Aziderm Cream 20 % (15 gm)

Medically Reviewed by

Dr. Akanksha Kaushal

Dr. Akanksha, Pharm-D

Dr. Akansha is a licensed Clinical Pharmacologist with extensive expertise in pharmacovigilance, prescription analysis, drug information, and safety. She's a dedicated educator and avid learner. Dr. Akansha also reviews medical content on GoodRxMedicine, ensuring accurate pharmaceutical information is accessible to all.

Written by

Julian Carter

Julian Carter

Julian, an MBA in Pharmaceutical Management, brings a dynamic blend of expertise and impact with his contributions at GoodRxMedicine. His dedication and innovative spirit continue to shape a brighter future in pharmaceutical management.

About brand name of the drug

Finacea cream (aziderm cream)is the anti-acne formulation which is used mostly to treat mild to moderate pimples. It is available as 20% w/w cream with a pack size of 15gm This is manufactured by Micro Labs Ltd. The active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) present in the formulation is Azelaic acid.This medicament is used to relieve symptoms related to acne like bumps, lesions, redness. This drug belongs dicarboxylic acid category in antimicrobials and anti-acne category in precise.

About the drug

Aziderm cream 15% w/w contains Azelaic acid as the active pharmaceutical ingredient. It is available in different-different dosage forms like cream(20% as azelex ), gel(15% as finacea), foam (15% as finacea) and kit (15% as finacea plus). It is an antimicrobial formulation mainly used to relieve symptoms of acne. It is easily available in all the medical stores, retail stores, and online pharmacies. The formulation contains the drug equivalent to 15gm.

Some other brands equivalent to Aziderm 20% cream is

• Ezanic 20 % cream

Intas pharmaceuticals Ltd.

About salt of the drug

It is available in the form of monosodium salt of dicarboxylic acid. It is used to relieve mild to moderate acne and more precisely the comedonal and inflammatory acne. It acts by decreasing the keratin levels of the body by means of which the occurrence of acne can be minimized as the keratin is responsible for acne to occur.It is also evident that the drug is used to relieve the bumps and lesions caused by rosacea.

Medical uses of the drug

Azelaic acid can relieve the symptoms occurs in acne and rosacea conditions like redness, bumps and lesions. It is also used to treat skin pigmentation which includes the melasma and post inflammatory hyperpigmentation in patients who are darker skin types, recommended as an alternative to hydroquinone, being a tyrosine inhibitor it can also act by decreasing the synthesis of melanin. It also relieves the symptoms like black heads, redness, tenderness, bumps on the skin associated with acne vulgaris.

Working of a drug

Azelaic acid belongs to monosodium salt of di-carboxylic acid class of antimicrobial. It is saturated dicarboxylic acid which is naturally found in wheat, rye and barley and is also produced by 2 genera of fungi namely Pityrosporum ovale and Malassezia furfur. It is a topical cream which is applied generally over the skin. It works by stopping the growth of skin bacteria that cause acne and it will keep skin pores clear. It's main mechanism of action is mainly attributed to inhibition of microbial cellular protein synthesis. The exact mechanism of action is unknown but it is thought to be as inhibition of hyperactive protease which converts cathelicidin to antimicrobial skin peptide. Being a tyrosine inhibitor it is proven to even reduce the content of melanin in the skin by inhibiting it's synthesis.

Side effects of the drug

The major side effects which are observed while using this cream are redness, itching and burning at the application site, dry skin, tenderness of the skin, stinging sensation at the application site, sudden swelling of eyelids, face, throat and tongue, the other effects like difficulty in swallowing and difficulty in breathing may also occur rarely. The irritation will generally occurs at the initial stage of treatment but as the time proceeds it will get decreased. The side effects like hypopigmentation that is lightening of skin will also occur while using the drug.

If any of the above symptoms bother the patient then it will be advisable that he or she should contact the physician or pharmacist as early as possible so that he can get relieved from the symptoms.

How to use

Patients are advised to follow the full course of treatment. Should avoid the contact of cream with the eyes, mouth and other mucus membranes. The cream should be applied in the affected area of skin twice a day both morning and evening, before using the cream the skin should be cleaned with a mild soap or soap free cleanser afterwards wash your face with clean water once it's done start applying the cream in small amounts with clean fingers and rub the ae gently into the skin. The applied skin should not be covered unless recommended by the physician

It is not safe to use more than the prescribed amount of aziderm as it may cause skin irritation

You can continuously use the cream for several months in required cases and you can repeat the treatment if your acne returns.

Drugs that are known to interact with this medicine

The drug may be known to interact with isotrenitoin but the exact clinical data is not available regarding the interactions of the drug.

But the drug interactions may differ from person to person. So, it will be better to check all the interactions that are possible in each of the possible cases.

When to avoid taking the drug

One should avoid using the drug 

• If the azelaic acid causes any allergic reactions in the person using that
• If the patient is undergoing any parallel therapy he or she should check with a doctor whether the medicine can be used concomitantly
• If the person is pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Azelaic acid is not recommended in pediatric patients (less than 12 years of age)

Things to avoid when using the drug

• Should follow the healthy diet practice by avoiding the oil rich food in the diet.
• Should avoid breastfeeding while using the medication
• The medication should not be shared with others. It should be stored at room temperature and freezing the same should be avoided
• Should not flush the medications or pour them into a drain unless instructed by the physician.
• Should be kept away from children.

General information and precautions

• Patients were instructed to avoid consumption of spicy food while using the medication and it will be better if he or she stops consuming thermally hot food and drinks
• Patients are advised to avoid alcoholic beverages while consuming the medicine
• It is likely to avoid soaps and should make use of the soapless cleansing lotions for facial cleansing.

  Precautions:

• Alcohol: Drinking of alcohol should be avoided as the drug causes dizziness and exact interaction of drug with alcohol is still unknown. So, it will be better to discuss with a doctor before consumption.
• Driving: drug has one of major side effects i.e. dizziness so this medication is not recommended to receive before driving as the patient will not be alert in operating machines.
• Pregnant Women: The use of the drug should be avoided in pregnant women as it may affect the new born baby.
• Nursing mothers: it is better to avoid the drug in nursing mother's, if used care should be exercised to avoid every chance of infant being in contact with drug. 

Storage

The drug should be stored in room temperature and make sure that the temperature is below 30 degrees centigrade

The medication should not be freezed

Keep out of the reach of children

Flushing the cream in the toilet should be avoided.

General FAQs regarding the drug

Does Azelaic acid can be used for wrinkles?

Ans. Azelaic acid is generally used to treat acne due to its anti inflammatory properties It can also be used to treat rosacea, it will also help in smoothing and reducing the fine lines and wrinkles as well.

Whether Azelaic acid lighten the skin?

Ans. Azelaic acid is a natural skin brightener which is abundantly found in wheat, rye and barley and is much more effective than the hydroquinone assist has anti inflammatory properties it is effective in the treatment of acne.

Can I apply moisturiser after applying the aziderm cream?

Ans. Finacea is a topical medication that should be applied to the face gently and should be allowed to dry before applying a moisturiser.