Azelex

Inflammation, Nutritional supplementation, Acne Vulgaris + 1 more

Treatment

4 Active Studies for Azelex

What is Azelex

Azelaic acid

The Generic name of this drug

Treatment Summary

Azelaic acid is a naturally occurring acid found in wheat, rye, and barley. It is also produced by a type of fungus that can be found on human skin. Azelaic acid is available in a cream form and can be used to treat mild to moderate acne. The cream works by killing bacteria that cause acne and keeping pores clear. It may also prevent the growth of certain proteins that are necessary for bacterial growth.

Azelex

is the brand name

Azelex Overview & Background

Brand Name

Generic Name

First FDA Approval

How many FDA approvals?

Azelex

Azelaic acid

1996

18

Effectiveness

How Azelex Affects Patients

Azelaic acid is a natural substance found in wheat, rye, and barley, and is also produced by a type of yeast that lives on the skin. When used in a cream at 20%, it is effective in treating mild to moderate acne. It works by limiting the growth of bacteria that cause acne and by unblocking skin pores. Azelaic acid's antibacterial properties may be because it stops the bacteria from making proteins.

How Azelex works in the body

Azelaic acid works to fight bacteria, specifically Staphylococcus epidermidis and Propionibacterium acnes. It does this by inhibiting the production of proteins in these bacteria. Azelaic acid also helps improve acne by normalizing cells in the skin and reducing the formation of microcomedones. It also reduces the thickness of the skin's outer layer and decreases the number of keratohyalin granules, which are responsible for skin cell development.

When to interrupt dosage

The advised dose of Azelex is contingent upon the specified condition, including Nutritional supplementation, Bacterial Infections and Inflammation. The dose also differs as per the approach of delivery (e.g. Tablet, coated or Topical), detailed in the table underneath.

Condition

Dosage

Administration

Inflammation

, 0.15 mg/mg, 0.2 mg/mg, 5.0 mg, 15.0 %, 250.0 mg/mL

Topical, Gel, , Gel - Topical, Kit, Cutaneous, Cream - Cutaneous, Cream, Liquid, Liquid - Topical, Tablet, coated - Oral, Tablet, coated, Oral, Aerosol, foam, Aerosol, foam - Topical, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Cream - Topical

Nutritional supplementation

, 0.15 mg/mg, 0.2 mg/mg, 5.0 mg, 15.0 %, 250.0 mg/mL

Topical, Gel, , Gel - Topical, Kit, Cutaneous, Cream - Cutaneous, Cream, Liquid, Liquid - Topical, Tablet, coated - Oral, Tablet, coated, Oral, Aerosol, foam, Aerosol, foam - Topical, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Cream - Topical

Acne Vulgaris

, 0.15 mg/mg, 0.2 mg/mg, 5.0 mg, 15.0 %, 250.0 mg/mL

Topical, Gel, , Gel - Topical, Kit, Cutaneous, Cream - Cutaneous, Cream, Liquid, Liquid - Topical, Tablet, coated - Oral, Tablet, coated, Oral, Aerosol, foam, Aerosol, foam - Topical, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Cream - Topical

Bacterial Infections

, 0.15 mg/mg, 0.2 mg/mg, 5.0 mg, 15.0 %, 250.0 mg/mL

Topical, Gel, , Gel - Topical, Kit, Cutaneous, Cream - Cutaneous, Cream, Liquid, Liquid - Topical, Tablet, coated - Oral, Tablet, coated, Oral, Aerosol, foam, Aerosol, foam - Topical, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Cream - Topical

Warnings

Azelex has one contraindication. If you have any of the circumstances outlined in the table below, Azelex should not be employed.

Azelex Contraindications

Condition

Risk Level

Notes

Pulse Frequency

Do Not Combine

There are 20 known major drug interactions with Azelex.

Common Azelex Drug Interactions

Drug Name

Risk Level

Description

Abacavir

Minor

Azelaic acid may decrease the excretion rate of Abacavir which could result in a higher serum level.

Aclidinium

Minor

Azelaic acid may decrease the excretion rate of Aclidinium which could result in a higher serum level.

Acrivastine

Minor

Azelaic acid may decrease the excretion rate of Acrivastine which could result in a higher serum level.

Albutrepenonacog alfa

Minor

Azelaic acid may decrease the excretion rate of Albutrepenonacog alfa which could result in a higher serum level.

Allylestrenol

Minor

Azelaic acid may decrease the excretion rate of Allylestrenol which could result in a higher serum level.

Azelex Toxicity & Overdose Risk

The lowest toxic dose of this drug in rats has been found to be greater than 5g/kg.

image of a doctor in a lab doing drug, clinical research

Azelex Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Azelex?

19 active trials are being conducted to investigate the utilization of Azelex for the management of Acne, Nutritional supplementation and Bacterial Infections.

Condition

Clinical Trials

Trial Phases

Nutritional supplementation

0 Actively Recruiting

Inflammation

0 Actively Recruiting

Bacterial Infections

0 Actively Recruiting

Acne Vulgaris

2 Actively Recruiting

Phase 1, Phase 2, Early Phase 1

Azelex Reviews: What are patients saying about Azelex?

5

Patient Review

2/11/2014

Azelex for Acne

Azelex has been a true godsend. My face was covered in acne, and after just two months of using this cream twice daily, my skin had cleared up by 90%. The only downside is the price tag; at $260, it's not cheap. But it is worth it!

5

Patient Review

8/5/2017

Azelex for Acne

Azelex really helped to keeping my acne at bay.

4.7

Patient Review

4/13/2011

Azelex for Acne

I was prescribed this for my moderate to severe acne. Despite having bad acne, my skin is very sensitive and things such as salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin lotion only worsened my acne due to irritation. This medication is so gentle and quite effective. My skin isn't 100% clear but if I don't use the azelex, I notice a huge difference.

4.3

Patient Review

8/18/2009

Azelex for Acne

I've only been using Azelex for a short while, but I'm already seeing significant changes. Not only are fewer pimples forming, but scars and hyperpigmentation from previous breakouts have also faded. So many other products I've tried either make my skin worse or dry it out to the point of flaking, but Azelex doesn't do that. There was a bit of burning when I first started using it, but now it only tingles occasionally. All in all, I'm really happy with this product.

3.7

Patient Review

8/28/2009

Azelex for Acne

I've been using Azelex for close to 6 weeks now. While it has helped somewhat in reducing the severity and duration of my outbreaks, they are still occurring. I'm currently trying to get pregnant, so my doctor prescribed this since it is safe for use during pregnancy. However, if I were not trying to conceive, I would probably request something stronger from my physician.

3.7

Patient Review

8/4/2009

Azelex for Acne

I've only been using this for three weeks and I'm already seeing a lot of clearing up. Fingers crossed that my skin remains clear.

2.3

Patient Review

12/29/2013

Azelex for Acne

I unfortunately had a severe allergic reaction the first time I used this medication. Hives and swelling were present on my face.

2.3

Patient Review

2/7/2009

Azelex for Acne

image of drug pills surrounding a glass of water symbolizing drug consumption

Patient Q&A Section about azelex

These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.

Is there a generic for azelex?

"Azelex is not currently available in the United States as a therapeutically equivalent version. These medications may be counterfeit and potentially unsafe."

Answered by AI

What is Azelex cream used for?

"This medication is used to treat mild to moderate acne. It works by reducing the amount of acne-causing bacteria on the skin and by helping to keep your pores open, thus decreasing the number of acne pimples. Azelaic acid belongs to a class of drugs known as dicarboxylic acids."

Answered by AI

Is azelex the same as azelaic acid?

"The active ingredient in Finacea, azelaic acid, is also the active ingredient in Azelex, a medication used to treat acne."

Answered by AI

What does azelex do to skin?

"Rosacea is a condition characterized by redness and swelling of the skin. Rosacea treatments work to decrease the inflammation and redness of the skin. Acne is a condition characterized by the presence of bacteria in the pores of the skin. Acne treatments work to kill the bacteria that cause acne and to reduce the production of keratin, a substance that can block pores and lead to the development of acne."

Answered by AI

Clinical Trials for Azelex

Image of Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, United States.

Isotretinoin vs Tetracycline for Acne

Any Age
All Sexes
Charleston, SC

In the effort to find better treatments for Moderate Acne, which often relies on long-term antibiotic use, researchers are exploring alternative options. While Isotretinoin, a Vitamin A derivative, is highly effective for severe acne, its side effects limit its use for milder cases. A recent study from our institution investigated a new approach: weekly Isotretinoin dosing. The results were promising, with acne improvement and no major side effects. This suggests that weekly Isotretinoin could be a successful alternative for moderate acne in both males and females. To validate these findings, investigators propose a randomized controlled trial comparing weekly Isotretinoin to daily Doxycycline over four months. This study could confirm the safety and effectiveness of weekly Isotretinoin, as well as shed light on patient satisfaction, and long-term results compared to standard antibiotics. This research may offer a breakthrough in treating moderate acne while addressing concerns about antibiotic overuse.

Phase < 1
Recruiting

Medical University of South Carolina

Alex Richmond, MD, MSCR