Ivermectin 1% (CD5024) for the treatment of rosacea

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Rosacea is a chronic and recurrent disease with a variety of cutaneous manifestations. The disorder is a centrofacial inflammatory dermatosis with significant financial, physical and psychological impacts. There are a number of topical, oral and systemic treatments available. Yet, treatment for rosacea remains difficult. The multifactorial nature of the disease combined with an incomplete understanding of the pathophysiology is challenging for providers and patients.

Areas covered: This article provides an in-depth review of rosacea treatment and emerging use of ivermectin 1% cream for papulopustular rosacea based on multiple clinical trials. The PubMed database was searched using the combination of keywords "ivermectin, rosacea, and papulopustular."

Expert opinion: Topical ivermectin 1% cream has emerged as a novel agent for treatment of papulopustular rosacea. The drug targets the Demodex mite which is increased in patients with rosacea. Though ivermectin 1% is a clinically efficacious medication, poor adherence continues to remain an issue due to topical application. Ultimately, the agent has the potential to be an effective drug when used as a single or combination agent. With the move to limit chronic antibiotic use, topical agents such as ivermectin 1% will continue to thrive as a specialized niche in the rosacea market.

KEYWORDS:

• Adherence
• clinical trial
• Demodex
• ivermectin 1%
• papulopustular rosacea
• standardization

Box 1. Drug summary.

Declaration of Interest

SR Feldman has received research, speaking and/or consulting support from Galderma, GlaxoSmithKline/Stiefel, Almirall, Leo Pharma, Boehringer Ingelheim, Mylan, Celgene, Pfizer, Valeant, AbbVie, Janssen Pharmaceutical, Eli Lilly and Company, Merck & Co., Novartis, Regeneron, Sanofi, Novan, Qurient, the National Biological Corporation, Caremark, Advance Medical, Sun Pharma, Suncare Research, Informa, UpToDate and the National Psoriasis Foundation. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed. Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This manuscript has not been funded.