Comprehensive medication guide to Finacea including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
$5–$30 copay for generic azelaic acid 15% gel on Tier 1–2 commercial plans; some plans require prior authorization or step therapy before coverage is approved. Medicare Part D coverage varies by plan.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$107–$263 retail for generic azelaic acid 15% gel; as low as $27 with a GoodRx coupon or $38 with SingleCare for a 50g tube. Brand-name Finacea foam retails for approximately $606 for a 50g can without insurance.
Medfinder Findability Score
82/100
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Finacea is the brand name for azelaic acid 15% topical gel and foam, a prescription treatment for mild-to-moderate rosacea. Manufactured by LEO Pharma, it is FDA-approved to treat the inflammatory papules and pustules (red bumps) associated with rosacea. A generic version of the gel (azelaic acid 15% gel) is widely available from multiple manufacturers.
Azelaic acid is a naturally occurring dicarboxylic acid found in grains like wheat and rye. At the 15% prescription concentration, it works to reduce skin inflammation, inhibit bacterial growth, and help normalize skin cell turnover. The medication is applied twice daily — morning and evening — to the affected facial areas.
Finacea comes in two formulations: a gel (in a tube or pump bottle) and a foam (in a pressurized can). Both contain the same 15% concentration of azelaic acid. The foam is generally better tolerated (less burning and stinging) but is harder to find and more expensive than the gel.
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The exact mechanism by which Finacea treats rosacea is not fully understood, as stated in the FDA prescribing information. However, azelaic acid is believed to work through multiple complementary mechanisms. It reduces skin inflammation by decreasing the production of reactive oxygen species — the inflammatory chemicals that cause redness and lesion formation in rosacea.
Azelaic acid also inhibits bacterial protein synthesis, reducing the growth of skin bacteria including Cutibacterium acnes. Additionally, it inhibits follicular keratinization — the buildup of skin cells inside pores that contributes to comedone formation. Together, these actions reduce the inflammatory lesions, redness, and skin congestion associated with rosacea.
Azelaic acid is also a mild inhibitor of tyrosinase, an enzyme that produces melanin (skin pigment). This gives it some beneficial effect on post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (dark spots), and is why it is sometimes used off-label for skin discoloration conditions. However, this same property can rarely cause unintended skin lightening with long-term use.
15% — gel
Azelaic acid 15% gel in tube or pump bottle; standard dispensing size 50g; apply thin layer twice daily
15% — foam
Azelaic acid 15% foam in pressurized aluminum can; standard dispensing size 50g; shake well before use; flammable — avoid fire/flame during application
As of 2026, Finacea is not on the FDA drug shortage list. Generic azelaic acid 15% gel is widely available at major chain pharmacies (CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Kroger) and is manufactured by multiple companies. Most patients can fill the generic gel without significant difficulty.
The brand-name Finacea foam is less widely stocked at retail pharmacies. The foam generic has been FDA-approved but is not yet widely distributed. Patients prescribed the foam may need to call ahead or use a mail-order pharmacy to fill their prescription. Insurance prior authorization requirements and step therapy policies can also delay access even when the drug is physically available.
If you're having trouble finding Finacea, medfinder calls pharmacies near you to check which ones can fill your prescription. You provide the medication name, dosage, and location — and get results sent to your phone.
Finacea (azelaic acid 15%) is not a controlled substance and requires no special DEA authorization to prescribe. Any licensed prescriber with full or collaborative prescribing authority may write for it. It is commonly prescribed by:
Dermatologists (most common prescribers for rosacea)
Primary care physicians (family medicine, internal medicine)
Nurse practitioners (NPs) with prescribing authority
Physician assistants (PAs) with prescribing authority
Aesthetic medicine providers (MD, NP, or PA licensed to prescribe)
Since Finacea is not a controlled substance, it is also available through telehealth platforms. Services such as Curology, Hims/Hers, Teladoc, MDLive, and Zocdoc can provide virtual consultations for rosacea and send a prescription directly to your pharmacy or ship the medication to you. Telehealth is often the fastest path to getting a prescription — same-day or next-day consultations are typically available.
No. Finacea (azelaic acid 15%) is not a controlled substance and has no DEA drug scheduling. It does not have abuse potential and carries no special dispensing restrictions associated with controlled substances.
Because it is not scheduled, Finacea can be prescribed by any licensed provider with prescribing authority — including primary care physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants — without any special DEA registration or waiver. It can also be prescribed through telehealth platforms without additional restrictions. Prescriptions may be called in, faxed, or sent electronically.
The most common side effects occur at the application site and often improve after the first few weeks of use:
Burning, stinging, or tingling (reported in ~29% of gel users in clinical trials)
Pruritus (itching) (~11% with gel)
Scaling, dry skin, or xerosis (~8% with gel)
Temporary redness or irritation at application site
Hypersensitivity reactions: angioedema, facial swelling, urticaria, difficulty breathing (rare — stop use and seek emergency care)
Hypopigmentation (skin lightening) — isolated reports, particularly in patients with darker skin tones
Worsening of asthma — reported in post-marketing experience
Exacerbation of recurrent cold sores (herpes labialis)
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Soolantra (ivermectin 1% cream)
Once-daily topical antiparasitic; meta-analyses show superior efficacy to azelaic acid for papulopustular rosacea; generic available
MetroGel (metronidazole 0.75-1%)
Oldest established topical rosacea treatment; broadly available as generic; slightly less effective than azelaic acid in head-to-head trials; lowest cost option
Mirvaso (brimonidine 0.33% gel)
Alpha-adrenergic agonist specifically for facial erythema (redness); fast-acting but temporary; not indicated for papules or pustules
Rhofade (oxymetazoline 1% cream)
Another alpha-agonist for rosacea erythema; once-daily; similar mechanism to brimonidine; not for papulopustular lesions
Oracea (doxycycline 40 mg)
Sub-antimicrobial oral anti-inflammatory; FDA-approved for rosacea; appropriate for moderate-severe cases or as adjunct to topical therapy
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Alcohol-based skincare products
minorConcurrent use increases skin irritation and dryness; avoid alcoholic cleansers, toners, and astringents while using Finacea
Abrasive exfoliants and peeling agents
minorUsing scrubs, high-strength retinoids, or peeling agents with Finacea can increase skin irritation; use with dermatologist guidance
Occlusive dressings
minorCovering Finacea application site with bandages or wrappings increases absorption and skin irritation; avoid occlusive coverings
Finacea (azelaic acid 15%) is a clinically proven, first-line treatment for mild-to-moderate rosacea. It is effective at reducing the red bumps, pimple-like lesions, and facial redness associated with the condition. In head-to-head clinical trials, it outperformed metronidazole 0.75% gel, and about 78% of patients showed good-to-excellent improvement over 12 weeks.
For most patients, the generic azelaic acid 15% gel is the best choice: it is widely available, FDA-approved as bioequivalent to the brand, and can cost as little as $27 with a GoodRx coupon. Initial skin irritation (burning, stinging) is common in the first few weeks but typically improves. Consistent twice-daily use over 12 weeks is key to getting the full benefit.
If you're having trouble filling your Finacea prescription, medfinder can call pharmacies near you to find which ones have it in stock, saving you the time and frustration of calling around yourself.
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Our medication guides are researched and written to help patients make informed decisions. All content is reviewed for accuracy and updated regularly. Learn more about our standards
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