Rozex 0.75% Cream

What is rosacea?

Rosacea is a skin condition that causes redness, visible blood vessels in your face, and small, red, pus-filled bumps. They usually appear across the nose and cheeks. It’s a long-term condition that’s more common in women than men, particularly those with lighter skin tones. The underlying cause is unknown; however, triggers include alcohol, spicy food, hot drinks and exposure to sunlight.

Do I have rosacea or acne?

Rosacea is commonly confused with acne, as the two conditions can look similar due to the appearance of raised and bumpy skin; however, they do have different symptoms. Rosacea tends to only affect the centre of the face, whereas acne can appear on the face, neck, back and other areas of the body. Additionally, acne is a result of hormonal changes in the body, which is why it tends to affect teenagers (although adult acne can occur), while rosacea is more common among those over 30 years of age.

Read more in our Acne or Mild Rosacea guide.

How does Rozex Gel work?

Rozex Gel works quickly to treat rosacea, a chronic condition caused by inflammation. Rosacea usually occurs on the cheeks, nose, forehead, chin and eyelids. It can result in acne-like outbreaks or increased redness in these areas of the face. When you apply Rozex Gel or Cream, it treats the skin infections that cause or worsen skin irritation, bringing down the inflammation and redness.

Once you start using Rozex, it will usually take two to three months for the skin to become clear from spots. Even if you’re not seeing results after several weeks, it is recommended that you finish the prescribed treatment. Treatment with Rozex Gel doesn’t normally go on longer than four months (your doctor will inform you if there's a good reason to use it for longer than that). Read our full guide on how long Rozex takes to work for a better understanding of what to expect.

Metronidazole — a powerful antibiotic

Rozex works because of metronidazole, its active ingredient. Metronidazole belongs to a group of medicines called nitroimidazole antibiotics. It is used to treat infections caused by bacteria and other microorganisms called protozoa. It eliminates them by damaging their DNA, leaving them unable to multiply.

How to apply Rozex cream

To apply Rozex cream, simply follow these steps:

• First, wash and dry the affected areas of your skin.
• Apply a thin layer of the cream to all the affected areas. Rub the gel in well.
• Always replace the cap and wash your hands after use.
• Rozex Gel should be used in this way twice a day, morning and evening.

If used for three to four months, Rozexc ream should help clear up your rosacea (Rozex cream should be used for a minimum of three months to see the full effect). If your rosacea has not fully cleared up after three or four months, you might want to undergo another three to four-month course of treatment. See what your doctor recommends.

Applying Rozex cream when pregnant or breastfeeding

Metronidazole, the active ingredient in Rozex, enters the bloodstream in low amounts after being applied, and it’s unknown how that might affect a pregnancy or a breastfed baby. Unless your GP says otherwise, do not use Rozex while pregnant or breastfeeding.

Rozex ingredients

Rozex contains 0.75% w/w of the active substance Metronidazole which is mainly used to treat the symptoms of rosacea. Because of its potency, it is classified as a prescription-only medicine, and every 50g tube of cream comes with a comprehensive Patient Information Leaflet.

The other ingredients are as follows:

• Emulsifying wax (cetostearyl alcohol and polysorbate-60)
• Benzyl alcohol (E1519)
  
• Isopropyl palmitate
  
• Glycerol
  
• Sorbitol 70% (non-crystallising)
  
• lactic acid and/or Sodium Hydroxide (for pH adjustment)
  
• Purified Water

Be sure to speak to a doctor or pharmacist before and during your Rozex treatment.

Rozex side effects

Like all medicines, Rozex can cause side effects, which are most likely to occur at the start of treatment. Most side effects last for less than a week and are mild.

Common side effects of Rozex cream can include:

• Dry skin
• Redness of the skin (erythema)
• Itching of the skin (pruritus)
• Skin discomfort (burning, pain, stinging)
• Skin irritation
• Worsening of rosacea

If you experience side effects when using Rozex cream, you can try decreasing the frequency of application to once daily for a week or so, then build back up to twice daily if the side effects have abated. For further information on Rozex cream and its side effects, see the Patient Information Leaflet contained within your medicine, or consult our medical team.

Rozex warnings

Do not use Rozex if you are allergic to metronidazole or any of the other listed ingredients. An allergic reaction to Rozex may produce a rash or itching. Do not use Rozex while pregnant or breastfeeding unless a doctor says it’s essential.

Before using Rozex, talk to a doctor or pharmacist, and take the following precautions:

• Avoid contact with the eyes. If you get Rozex cream in your eyes, rinse thoroughly with large amounts of warm water or eye wash until it’s completely gone from the area.
• If you suffer from any blood disorders, be sure to get confirmation from your doctor that Rozex is safe for you before you use it.
• Do not use Rozex to treat children.
• Avoid strong sunlight (including sunbathing) and exposure to ultraviolet light (eg. solariums, sun lamps) while you are using Rozex.
• Once your rosacea has fully cleared up, stop your course of treatment.

If you are taking, have recently taken, or intend to take any other medicines in the near future, inform your doctor before using Rozex. It could interfere with certain other drugs used to reduce blood clotting (anticoagulants) such as warfarin and dicoumarin.

Because metronidazole can react with alcohol (and contains cetostearyl alcohol), it is advised that you avoid alcohol while using Rozex gel.

Rozex 0.75% Gel Patient Information Leaflet:

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.924.pdf

Alternative medical treatments for rosacea

Rosacea is a chronic skin condition that primarily affects the face, causing redness, visible blood vessels, and sometimes acne-like bumps. While medical treatments prescribed by a healthcare provider are often necessary to manage rosacea, some alternative and complementary therapies may help alleviate symptoms or provide additional relief. Keep in mind that the effectiveness of these approaches can vary from person to person, and it's important to consult with a healthcare provider before trying any new treatments. Here are some alternative treatments for rosacea:

Topical Anti-Inflammatory Agents:

1. Azelaic acid (Finacea, Azelex)
2. Topical corticosteroids (short-term use in some cases, under medical supervision)
3. Oral Antibiotics:
   • Doxycycline (Oracea, Vibramycin)
   • Tetracycline
   • Minocycline (Minocin)
   • Erythromycin
   • Metronidazole (Flagyl) in oral form for certain cases
4. Isotretinoin:
   • Isotretinoin (Accutane) may be prescribed for severe cases of rosacea, particularly for ocular rosacea or phymatous rosacea. It is a potent medication with potential side effects, so its use should be closely monitored by a healthcare provider.
5. Oral Anti-Inflammatory Agents:
   • Low-dose oral corticosteroids may be used in some severe cases but are generally avoided due to potential side effects.
6. Oral Medications for Ocular Rosacea:
   • Oral antibiotics such as doxycycline and tetracycline are sometimes used to manage ocular symptoms.
7. Laser and Light Therapies:
   • Laser and intense pulsed light (IPL) treatments may help reduce redness and visible blood vessels associated with rosacea.
8. Brimonidine Gel (Mirvaso):
   • Brimonidine gel is used to reduce facial redness in erythematotelangiectatic rosacea.

It's important to note that treatment plans for rosacea are highly individualized, and not all patients will require the same medications. The choice of medication and the duration of treatment will be determined by a healthcare provider based on the specific symptoms, subtype, and response to treatment. It's crucial to follow your healthcare provider's recommendations and attend regular follow-up appointments to monitor the progress of your treatment. Additionally, lifestyle modifications, such as avoiding triggers and using gentle skincare, are often recommended as part of the overall management of rosacea.