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

Quick overview

Soolantra Cream is a prescription topical cream containing ivermectin, used to treat the inflammatory bumps and pimples caused by rosacea in adults. It belongs to the antiparasitic (avermectin) drug class. The cream is applied once daily to affected areas of the face and may help reduce redness, inflammation, and other rosacea symptoms over time.

What is Soolantra Cream

Soolantra is a prescription topical cream used on the skin to treat the bumps and pimples (inflammatory lesions) caused by rosacea in adults. It contains the active ingredient ivermectin.

Soolantra Cream uses

• Papulopustular rosacea
• Inflammatory facial bumps
• Redness associated with rosacea
• Inflamed facial skin associated with rosacea
• Persistent rosacea-related skin lesions

Benefits of Soolantra Cream

• Helps reduce facial redness.
• Reduces inflammatory skin bumps.
• Helps improve rosacea symptoms.
• Reduces skin inflammation.
• Helps improve overall skin appearance.

How Soolantra Cream works

The exact way Soolantra works for rosacea isn't fully known, but ivermectin is thought to reduce inflammation and act against tiny skin mites (Demodex mites) that may contribute to rosacea symptoms.

Soolantra Cream dosage

Apply to the affected areas of the face once a day. Use a pea-sized amount for each affected area of the face (forehead, chin, nose, and each cheek). Spread the cream smoothly and evenly in a thin layer, avoiding the eyes and lips. Wash your hands after applying the cream. Apply after your usual face-cleansing routine and before any cosmetics or sunscreen.

You may apply it in the morning or at night — the timing doesn't change how well it works, so pick whatever time suits you. Do not use inside the mouth, in the eyes, or inside the vagina. If cream gets into the eyes, nose, mouth, or vagina, rinse the area right away with plenty of water.

If you miss a dose, apply it the next day at your regular time — do not apply a double amount to make up for a missed dose. This medicine is not recommended for use in children under 18 years. Soolantra is meant to be used as a long-term treatment if you and your doctor find it is working well for you.

Available forms and strengths

• Cream, 1%

Side effects of Soolantra Cream

Common

• Skin burning sensation
• Skin irritation
• Itching of the skin
• Dry skin
• Redness
• Worsening of rosacea symptoms (rosacea aggravation)
• Swelling of the face

Serious

• Severe allergic reaction with shortness of breath, wheezing, or difficulty breathing
• Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or other parts of the body
• Rash, itching, or hives of the skin
• Liver enzyme elevations
• Contact dermatitis and allergic dermatitis

Warnings and precautions

• Soolantra is for use on the skin only. Do not use it in your mouth, eyes, or vagina. Do not use Soolantra if you are allergic to ivermectin or to any of the ingredients in the cream. 
• Do not apply the cream under dressings or over large areas of skin unless your doctor tells you to. Do not give this medicine to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms. 
• Using more than the recommended amount can increase the risk of side effects, including dangerously low blood pressure that may need hospital treatment.
• It isn't known for certain whether Soolantra is safe during pregnancy. Because very little of the drug is absorbed through the skin, any risk is expected to be low, but you should talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks.
• It isn't known whether ivermectin passes into breast milk when Soolantra is applied to the skin. Talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby while using this medicine.
• Tell your doctor if you have or have had kidney disease before using Soolantra.
• Tell your doctor if you have or have had liver disease before using Soolantra. Liver enzyme changes have been reported as a serious side effect.
• There are no known interactions between Soolantra and alcohol, but alcohol may make rosacea worse in some people, so you may wish to limit alcohol if it triggers your symptoms.

Storage

• Store at room temperature between 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C)
• For short periods, such as when traveling, it can be kept between 59°F and 86°F (15°C and 30°C)
• Avoid storing in areas where it could get damp or wet, such as bathrooms
• Do not freeze
• Do not store in a bathroom, near a sink, or on a windowsill
• Do not leave it in a car
• Keep out of the reach of children and away from pets
• Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of unused or expired medicine

When to see a doctor

Get medical help right away if you have signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as rash, hives, itching, trouble breathing, tightness in the chest, or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue. Stop using Soolantra and get emergency help if you have shortness of breath, wheezing, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or other body parts, or a rash, itching, or hives.

If the cream is accidentally swallowed, contact your doctor or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away. If you think you or someone else has taken too much Soolantra, call your doctor or poison control right away, even if there are no symptoms, as urgent medical attention may be needed.

Alternatives

• Mirvaso Gel
• MetroCream
• Rozex Cream