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A recent study has highlighted the benefits of the combination therapy of Solodyn and Finacea.
Solodyn is one of the lesser known systemic rosacea treatments.
What is Solodyn?
Solodyn is an extended-release, low dosage of Minocycline, a member of the tetracycline family.
Solodyn is available in 8 strengths. Yes that is right you can get a prescription of Solodyn in 8 different amounts. A doctor can choose a dosage based on your weight in order to maintain a low-dose and extended treatment regime.
The prescribing information for Solodyn tells us that it may take up to 12 weeks to show maximum benefits.
Relationship between Solodyn and Finacea?
There is an arms length relationship between these 2 products. It is worth bearing this in mind when considering why this particular study might have been created in the first place.
Are you ready for the explanation of the link between Solodyn and Finacea? Here we go.
Solodyn is made by Medicis, who is owned by Valeant.
Finacea is made by Intendis, who are part of the Bayer Group.
Valeant Pharmaceuticals has an agreement with their competitor Intendis, to sell Finacea in the UK.
Valeant are also the makers of the CeraVe range of products which is joint marketed with Finacea as Finacea Plus.
So these 2 products are related through their parent companies joint marketing efforts.
Clinical Studies for Marketing Outcomes?
Although this short abstract doesn’t tell us if Valeant, Medicis, Intendis or Bayer were directly involved in the study, it is the sort of study that if successful, would allow new marketing opportunities.
As we saw with Metrogel and Oracea, there are many possible combination therapies that might lead to new sales and marketing possibilities.
Article Abstract
J Drugs Dermatol. 2013;12(3):292.
J. Mark Jackson MD, Douglas J. Lorenz PhD, and Leon H. Kircik MD
Division of Dermatology, Department of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, NY Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN Physicians Skin Care, PLLC, Louisville, KY
Rosacea is one of the most commonly occurring dermatoses treated by dermatologists. There are multiple therapeutic options available for the treatment of papulopustular rosacea. Rosacea is an inflammatory condition, classically presenting with flushing and/or blushing along with erythema, edema, telangiectasia, papules, pustules, and nodules of the face.
Minocycline, a member of the tetracycline family, has demonstrated benefit in the treatment of inflammatory lesions in patients with rosacea.
This manuscript highlights the use of a new sustained-release low-dose minocycline 45 mg tablet, with or without azelaic acid, for the treatment of papulopustular rosacea.
..
Extended-release (ER) minocycline was formulated to avoid many of the side effects noted with high-dose minocycline. ER minocycline is produced in a variety of doses for use in acne, and dosing is based on weight. At the time of this study, the lowest available dose of ER minocycline, 45 mg, was delivered as a once-daily oral tablet.
The reasoning behind this study was to demonstrate the efficacy of the lowest possible dose utilizing the anti-inflammatory effects of minocycline in the treatment of patients with papulopustular rosacea, while avoiding the impact and side effects of high-dose minocycline (100-200 g/day). Azelaic acid has been utilized in the treatment of rosacea and was used topically once daily in the comparison group.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety, efficacy, and tolerability of ER 45 mg oral minocycline as monotherapy or combined with azelaic acid 15% in the treatment of rosacea.
