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Azelex Coupon - Azelex 30g of 20% tube of cream

Azelex

azelaic acid
Used for Acne
Used for Acne

Azelex (azelaic acid) is a dicarboxylic acid. It's a topical medication used to treat mild-to-moderate acne in adults and children ages 12 years and older. It works by killing bacteria that causes acne and by preventing clogged pores. Azelex (azelaic acid) cream is applied to the skin twice daily, in the morning and evening. Some side effects of Azelex (azelaic acid) include mild burning, tingling, and itching.

Reviewed by:
reviewer
Connie Zheng, PharmD
reviewer
Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD
Last reviewed on November 6, 2024
BasicsSide effectsPros & consPharmacist tipsFAQsWarningsDosageInteractionsCostAlternativesLatest newsImagesReferencesPricesMedicare
basics-icon

What is Azelex (azelaic acid)?

What is Azelex (azelaic acid) used for?

  • Treatment of papules and pustules in adults with mild-to-moderate acne

How Azelex (azelaic acid) works

Azelex (azelaic acid) is a dicarboxylic acid. It treats acne by killing the bacteria that cause acne, preventing clogged pores, and by lowering redness and inflammation.

Are you looking for information on azelaic acid (Finacea) for rosacea instead?
When does Azelex (azelaic acid) start working?
Time passed since treatment started:
HOURS
DAYS
WEEKS
MONTHS
Full effect

Drug Facts

Common BrandsAzelex
Drug ClassDicarboxylic acid
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusNo lower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription or over-the-counter
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Avg retail price
$674.29(save 16.93%)
GoodRx discount
$560.15
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What are the side effects of Azelex (azelaic acid)?

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

Azelex cream
  • Burning (up to 5%)
  • Stinging (up to 5%)
  • "Pin and needles" sensation (up to 5%)
  • Itching (up to 5%)

Other Side Effects

  • Dryness
  • Rash
  • Pealing
  • Skin irritation
When do Azelex (azelaic acid) possible side effects begin and end?
Time passed since treatment started:
MINUTES
HOURS
DAYS
WEEKS
MONTHS
Skin burning or tingling

Source: DailyMed

The following side effects have also been reported

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Burning, stinging, or tingling of the skin

dryness, itching, peeling, or redness of the skin

Less common

Blistering, burning, crusting, dryness, or flaking of the skin

scaling, severe redness, soreness, or swelling of the skin

Incidence not known

Blurred vision

eye pain, redness, or swelling

fast heartbeat

fever

hives, itching, or skin rash

hoarseness

irritation

joint pain, stiffness, or swelling

large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs

tearing

tightness in the chest

trouble breathing or swallowing

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Rare

Change in skin color at treated areas

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

pros-and-cons

Pros and cons of Azelex (azelaic acid)

thumbs-up

Pros

Applied to the skin; convenient for people who don't like pills

Less likely to cause skin irritation than some other topical acne medications

Can be stored at room temperature

thumbs-down

Cons

Might take weeks to see improvement

Need to apply twice daily

Can cause skin color to lighten

pharmacist-tips

Pharmacist tips for Azelex (azelaic acid)

pharmacist

  • Use Azelex (azelaic acid) as directed by your dermatologist. It can take a few weeks before you see your skin improve. Let your healthcare team know if you don't notice your acne getting better after a month. They might ask you to consider other treatment options.

    • Azelex (azelaic acid) can cause dryness, itching, scaling, or stinging, especially during the first few weeks of treatment. Speak to your dermatologist if the irritation gets worse or does not go away over time.

      More tips on how to use Azelex (azelaic acid):

      • Before applying Azelex (azelaic acid), wash the area to be treated with a mild cleanser and pat dry with a soft towel.

        • Avoid applying Azelex (azelaic acid) too close to eyes and mouth, since this can cause irritation. If contact occurs, wash your eyes with large amounts of water. If the irritation doesn't go away, contact your dermatologist.

          • Wash your hands after you apply Azelex (azelaic acid) to avoid accidentally getting this medication on other parts of the body.

            • Don't apply bandages or wraps on the areas of skin where you applied Azelex (azelaic acid). Doing so might affect how much medication gets absorbed.

              faqs

              Frequently asked questions about Azelex (azelaic acid)

              Does Azelex (azelaic acid) cause purging?
              "Skin purging" is a term used to describe the worsening of acne that people might experience when starting certain acne medications. In clinical studies, people who used Azelex (azelaic acid) didn't report a worsening of acne. But they did note skin irritation, such as burning or tingling, at the application site. Typically, these side effects are mild and should go away with time.
              How long does it take for Azelex (azelaic acid) to work?
              The length of time it takes for you to see results from Azelex (azelaic acid) depends on how severe your skin condition is and your body's response to the medication. People typically see an improvement in their acne after about 4 weeks of treatment. Let your provider know if your skin doesn't get better by this time, you might need to consider other options for your skin condition.
              How often to use Azelex (azelaic acid)?
              Typically, your dermatologist will ask you to apply Azelex (azelaic acid) to your face twice daily, in the morning and evening. Ask your care team if you're not sure how often to use this medication.
              Can I use Azelex (azelaic acid) with adapalene?
              Ask your dermatologist if you can use Azelex (azelaic acid) with adapalene (Differin), a retinoid. Both are topical medications used to treat acne, but they work in different ways. Your dermatologist might recommend that you use them together to help with acne. But because they both cause similar side effects (e.g., burning, stinging, dry skin), using Azelex (azelaic acid) with adapalene (Differin) can cause more skin irritation.
              Can I use Azelex (azelaic acid) with tretinoin?
              Your dermatologist can talk with you about the risks and benefits of using Azelex (azelaic acid) with Retin-A (tretinoin). Azelex (azelaic acid) is a a topical dicarboxylic acid and Retin-A (tretinoin) is a topical retinoid. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that when using topical acne medications, it's best to use multiple therapies that work in different ways, like Azelex (azelaic acid) and Retin-A (tretinoin), to manage your condition. But because these medications can cause similar side effects, you might notice more drying, burning, or other skin irritations if you use them together.
              Is Azelex (azelaic acid) over-the-counter?
              You can only get Azelex (azelaic acid 20%) cream at the pharmacy with a prescription from a dermatologist. But some topical azelaic acid can be found over-the-counter (OTC), such as azelaic acid 10% cream. In general, these products have a lower concentration of azelaic acid compared to what's in the prescription-strength version. Talk with your healthcare team if you have more questions about the difference between prescription and OTC azelaic acid.
              Should I stop using Azelex (azelaic acid) if it burns?
              You can continue to use Azelex (azelaic acid) if you experience mild burning, tingling, and pain at the application site. Most of the time, these side effects are temporary and should go away after a few weeks. But let your dermatology team know right away if your symptoms are severe or if the skin irritation doesn't get better after a few weeks. They might ask you to consider other options.
              Is Azelex (azelaic acid) safe during pregnancy?
              Ask your dermatologist if you can continue Azelex (azelaic acid) during pregnancy. Because this medication is applied to the skin, it's not likely to get absorbed into the bloodstream and cause harm to the unborn baby. In general, azelaic acid is considered safe during pregnancy, but you should talk with your healthcare team if you have specific concerns.
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              What are the risks and warnings for Azelex (azelaic acid)?

              Azelex (azelaic acid) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

              risk-warning

              Loss of skin color

              Azelex (azelaic acid) can cause loss of skin color in the areas of skin where you apply the medication. This is because this medication prevents your skin from making melanin, the pigment responsible for skin color. The loss of skin color is more noticeable if you have a darker skin tone. Let your dermatologist know if you notice any changes in skin color.

              risk-warning

              Eye and mouth irritation

              Azelex (azelaic acid) can cause irritation in the eyes, mouth, nose, and genitals. If it gets in your eyes, wash your eyes with lots of water. Get medical help right away if the irritation does not go away after washing your eye.

              risk-warning

              Skin irritation

              Azelex (azelaic acid) can temporary skin irritation, such as burning or stinging, at the application site. This is more likely to happen when you apply the medication to broken or inflamed skin. These side effects are typically mild and go away when you continue treatment. Contact your dermatologist right away if your symptoms are severe. They might ask you to stop Azelex (azelaic acid) and consider other options.

              dosage

              Azelex (azelaic acid) dosage forms

              The average cost for 1 tube of 30g of 20% of Azelex (azelaic acid) is $560.15 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 16.93% off the average retail price of $674.29.
              tube of cream
              Tube of cream
              DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
              30g of 20%1 tube$560.15$560.15
              50g of 20%1 tube$818.07$818.07

              Typical dosing for Azelex (azelaic acid)

              Azelex (azelaic acid 20%) cream

              • Adults and children ages 12 years and older: The typical dose is to apply a thin film of cream to the affected area(s) twice daily, in the morning and evening.

              interactions

              Interactions between Azelex (azelaic acid) and other drugs

              Azelex (azelaic acid) may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Azelex (azelaic acid). Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.

              Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

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              How much does Azelex (azelaic acid) cost?

              To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
              Azelex (brand)
              GoodRx lowest price

              $560.15

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              alternatives

              What are alternatives to Azelex (azelaic acid)?

              There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Azelex (azelaic acid). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
              Azelex (azelaic acid)
              Used for:

              • Treatment of papules and pustules in adults with mild-to-moderate acne

              $560.15 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
              Benzoyl peroxide
              Used for:

              • Acne

              $12.39 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
              Salicylic acid
              Used for:
              $56.17 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
              images

              Azelex (azelaic acid) images

              white - Azelex 20% Topical Cream
              This medicine is White Tube Of Cream.white - Azelex 20% Topical Cream

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              References

              Best studies we found

              Almirall, LLC. (2024). Azelex- azelaic acid cream [package insert]. DailyMed.

              Guangzhou Ariel Biotech Co., Ltd. (2024). 10% azelaic acid acne cream cream [package insert]. DailyMed.

              Jones, D. A. (2009). Rosacea, reactive oxygen species, and azelaic acid. The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology.

              View All References (7)

              Madireddy, S., et al. (2023). Hypopigmented macules. StatPearls.

              MedlinePlus. (2016). Azelaic acid topical.

              Passi, S., et al. (1989). Meccanismo di azione dell'acido azelaico nell'acne [Mechanism of azelaic acid action in acne]. Giornale italiano di dermatologia e venereologia: organo ufficiale, Societa italiana di dermatologia e sifilografia.

              Reynolds, R. V., et al. (2024). Guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

              Schulte, B. C., et al. (2015). Azelaic acid: Evidence-based update on mechanism of action and clinical application. Journal of Drugs and Dermatology.

              Sutaria, A. H., et al. (2023). Acne vulgaris. StatPearls.

              Tomić, I., et al. (2021). Efficacy and safety of azelaic acid nanocrystal-loaded in situ hydrogel in the treatment of acne vulgaris. Pharmaceutics.

              GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.
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