Zelsuvmi
Zelsuvmi (berdazimer) is a topical gel used to treat a viral skin infection called molluscum contagiosum (MC). It’s approved for adults and children 1 year or older. This medication works as a nitric oxide-releasing agent to fight the virus and remove the small MC bumps (lesions) on your skin. Zelsuvmi (berdazimer) comes in two separate gel tubes that you mix together right before applying. You apply the gel directly to the skin lesions once a day for up to 12 weeks. Side effects include pain, redness, and itching at the application site.
What is Zelsuvmi (berdazimer)?
What is Zelsuvmi (berdazimer) used for?
- Molluscum contagiosum in adults and children ages 1 year or older
How Zelsuvmi (berdazimer) works
Zelsuvmi (berdazimer) is a nitric oxide-releasing agent. Experts don’t fully understand the exact way it works to treat molluscum contagiosum (MC).
But the medication is thought to create a harmful environment for the virus that causes MC. It can block viral proteins from working and damage viral DNA. It can also prevent the virus from making copies of itself and spreading. This helps remove the small bumps (lesions) you get on the skin from the infection.
Drug facts
Side effects of Zelsuvmi (berdazimer)
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
- Pain (such as burning or stinging, 19%)
- Redness (12%)
- Itching (6%)
- Peeling or flaking (5%)
- Itchy, dry skin rash (5%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Swelling
- Fever
- Open wound at the skin surface
- Skin discoloration
- Blistering
- Vomiting
- Other irritation at the application site
- Infection at the application site
- Upper respiratory tract infection
Zelsuvmi (berdazimer) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Allergic skin reaction: pain, itching, swelling, or redness at the application site that lasts longer than 24 hours
The following Zelsuvmi (berdazimer) side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Burning, itching, crusting, or peeling of treated skin
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Change in skin color
- Irritation at application site
Get your GoodRx coupon
Pros and cons of Zelsuvmi (berdazimer)
Pros
- Can be used on people as young as 1 year old
- Applied directly to molluscum skin lesions once daily at home
- May start to see improvements in MC skin lesions as early as 2 weeks
Cons
- Must mix the gel right before each time you apply
- Must wait 1 hour after applying before swimming, bathing, or washing
- Only available with a prescription
Pharmacist tips for Zelsuvmi (berdazimer)
- In your Zelsuvmi (berdazimer) carton, there are two tubes of gel and a dosing guide. You’ll need to mix the two gels together right before applying it to your skin lesions.
How to prepare Zelsuvmi (berdazimer) right before each dose:
- Use the dosing guide to measure 0.5 mL of gel from Tube A (berdazimer) and 0.5 mL of gel from Tube B (hydrogel). Squeeze each gel into the separate lanes on the guide to measure them correctly.
- Then, use your fingertip to mix the gels together on the dosing guide for about 20 seconds. Don’t mix the gels directly on the skin.
- Don’t premix Zelsuvmi (berdazimer) and save it for later. Mixing the gels from the two tubes activates the medication. That’s why it’s important that you wait to mix the gels until right before you’re ready to apply it. This helps you get the most out of your treatment.
How to apply Zelsuvmi (berdazimer):
- Only apply Zelsuvmi (berdazimer) to clean, dry molluscum contagiosum skin lesions. Try your best to cover each MC lesion with gel, even if it’s hard to see or reach.
- It’s important to avoid applying the Zelsuvmi (berdazimer) gel to healthy skin or open sores. Also don’t get it into your eyes, mouth, and vagina. If you accidentally do, rinse the area well with water.
- If you run out of Zelsuvmi (berdazimer) gel before you’ve finished applying to each skin lesion, you’ll need to prepare more gel. Clean the dosing guide with a dry tissue. Then, repeat the steps to mix more gel and apply to any untreated lesions.
Tips for after you apply Zelsuvmi (berdazimer):
- After you apply Zelsuvmi (berdazimer), wash your hands (unless you’re treating your hands). Wait at least 10 minutes for the medication to dry before going about your day. This will help prevent the gel from getting onto other areas or coverings.
- Rinse off any remaining gel on the dosing guide with mild soap and water. Then, dry it with a cloth, and put it back in the carton for next time. Be sure to keep the dosing guide since you’ll need to reuse it.
- It’s best to wait at least 1 hour after applying Zelsuvmi (berdazimer) before swimming, bathing, or washing. This will give enough time for the medication to get absorbed into your skin lesions.
- If your skin gets painful, itchy, swollen, or red and it lasts longer than 24 hours, be sure to let your prescriber or pharmacist know. You may be having an allergic skin reaction to Zelsuvmi (berdazimer), and you might need to stop using the medication.
Common questions about Zelsuvmi
No, Zelsuvmi isn’t available as an over-the-counter (OTC) medication. You can only get this medication with a prescription from a healthcare professional.
Zelsuvmi was FDA approved for treating molluscum contagiosum in January 2024. But it didn’t officially become available at pharmacies until July 2025.
In clinical trials, many people who used Zelsuvmi had big improvements in their molluscum bumps (lesions) after 12 weeks. For a little over 30% of people, all their skin lesions went away. And of those who had bothersome symptoms, almost 90% felt better within 12 weeks. Keep an eye on how your skin lesions are improving. If you aren’t sure the medication is working, contact your prescriber. They may recommend switching to another treatment option.
It may take a couple weeks or more for Zelsuvmi to improve your skin lesions. Some may begin to see a difference in their skin lesions as early as 2 weeks. But for many people, it can take about 12 weeks for all their skin lesions to completely go away. It’s important to keep using Zelsuvmi as recommended by your prescriber, even if you don’t see any changes right away. If you have questions about how long it might take to work, reach out to your prescriber or pharmacist.
There are a few steps to follow when applying Zelsuvmi. First, squeeze equal amounts (0.5 mL) of gel from Tube A and Tube B onto the two lanes of the dosing guide. Next, use your fingertip to mix the gels directly on the dosing guide for 20 seconds. Right after mixing, cover each molluscum bump with a thin, even layer of gel once a day. Try your best to apply to every lesion, even if it’s hard to see or reach. Contact your prescriber or pharmacist if you have questions about how to apply Zelsuvmi.
After you get Zelsuvmi from the pharmacy, store the medication at room temperature (68°F to 77°F) in a dry place for up to 60 days. Keep it away from heat or open flames since it contains alcohol and is flammable. After 60 days or when you’re done with treatment (whichever comes first), throw away any leftover Zelsuvmi in the trash. Also don’t save any premixed gel. This is because once mixed, the medication is activated and might not work as well if you wait to use it.
If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, you should tell your healthcare team before using Zelsuvmi. There isn’t any information to know how safe it is to use the medication while pregnant or breastfeeding. This is because it hasn’t been studied. Your prescriber will discuss with you about any risks or benefits of Zelsuvmi. They’ll help you decide what the safest option is for you.
Like Zelsuvmi, Ycanth (cantharidin) is a topical medication for molluscum contagiosum. Both are used for adults and children, but the age limits are different. Zelsuvmi can be used in children as young as 1 year old, while Ycanth is approved for those 2 years and older. Another key difference is the treatment process. For Ycanth, a healthcare professional needs to apply the medication to the skin lesions once every 3 weeks. And you’ll have extra skin care steps to follow at home after each visit. Zelsuvmi can be more convenient because you apply it onto the lesions at home. But you need to use it once every day. Talk to your prescriber to compare the medications and see which is right for you.
How to save using GoodRx
Risks and warnings for Zelsuvmi (berdazimer)
Zelsuvmi (berdazimer) 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.
Skin reactions
Zelsuvmi (berdazimer) can cause a skin reaction where you apply the gel. This can include allergic contact dermatitis. Watch out for pain, itching, swelling, or redness at the treated area that lasts longer than 24 hours. If you think you or your child is having an allergic skin reaction, contact your prescriber or pharmacist. They may recommend stopping the medication.
Zelsuvmi (berdazimer) dosage
Carton| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 tubes of gel of 10.3% | 1 carton | $1,918.04 | $1,918.04 |
Typical dosage for Zelsuvmi (berdazimer)
Zelsuvmi (berdazimer) comes as two tubes containing different ingredients. Mix together 0.5 mL of gel from Tube A (berdazimer) and 0.5 mL of gel from Tube B (hydrogel).
Then, apply an even, thin layer of the mixed gel once daily to each MC lesion on the skin for up to 12 weeks.
How much does Zelsuvmi (berdazimer) cost?
$1,918.04
