantra Cream is an effective treatment for rosacea. Although some people may experience side effects when using the medication, Soolantra Cream is safe to use.

If you have rosacea, you can buy Soolantra Cream direct from The Independent Pharmacy. Available after a free consultation with a trained pharmacist, you can receive your medication the next day, delivered straight to your door in plain and discreet packaging.

To learn more about alternative treatments, visit our rosacea treatments page.

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