Finacea gel

Finacea gel is a topical acne treatment that contains the active ingredient azelaic acid. It is used to treat mild to moderate papulopustular acne on the face and is applied twice a day to clean, dry skin. Finacea gel works by reducing inflammation, unclogging pores, and killing acne-causing bacteria to improve the appearance of your skin. It is only available with a prescription from a doctor.

Finacea gel contains 15% azelaic acid, an anti-acne preparation, which works by:

• killing bacteria that cause acne
• blocking the growth and production of keratin skin cells to unblock pores
• reducing swelling and inflammation to improve the skin’s appearance

How long does Finacea gel take to work?

Many people notice improvements in acne within the first 4 weeks of using Finacea gel. However, it can take up to 12 weeks to see the full benefits of Finacea for acne.

How long does Finacea gel last?

Finacea gel will only remain effective for as long as you use it. It is common for acne symptoms to return after stopping treatment, especially if the underlying causes are still present.

A 30g tube of Finacea should last around 6 weeks when used twice daily.

How effective is Finacea gel?

Finacea for acne has been shown to be effective in several studies. One study looking at the effectiveness of 15% azelaic acid gel found that after 16 weeks, 69% of people were rated as clear of acne. The same study found that by week 4, there was an average reduction in acne lesions of 48%. The researchers concluded that the twice-daily use of Finacea 15% gel was both safe and effective for acne.

Another study found that 15% azelaic gel reduced facial papules and pustules by 70 to 71%, compared with 77% with benzoyl peroxide and 63% with clindamycin. However, 74% of people were “very satisfied” with the 15% azelaic acid treatment.

Finacea gel is applied directly to the skin and should be used exactly as your doctor tells you.

To apply Finacea for acne, you should:

1. Wash your face thoroughly with water and a mild cleanser if you would like to, and then dry.
2. Apply the gel to the affected areas; about 2.5cm (0.5g) of gel is enough to cover the whole of the face.
3. Wash and dry your hands after use.

Do not apply any dressing or wrappings to the face after you have applied the gel.

When to take Finacea gel

Finacea azelaic acid gel is applied twice daily, usually once in the morning and once in the evening.

How long do you need to take Finacea gel for?

Finacea gel is intended to be a long-term acne treatment, but most people do not need to use it for longer than 6 months. If your symptoms have not improved after 1 month, your doctor may advise you to stop using it and try an alternative acne treatment.

Finacea dosage

The usual Finacea for acne dosage is twice daily. 0.5g is enough to cover the whole face.

Like all medications, Finacea gel can cause side effects, but not everyone will get them.

Very common side effects, affecting more than 1 in 10 people, are:

• burning
• pain
• itching

Common side effects, affecting up to 1 in 10 people, include:

• rash
• tingling or numbness
• dry skin

Uncommon side effects, affecting up to 1 in 100 people, are:

• skin reaction (contact dermatitis)
• unusual skin redness (erythema)
• scaling
• warmth
• skin discolouration

Rare side effects, affecting up to 1 in 10,000 people, are:

• skin irritation
• urticaria (hives)
• worsening of asthma

For a full list of Finacea gel side effects, please read the patient information leaflet.

How long do Finacea gel side effects last?

Most Finacea gel side effects are mild and temporary, improving as your skin gets used to the medication. If your symptoms have not improved or are worse after 4 weeks, you should contact your doctor, who may tell you to stop using Finacea.

What to do if you get Finacea gel side effects

If you get mild side effects, keep using Finacea to see if they improve on their own. Make sure you clean your face before applying the gel. If your symptoms have not improved after 4 weeks, speak to your doctor about alternative acne treatments.

If you get any of the following serious side effects after applying Finacea for acne, see a doctor straight away or, in case of emergency, call 999 or get someone to take you to A&E:

• rapid swelling under the skin (angioedema)
• eye swelling
• swelling face
• shortness of breath

Finacea gel may not be suitable for everyone, and you must not use it if you are allergic to azelaic acid or any other ingredients it contains. You should also let your doctor know if you have asthma, because on rare occasions it has been reported that azelaic acid can make asthma symptoms worse.

Finacea gel and other medications

Before using Finacea gel, tell your doctor if you are taking any prescribed, over-the-counter, or herbal medications, so they can assess if it is safe for you to use. You should not apply any other medications or treatments to your face at the same time as Finacea.

Can I use Finacea gel if I am pregnant or breastfeeding?

You must tell your doctor before using Finacea gel if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, think you might be pregnant, or plan to have a baby. There is little research into the use of azelaic acid during pregnancy, so your doctor will need to decide if it is safe for you to use it. Babies should not come into contact with skin treated with azelaic acid.

Finacea is a prescription-only acne treatment that can be obtained via trusted online doctor services, or it may be available on the NHS.

Can I buy Finacea gel online?

Yes, you can get Finacea gel from Asda Online Doctor by:

1. Completing a short online health consultation.
2. One of our doctors will review your answers and make sure the inhaler is right for you.
3. If your request is approved, your medication can be posted to your home address, or you can choose to collect it from a local Asda Pharmacy.

Getting your acne treatment from us is easy and convenient. Our doctors can prescribe treatment using your questionnaire answers and photos of the affected area, without the need for a face-to-face appointment. We can then discreetly deliver your medication to your home address.

Can I buy Finacea gel over the counter?

No, you cannot buy Finacea over-the-counter as it is a prescription-only medication. There are many over-the-counter medications available for mild acne, which can be bought in most UK pharmacies, but they will not contain azelaic acid.

Can I get Finacea gel on the NHS?

Yes, Finacea gel is available on the NHS with a prescription, but you will need to make an appointment with a doctor to find out if it is available in your area.

Finacea gel isn’t the only acne treatment available, so if you cannot use azelaic acid, are looking for a more cost-effective option, or want to combine your treatment with antibiotic tablets, we can help. At Asda Online Doctor, we offer the following acne treatments:

• Lymecycline and Epiduo gel – Lymecycline capsules are antibiotics that kill acne-causing bacteria and reduce inflammation, while Epiduo gel contains adapalene and benzoyl peroxide, which is applied directly to the affected area of skin to stop your pores from becoming blocked and reduce bacteria on the skin surface
• Zineryt – a topical solution that contains an antibiotic called erythromycin to reduce bacterial growth on the skin and zinc acetate, which has anti-inflammatory properties, improve the appearance of acne-prone skin
• Aknemycin Plus – contains erythromycin, which is an antibiotic, and tretinoin, a type of retinoid, that together kill bacteria, reduce oil production, and stop new spots from developing
• Differin – available as Differin Gel or Differin Cream, which contains 0.1% adapalene, a topical retinoid (vitamin A) that works to treat acne by regulating skin cell turnover, unclogging pores, reducing inflammation, and preventing breakouts
• Skinoren – similar to Finacea gel, Skinoren cream also contains the active ingredient, azelaic acid, but in a higher 20% concentration – also available in combination with Doxycycline 100mg capsules

Finacea gel vs Skinoren

Finacea gel and Skinoren cream contain the same active ingredient, azelaic acid, but in different concentrations. Finacea gel contains 15% azelaic acid and is a milder gel which is often the preferred treatment for rosacea or sensitive skin, while Skinoren is a stroger 20% cream that’s used to treat moderate acne, rosacea, and scars.

At Asda Online Doctor, we can prescribe either Finacea gel or Skinoren based on your symptoms, needs, and skin sensitivity.

Finacea gel vs Soolantra

Finacea gel is used to treat mild acne and rosacea, while Soolantra contains an anti-parasitic active ingredient called ivermectin, which targets Demodex mites believed to trigger rosacea. Soolantra isn’t usually prescribed to treat acne.