Description
What is Finacea used for?
Finacea is used to treat the following conditions:
- Mild to moderate acne vulgaris, usually simply called acne
- Rosacea, where the skin on the nose and cheeks has one or more of the following features: a redness that looks like a blush; pimples; small knobbly lumps on the nose and / or thin red lines due to enlarged blood vessels.
If using Finacea for rosacea, you should contact a doctor for a correct diagnosis of your condition before commencing treatment.
When rubbed into the skin, the azelaic acid in Finacea kills the bacteria that cause acne. In addition Finacea stops the acne relevant (epidermal) skin cells from growing too strongly and thus blocking the pores of the skin to form pimples.
It is not known exactly how Finacea works to treat rosacea.
Finacea has been especially formulated for use in acne patients with greasy skin conditions.
There is no evidence that Finacea is addictive.
Before you use Finacea:
When you must not use it
Do not use Finacea if:
- you have an allergy to Finacea or any of the ingredients in Finacea listed at the end of this leaflet, in particular propylene glycol.
Finacea is for external use only.
You should be careful not to get Finacea in your eyes when putting it onto your face.
The absorption of Finacea into the blood stream is very limited.
Do not use Finacea just before having a bath, shower or going swimming. If you do, you may reduce the effectiveness of Finacea.
Using other medicines and skin treatments.
There is no information available on the use of Finacea in conjunction with other skin disorder treatments, sunscreens or cosmetics.
Do not use Finacea if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.
Do not use Finacea if the expiry date (EXP) printed on the pack has passed. If you use this medicine after the expiry date has passed, it may not work (as well).
If you are not sure whether you should start using Finacea, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Before you start to use it
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if:
- if you have any allergies to any other medicines or any other substances, such as foods, preservatives or dyes.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding:
- if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant
Your doctor or pharmacist will discuss the risks and benefits of using Finacea when pregnant. - if you are breast-feeding or intend to breast-feed
Your doctor or pharmacist will discuss the risks and benefits of using Finacea when breast-feeding.
If you have not told your doctor or pharmacist about any of the above, tell them before you use any Finacea.
Ho To Use Finacea?
How much to use
Finacea should be applied to the affected areas of the skin morning and night, and should be used regularly over several months. This dosage may be modified by your doctor or pharmacist.
Use of Finacea more than twice daily will not increase its effectiveness, and could cause irritation.
Finacea should be massaged into the skin gently until it vanishes.
Finacea should be applied sparingly (approximately 0.5g, equivalent to a 2.5cm strip of gel is sufficient for the entire facial area).
How to use it
Before Finacea is applied, the skin should be thoroughly cleaned with water, or with a mild skin-cleansing agent.
Be careful not to get Finacea in your eyes when putting it on your face. Finacea is very irritant to the eyes. If Finacea is accidentally rubbed into your eye, you should immediately rinse your eye with large amounts of water.
How long to use it
The length of time that Finacea needs to be used will vary from person to person, and will also depend on the initial severity of your skin disorder. Improvement is usually noticed within 1-2 months of use, but to obtain the best results, Finacea should be used regularly over several months. Whilst in most cases you will not need to use Finacea for more than 6 months, it may be used for longer periods, and may also be reused after a period of stopping.
If intolerable irritation of the skin develops (see Unwanted Effects), treatment should be stopped immediately. If irritation persists, please see your doctor or pharmacist.
Once the irritation has ceased, your pharmacist or doctor may advise you to recommence treatment using a smaller amount of gel or using the gel only once a day until the skin can tolerate the treatment.
If your condition does not improve within 8 weeks you should consult your doctor or pharmacist.
If you forget to use it
If you forget to use Finacea, use it as soon as you remember. Then go on as before. If you are not sure what to do, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
If you use too much (overdose) or if you swallow it
Immediately telephone your doctor or Poisons Information Centre (telephone 13 11 26), if you think that you or anyone else may have swallowed Finacea. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. Keep this telephone number handy.
Additional Details
- Barcode:
- 9317109035026
