Treatment for Facial Redness Associated With Rosacea Now Available in the UK

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The active ingredient, brimonidine, restricts excessive blood flow to the upper layers of the skin. The topical gel is applied to the forehead, chin, nose and cheeks, and can reduce facial redness for up to 12 hours^[1]. Mirvaso offers a new and effective management option for a commonly misunderstood inflammatory skin condition.

Dr Anton Alexandroff, Consultant Dermatologist at University Hospitals Leicester, said: "Rosacea is often misunderstood and until now we have been extremely limited in the options we can offer people suffering from facial redness. Typically the symptoms associated with rosacea get worse if left untreated so it's key that we recognise and treat this condition."

Rosacea is a progressive, long-term condition that affects over 10% of adults in the UK^[2]. It is characterised by facial redness and flushing called erythema^[3], caused by abnormal blood flow to the skin's top layers. It can lead to bumps and pimples (papules and pustules)^[3] and, in severe cases, facial disfiguration, if left unmanaged.

Dr Ellie Cannon, General Practitioner, added: "Many people underestimate the impact of the flushing and redness associated with rosacea: if it is not appropriately managed it can severely impact a person's life, causing anxiety, embarrassment, low self-esteem and isolation. It is often discounted simply as blushing but the sad truth is that people are judged negatively as a result of this very visible condition."

Rosacea's exact cause is unknown but chronic inflammation is believed to play a key role. Certain triggers: heat, cold, intense physical exercise, alcohol and caffeine^[4], can intensify it. Until now, rosacea management was limited to dietary and lifestyle adjustments like avoiding key triggers. Some patients are prescribed anti-inflammatory antibiotics - which treat the pimples and pustules associated with rosacea but fail to combat facial redness and flushing^[4].

To access the SPC, please visit: http://www.ema.europa.eu/docs/en_GB/document_library/EPAR_-_Product_Information/human/002642/WC500163121.pdf

For further information about the disease, please visit: http://www.myrosacea.co.uk

For further information about the company, please visit: http://www.galderma.co.uk

Galderma - a global company exclusively dedicated to dermatology

Galderma is a global company founded in 1981 committed to delivering innovative medical solutions to meet the dermatological needs of people throughout their lifetime while serving healthcare professionals around the world.  The company has 33 wholly-owned affiliates with a worldwide network of distributors and more than 5,000 employees. Galderma's extensive product portfolio is available in 80 countries and treats a range of dermatological conditions including: acne, rosacea, onychomycosis, psoriasis & steroid-responsive dermatoses, pigmentary disorders, skin cancer and medical solutions for skin senescence.

With approximately 19% of revenues invested each year to discover and develop new products and access innovative technologies, the company is one of the world's leading investors in dermatology R&D. Five state-of-the-art R&D centers and five manufacturing sites are dedicated to providing a wide range of innovative medical solutions which meet the highest standards of safety and efficacy.

Strategic brands include Epiduo, Efracea, Etrivex, Differin, Mirvaso^®, Rozex/MetroGel, Silkis, Loceryl/Curanail, Cetaphil, Metvix, Azzalure, Restylane and Emervel.

References  

1. J Fowler, et al. Efficacy and safety of once-daily topical brimonidine tartrate gel 0.5% for the treatment of moderate to severe facial erythema of rosacea: results of two randomized, double-blind, vehicle- controlled pivotal studies. J Drugs Dermatol 2013;12(6): 650-656.

2. NHS Choices. Rosacea Introduction. http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Rosacea/Pages/Introduction.aspx  Last accessed March 2014.

3. Powell FC. Rosacea. N Engl J Med. 2005;352:793-80.

4. NICE guidelines. Rosacea.  http://cks.nice.org.uk/rosacea#!topicsummary Last accessed March 2014.

MRV/059/0414
Date of Preparation: April 2014

Contacts: 

Galderma (UK) Ltd
Ruth Baxter
Group Product Manager
Tel: +44(0)1923-208950
E-mail: [email protected]

Ruder Finn
Donna Wright
Account Director
Tel: +44(0)20-7438-3085
E-mail: [email protected]