Efficacy of Topical Ivermectin for the Treatment of Cutaneous and Ocular Rosacea

ABSTRACT

Purpose: To investigate the efficacy of once-daily topical treatment of ocular and cutaneous rosacea with ivermectin 1% cream (Soolantra®, Galderma).

Methods: Ten patients with rosacea were evaluated in a retrospective monocentric pilot study. Subjective symptoms (measured with the Ocular Surface Disease Index), skin findings, and ocular changes (blepharitis with telangiectasia and meibomian gland dysfunction, conjunctival redness, tear breakup time (TBUT), and fluorescein staining of the cornea) were evaluated. The follow-up was 8 months (range: 5–12 months).

Results: The OSDI score decreased in the 8th week of treatment (38.5 ± 21.7, P = .004). After 16 weeks, blepharitis (P = .004), and conjunctival redness (P = .008) had strongly improved, and grade 1 was seen in all patients until the end of follow-up. Fluorescein staining of the cornea (P = .001) and TBUT (P = .016) showed significant improvement until the last follow-up visit. No side effects were observed. Conclusion: Topical ivermectin cream 1% given daily is an effective and safe therapy against rosacea.

KEYWORDS:

• Ivermectin
• rosacea
• blepharitis
• dry eye
• Demodex

Author Contributions

All authors (BS, DD, CD, MS, and MZ) contributed to all of the following: 1) conception and design of the work, acquisition of data, or analysis and interpretation of data, 2) drafting the article or revising it critically for important intellectual content, 3) final approval of the version to be published, and 4) agreement to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

B. Sobolewska has received one travel grant from Galderma and Novartis and Santen Pharmaceutical Co.; D. Doycheva, None; Ch. Deuter, None; M. Schaller has been a member of the Galderma advisory boards within the past 2 years and has received lecture fees from AbbVie, Bayer Healthcare, Galderma, LaRoche-Posay and Infectopharm. None; M. Zierhut: Santen, Galderma, AbbVie.

Declaration of interest

None of the authors has a financial or property interest in any material or method mentioned in this manuscript.