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Acido azelaico

Finacea, Skinoren

Apply the preparation twice each day. Use it on all of the area where your spots occur - not just on each spot.

Wash the area with soap and water, and dry it gently, before applying the treatment.

A colpo d'occhio

  • Azelaic acid is a rub-on skin preparation for acne or rosacea.

  • It mainly works by unplugging blocked pores.

  • Apply it twice daily to clean, dry skin, avoiding sensitive areas like eyes and mouth.

  • Possible side-effects include itching, irritation, and redness.

  • Continue treatment for at least one month for acne, or two months for rosacea.

About azelaic acid

Tipo di medicinale

A rub-on (topical) skin preparation for acne or rosacea

Utilizzato per

Acne; rosacea

Chiamato anche

Finacea®; Skinoren®

Disponibile come

Cream or gel

Acne is the common cause of spots. Most people with acne are aged between 12 and 25 years, but some older and younger people are affected too. Small sebaceous glands lie just under your skin surface and make an oil (sebum) that keeps your skin supple and smooth. Tiny pores on your skin allow the sebum to come on to the surface of your skin. In acne, some of these pores become blocked, causing small pimples, blackheads and whiteheads. Azelaic acid skin cream and gel mainly work by unplugging blocked pores

Azelaic acid is also used for rosacea in adults. Rosacea is a skin condition that usually affects parts of your face such as your nose, cheeks and forehead. It is a condition that can often cause spots.

Before using azelaic acid

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start using azelaic acid it is important that your doctor knows:

  • If you are taking any medicines or using any other skin preparations. This includes any which are available to buy without a prescription, as well as herbal and complementary medicines.

  • If you have ever had an allergic reaction to a medicine or skin product.

How to use azelaic acid

  • Before you start the treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack. It will give you more information about azelaic acid and will provide you with a full list of the side-effects which you could experience from using it.

  • It is usually recommended that you use azelaic acid twice each day, in the morning and the evening. Before you apply the treatment, wash the area with soap and water and gently dry it with a towel. Then apply the cream/gel and rub it in gently. If your skin is particularly sensitive, you can apply the preparation just once a day for a few days before increasing it to twice a day.

  • As you apply the cream/gel, try to avoid getting it on the sensitive areas of your skin in or around your nostrils, your eyes and your mouth. Do not apply it to any areas of skin which are irritated or sore.

Ottenere il massimo dal tuo trattamento

  • It is recommended that you use a mild soap and lukewarm water to wash with. Always dry the area gently with a towel before applying the treatment.

  • Continue with the treatment for at least a month if you have acne (or two months for rosacea) before deciding if it is working for you or not. The most common reason for treatment failure is giving up too soon. If, however, your skin has not improved after this time then make an appointment to speak with your doctor who will advise you about other suitable preparations to try.

Can azelaic acid cause problems?

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the most common ones associated with preparations containing azelaic acid. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine. The unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

Very common azelaic acid side-effects (these affect more than 1 in 10 people)

Cosa posso fare se sperimento questo?

Itching, irritation (burning), redness

Reduce the number of times you use the preparation, or stop using it altogether for a few days. When your skin has recovered, start using it again

Common azelaic acid side-effects (these affect fewer than 1 in 10 people)

Cosa posso fare se sperimento questo?

Dry skin, tingling or numbness, rash

If troublesome, reduce the number of times you use the preparation, or stop using it altogether for a few days. When your skin has recovered, start using it again

If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to the preparation, speak with your doctor or pharmacist for further advice.

How to store azelaic acid

  • Tenere tutti i medicinali fuori dalla portata e dalla vista dei bambini.

  • Conservare in un luogo fresco e asciutto, lontano da fonti di calore e luce diretta.

Informazioni importanti su tutti i medicinali

Informazioni importanti su tutti i medicinali

Se acquisti dei medicinali, verifica sempre con un farmacista che siano sicuri da usare con i tuoi altri medicinali.

This preparation is for use on the skin only. If you suspect that someone has swallowed some of it by accident, contact the accident and emergency department of your local hospital for advice.

Se devi sottoporti a un'operazione o a un trattamento dentistico, informa la persona che esegue il trattamento sui medicinali che stai assumendo.

Questo medicinale è per te. Non darlo mai ad altre persone, anche se la loro condizione sembra essere la stessa della tua.

Non conservare medicinali scaduti o indesiderati. Portali alla tua farmacia locale che li smaltirà per te.

Se hai domande su questo medicinale, chiedi al tuo farmacista.

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Domande frequenti

What should I do if I accidentally get azelaic acid in my eyes, mouth, or nostrils?

If azelaic acid gets into sensitive areas like your eyes, mouth, or nostrils, the article advises to avoid applying it to these regions. Though not explicitly stated, general medical guidance for such incidents would be to rinse thoroughly with water, and if irritation persists, consult a healthcare professional. Always try to prevent contact with these sensitive areas when applying the cream or gel.

How long does it take for azelaic acid to work for acne and rosacea?

For acne, it is recommended to continue treatment for at least a month before evaluating its effectiveness. For rosacea, you should continue using it for at least two months. It is important not to stop treatment too soon, as this is a common reason for it not working. If you don't see an improvement after these periods, you should speak with your doctor.

Can I use azelaic acid if my skin is already irritated or sore?

No, the article advises against applying azelaic acid to any areas of skin which are already irritated or sore. It is important to wait until these areas have healed before applying the treatment.

Which specific brands of azelaic acid are mentioned in the article?

The specific brands mentioned in the article are Finacea® and Skinoren®, which are available as cream or gel formulations.

What should I do with expired or unwanted azelaic acid?

You should not keep out-of-date or unwanted medicines. The article advises taking them to your local pharmacy, which will dispose of them for you safely.

Ulteriori letture e riferimenti

Informazioni sull'autoreVisualizza il profilo completo

Immagine dell'autore

Michael Stewart, MRPharmS

Responsabile Revisione Foglietti Illustrativi – Contrattista, Farmacista

BPharm (Hons), MRPharmS

Michael è un farmacista comunitario che esercita nelle Midlands e nel South Yorkshire con oltre 20 anni di esperienza nel consigliare su farmaci e condizioni mediche. Ha una solida esperienza nella formazione sanitaria, avendo prodotto e tenuto corsi di formazione per team di farmacia e personale di strutture di assistenza residenziale, inclusi infermieri. Ha anche contribuito a consigli consultivi farmaceutici per la gestione di condizioni a bassa gravità nella comunità.

Informazioni sul recensore

Immagine dell'autore

Sid Dajani

Sultan Dajani si è laureato alla London School of Pharmacy nel 1994 ed è diventato il più giovane membro eletto del consiglio della Royal Pharmaceutical Society dalla sua fondazione nel 1842.

Storia dell'articolo

Le informazioni su questa pagina sono scritte e revisionate da clinici qualificati.

  • Prossima revisione prevista: 25 Set 2027
  • 20 Sept 2024 | Ultima versione

    Ultimo aggiornamento di

    Michael Stewart, MRPharmS

    Revisione paritaria di

    Sid Dajani
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