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Ivermectin: A Review in Rosacea

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Abstract

Ivermectin 1 % cream (Soolantra®; Rosiver™; Izefla®) is a novel topical agent indicated for the once-daily treatment of inflammatory lesions of rosacea. Ivermectin is a derivative of the avermectin family of macrocyclic lactone parasiticides. It displays anti-inflammatory properties as well as broad-spectrum anti-parasitic activity, both of which may contribute to its efficacy in treating rosacea. In phase III trials of 12 or 16 weeks’ duration in adults with moderate to severe papulopustular rosacea, once-daily ivermectin 1 % cream improved the symptoms of rosacea (as per Investigator Global Assessment and inflammatory lesion count) and health-related quality of life versus vehicle, and was more effective than twice-daily metronidazole 0.75 % cream in terms of these measures. Ivermectin 1 % cream continues to provide benefit for up to 52 weeks of treatment, according to extension studies, and is well tolerated, with the most common treatment-related adverse events (skin burning sensation, pruritus, dry skin and skin irritation) each occurring with low incidence (<2 %). Thus, ivermectin 1 % cream is an effective and well tolerated option for the topical treatment of inflammatory lesions of rosacea, with the convenience of once-daily application.

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Disclosure

The preparation of this review was not supported by any external funding. During the peer review process, the manufacturer of the agent under review was offered an opportunity to comment on this article. Changes resulting from comments received were made by the author(s) on the basis of scientific and editorial merit. Emma Deeks is a salaried employee of Adis/Springer.

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    Emma D. Deeks

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Correspondence to Emma D. Deeks.

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The manuscript was reviewed by: B. E. Elewski, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, USA; L. Stein Gold, Department of Dermatology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI, USA.

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Deeks, E.D. Ivermectin: A Review in Rosacea. Am J Clin Dermatol 16, 447–452 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40257-015-0150-8

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