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Azelaic Acid Brand Names
Azelex | Finacea | Finacea Plus | Finevin
What is Azelaic Acid
Azelaic acid is a topical anti-acne agent.
Azelaic acid is a naturally occurring dietary constituent (whole grain and animal products) and can be formed endogenously from longer-chain dicarboxylic acids, metabolism of oleic acid, and omega-oxidation of monocarboxylic acids.
Azelaic acid is used as a treatment for acne vulgaris and is one of the leading treatments for this condition in Europe where it has been marketed as a 20% cream since 1989 by Schering.
The drug is also effective for reducing the number of inflammatory pustules and papules associated with rosacea.
Reduction in erythema may occur; however, efficacy has not been established for erythema associated with rosacea without papules and pustules.
Azelaic acid has been administered orally and intravenously; however, only a topical formulation is marketed in the United States.
The drug was originally FDA approved as a 20% cream for the treatment of acne vulgaris in September 1995; several brand name creams are now available.
A 15% topical gel and foam were FDA-approved for the treatment of rosacea in December 2002 and July 2015, respectively
Indications
- acne rosacea
- acne vulgaris
- lentigo maligna
- malignant melanoma
- melasma
- Propionibacterium acnes
- Staphylococcus epidermidis
Side Effects
- angioedema
- contact dermatitis
- dyspnea
- edema
- erythema
- hypertrichosis
- ocular inflammation
- paresthesias
- pruritus
- rash
- skin hypopigmentation
- skin irritation
- urticaria
- wheezing
- xerosis
Monitoring Parameters
- laboratory monitoring not necessary
Contraindications
- asthma
- breast-feeding
- children
- deterioration of asthma
- herpes infection
- infants
- neonates
- occlusive dressing
- ocular exposure
- pregnancy
Interactions
There are no drug interactions associated with Azelaic Acid products.