Azelex Cream: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Azelex Cream is a prescription topical medicine containing azelaic acid, used to treat mild-to-moderate acne with pimples and inflamed bumps. It is applied directly to the skin twice daily and works by fighting acne-causing bacteria, unclogging pores, and reducing redness and swelling. Common side effects include skin burning, stinging, or dryness, while serious reactions such as allergic responses require prompt medical attention. It is available as a cream and should be used exactly as directed by a doctor.

What is Azelex Cream

Azelex is a prescription cream applied to the skin that contains azelaic acid. It is used to treat mild-to-moderate acne with pimples and inflamed bumps.

Azelex Cream uses

• Treatment of papules and pustules in adults with mild-to-moderate acne
• Topical treatment of mild-to-moderate inflammatory acne vulgaris

Benefits of Azelex Cream

• Applied to the skin, which is convenient for people who don't like pills
• Less likely to cause skin irritation than some other topical acne medications
• Can be stored at room temperature

How Azelex Cream works

The exact way azelaic acid works is not fully known, but it appears to fight the bacteria that cause acne, help unclog pores, and reduce redness and swelling.

Azelex Cream dosage

Wash your hands before and after applying this medicine. Clean the affected area with a mild soap or soap-free cleansing lotion and pat dry with a soft towel before applying. Apply as a thin film to the affected skin areas twice a day, in the morning and evening. Gently but thoroughly massage the cream into the skin.

Do not apply to sunburned, windburned, dry, chapped, irritated, or broken skin. Do not cover the treated skin with a bandage unless your doctor tells you to. Avoid getting the cream in your eyes, mouth, nose, or other mucous membranes; rinse with water if this happens.

Your symptoms may not improve for several weeks; contact your doctor if there is no improvement after about 12 weeks of treatment. This medicine is for use on the skin only and should not be taken by mouth. Use for the full length of time your doctor prescribes.

Available forms and strengths

• Cream

Side effects of Azelex Cream

Common

• Pain, burning, stinging, or tingling of the skin
• Dry or scaly skin
• Itching or other irritation

Serious

• Severe burning, stinging, or warmth
• Severe itching or tingling
• Severe redness, dryness, peeling, or other irritation
• Changes in skin color
• New or worsening breathing problems

Warnings and precautions

• This medicine is for use on the skin only and should not be used in or near the eyes.
• Some people have developed lighter patches of skin after using azelaic acid. People with darker skin should watch for early signs of this and tell their doctor.
• Do not use this medicine if you are allergic to azelaic acid, propylene glycol, or any of its ingredients.
• Tell your doctor if you have ever had asthma, since azelaic acid use has rarely been linked to worsening asthma.
• This medicine is not approved for use in anyone younger than 18 years old.
• Safety and effectiveness have not been established in children under 12 years of age.
• Avoid using other skin products on treated areas, including harsh soaps, cleansers, or products containing alcohol, spices, astringents, or lime, unless your doctor approves.
• For external dermatologic use only; do not use in the eyes. Avoid the mouth and other mucous membranes.
• Avoid occlusive dressings or tight coverings over the treated area.
• May cause temporary burning, stinging, itching, tingling, dryness, redness, or irritation, especially during the beginning of treatment.
• If severe or persistent irritation develops, reduce use or discontinue treatment and consult a healthcare professional.
• Use caution on broken or inflamed skin, as irritation may be stronger.
• Do not use if you are allergic to azelaic acid or any ingredient. Stop treatment if significant allergic reactions occur.
• Rare cases of hypopigmentation have been reported. People with darker complexions should monitor for unusual lightening of the skin.
• Your doctor may recommend avoiding alcoholic drinks during treatment, since they may cause flushing or redness of the skin.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Because the medicine should not be absorbed much into the body, animal studies did not show birth defects, but there are no well-controlled studies in pregnant women, so it should be used only if clearly needed.
• Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding, and avoid applying this medicine to the nipple area. Caution should be used since the drug may pass into breast milk in small amounts.
• Wash your hands after application and avoid unnecessary contact with the eyes.

Storage

• Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
• Protect from freezing. Store product on its side.
• Store between 15° and 30°C (59° and 86°F).

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction, such as hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Stop using this medicine and call your doctor right away if you have severe burning, stinging, warmth, itching, redness, dryness, peeling, other irritation, changes in skin color, or new or worsening breathing problems.
• Call your doctor if you have ongoing eye irritation after the medicine gets in your eyes, even after rinsing with water.
• Seek emergency medical attention or contact poison control if someone accidentally swallows this medicine.
• Call your doctor if your acne symptoms do not improve after about 12 weeks of treatment.

Alternatives

• Finacea (azelaic acid 15%)
• Benzoyl peroxide
• Adapalene