Solaraze (diclofenac sodium topical gel) Possible Rosacea Treatment

Written by on March 7, 2006 in New Rosacea Treatments, Rosacea Topicals with 9 Comments

This AAD Poster discussion session introduces the possibility of treating rosacea with Solaraze Gel. This topical has not been officially approved for use in rosacea, so be sure to get the close support of your doctor when emarking on this off-label regime.

Photographic results of the use of diclofenac sodium 3% topical gel in the treatment of rosacea

Joseph Bikowski, MD, Ohio State University, Sewickley, PA, United States

Rosacea, a common vascular chronic disorder of the central area of the face, is more prevalent among fair-skinned, fair-haired individuals, although it can affect darker skinned people. Papules and pustules erupt on an erythemic background and telangiectases commonly occur with rosacea.

If left untreated, severe and disfiguring phytomatous changes, most often rhinophyma, may result. This poster focuses on the physician’s and photographic assessments of a series of patients treated with diclofenac sodium 3% topical gel in rosacea qhs for up to 4 months. A skin care regimen including sunscreen, mild moisturizer, and nonsoap cleanser use was prescribed during therapy.

Author disclosure: Nothing disclosed at press time. Commercial support: None.

Poster Discussion Session P169, American Academy of Dermatology, 64th Annual Meeting, March 3-7 2006, San Francisco.

Supplement to Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology, March 2006, Volume 54, Number 3.

Solaraze Warnings

The prescribing information for Solaraze lists some important warnings for its safe use.

Solaraze (diclofenac sodium) Gel is indicated for the topical treatment of actinic keratoses (AK). Sun avoidance is indicated during therapy.

As with other NSAIDs, anaphylactoid reactions may occur in patients without prior exposure to diclofenac. Diclofenac sodium should be given with caution to patients with the aspirin triad. In clinical trials, the most common adverse reactions involved the skin, and included contact dermatitis, rash, dry skin and exfoliation. The majority of these reactions were mild to moderate, and resolved upon discontinuation of therapy. SOLARAZE® Gel should not be applied to open skin wounds, infections, or exfoliative dermatitis

Related Articles

About the Author

About the Author: David Pascoe started the Rosacea Support Group in October 1998. .

Follow Rosacea Support

Subscribe via RSS Feed

9 Reader Comments

  1. libby says:

    My doctor has given me solaraze gel. I take atenolol-
    50mg. Is okay then to use this gel on my face?

  2. Patricia M. Parent says:

    I have used Solaraze Gel Diclofenac Sodium-3% for a few days. Can I use a face cream as my face is very dry? I have used it 3 days now and noticed how my face is very dry. Also when I put it on it burns a little for an hour. Can I use make-up after I apply the (pea size amt.) on my face after it dries up?

    Thank You

  3. vanessa hutton says:

    Please can anyone tell me if I can use my normal daily moisuring cream while using Solaraze diclofenac gel? I have been prescribed this for keratoses on forehead and under eye.

  4. DJ says:

    The chemist I bought Solaraze from said I can use it for rosacea as well as solar keratoses. Is that right?

  5. Gay McKay says:

    I have used Solaraze gel now for a week. I have tried not to use moisturiser so as not to inhibit the properties of the gel, but my skin is so dry it is flaking. The pharmacist said it was Ok to use sunscreen and moisturiser, but when? Before the application of the gel? Or after? Also, should I be completey cleaning my face before the application of the gel? Common sense tells me that it must work better on a clean face, but doing so makes my skin even dryer still.

  6. Rhonda Schultz says:

    I have been using Solaraze 3%gel for 1 week now. I notice that each time I put it on there is a burning sensation for about half an hour. Is this normal? Also I was told that I could wear makeup and I do this but I put the gel on my face first…..is this correct?

    Cheers
    Rhonda

  7. Deb says:

    I have a problem with a fatty liver, is it ok to use this product?

  8. Gloria says:

    How often do I use sola raze gel 3/0 100 gm? Is it ok to use under moisturizer? What about make up? Should I sleep with it on my face, wash in the am and re-apply?? Thanks.

  9. Micheáilín Mháirtín says:

    Hi there

    I suffer from rosacea and I have also noticed recently dry red marks on my face and over my right eye.

    When I mentioned this to my doctor he prescribed Solareze tho he didnt give me any of the printout he later said I should have.

    When I saw that it was an anti-inflammatory gel I thought maybe it might be good for my rosacea as well and applied it to my nose as well as the other marks.

    Now the rosacea has really flared up and it looks like I have chickenpox or something on my face and it is marked really badly with the marks right down my nose.

    The marks also swelled up.

    I mentioned this to my doctor and he said it was ok to use but the symptoms would get worse before they got better.

    Also it says on the leaflet not to us makeup but how can I go out with this massive scarring on my face?

    Also I’m going on holiday in 3 weeks so wouldnt mind it either cleared up by then or at least covered with makeup.

    Help!

    It was probably unwise of me to use it on my nose though:(

Leave your comment here

Top

Subscribe to Rosacea News

Enter your email address to receive the latest news about rosacea in your inbox.