Comprehensive medication guide to Rhofade including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
$50–$60 typical copay for commercially insured patients after prior authorization; $0 possible with Mayne Pharma Copay Savings Card. Medicare Part D coverage is limited and plan-dependent.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$861 retail for brand-name Rhofade (30g tube); as low as $45 with GoodRx or discount coupons at participating pharmacies. No FDA-approved generic is available as of 2026.
Medfinder Findability Score
75/100
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Rhofade is the brand name for oxymetazoline hydrochloride cream, 1% — an FDA-approved topical treatment for persistent facial redness (erythema) associated with rosacea in adults. It was first approved by the FDA on January 18, 2017, and is currently commercialized by Mayne Pharma in the United States.
Rhofade is classified as a topical alpha-1A adrenoceptor agonist. It is available as a white to off-white cream in a 30g laminated tube or airless pump bottle. As of 2026, no FDA-approved generic version exists, and the drug remains under patent protection expected through at least 2027.
Rosacea affects approximately 16 million Americans, causing chronic facial redness, visible blood vessels, and sometimes inflammatory lesions. Rhofade is one of only two FDA-approved topical treatments specifically targeting persistent facial erythema (the other being Mirvaso/brimonidine gel), making it an important option for patients whose primary concern is ongoing visible facial redness.
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Rhofade works through a process called vasoconstriction — it causes the small blood vessels in the skin of the face to narrow, reducing the amount of blood flowing near the skin surface. With less blood near the surface, the redness that characterizes rosacea becomes less visible.
Specifically, oxymetazoline activates alpha-1A adrenoceptors — protein receptors on the smooth muscle cells that line blood vessel walls. When these receptors are activated, the smooth muscle contracts, narrowing the vessel. This is the same mechanism used by nasal decongestant sprays like Afrin (which contain oxymetazoline), but Rhofade is formulated specifically for facial topical use in rosacea.
The vasoconstriction effect begins within 1-3 hours of application and lasts for several hours throughout the day. Because the effect is temporary (not disease-modifying), redness typically returns as the medication wears off. Rhofade treats the visible symptom of redness but does not address the underlying inflammation causing rosacea.
1% — Cream (topical)
Apply pea-sized amount once daily to entire face (forehead, nose, each cheek, chin); avoid eyes and lips. Available in 30g laminated tube or airless pump bottle.
Rhofade is not currently listed in any active FDA shortage, but many patients experience difficulty finding it at their local pharmacy. Its brand-only status (no generic), high retail cost (~$861 per tube), and niche prescribing base mean most pharmacies carry limited or no standing inventory. Many keep it as a special-order item, meaning you may need to wait 1-3 days for your pharmacy to receive it after placing an order.
Availability varies significantly by location. Major urban areas with multiple dermatology practices and high-volume pharmacies tend to have better access than rural areas. Specialty pharmacies focused on dermatology products tend to stock Rhofade more reliably than general retail locations.
Rather than calling multiple pharmacies yourself, medfinder contacts pharmacies near you to find which ones can fill your Rhofade prescription. You provide your medication and location; medfinder texts you results.
Rhofade is not a controlled substance and has no DEA scheduling. Any licensed prescriber with full prescribing authority in their state can write a Rhofade prescription. In practice, the majority of Rhofade prescriptions are written by dermatologists because rosacea is a dermatological condition, but PCPs, NPs, and PAs regularly prescribe it as well.
Dermatologists — most common prescribers; specialize in diagnosing and treating rosacea
Primary Care Physicians (family medicine, internal medicine) — can diagnose and prescribe for mild-to-moderate rosacea
Nurse Practitioners (NPs) — with full prescribing authority, available in most states
Physician Assistants (PAs) — where state law permits, working in dermatology or primary care
Teledermatologists — licensed dermatologists on telehealth platforms can prescribe Rhofade in most states via photo or video consultations
Telehealth is a particularly accessible option for Rhofade prescriptions because rosacea is primarily a visually diagnosed condition. Platforms such as Teladoc Dermatology, MDLive, and DermatologistOnCall can connect patients with board-certified dermatologists who can assess rosacea and prescribe Rhofade, often within 24-48 hours.
No. Rhofade (oxymetazoline hydrochloride cream, 1%) is not a controlled substance. It has no DEA scheduling and no special prescription restrictions beyond a standard written or electronic prescription from a licensed healthcare provider. It can be prescribed and dispensed without the additional paperwork or quantity limits that apply to scheduled medications.
Any licensed prescriber with prescribing authority — including dermatologists, primary care physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and teledermatology providers — can write a Rhofade prescription. Refills follow standard pharmacy practice, and there are no federally mandated limits on refill quantity for non-controlled substances.
Most Rhofade side effects are mild and occur at the application site. Common side effects reported in clinical trials include:
Application site dermatitis (skin irritation, redness, dryness)
Worsening of rosacea lesions (papules, pustules) — rare, ~1% of patients
Itching (pruritus) at the application site
Pain or burning sensation at application site
Temporary rebound redness as the medication wears off
Worsening of cardiovascular conditions or blood pressure (use with caution if you have heart disease or uncontrolled hypertension)
Worsening of narrow-angle glaucoma — seek immediate ophthalmologic evaluation
Signs of vascular insufficiency in patients with Raynaud's phenomenon, scleroderma, or thromboangiitis obliterans
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Mirvaso (brimonidine tartrate gel 0.33%)
Most direct class alternative for facial erythema. Also FDA-approved for rosacea erythema; targets alpha-2 receptors. Some patients report rebound flushing when it wears off. Brand-only, similar price range.
Finacea (azelaic acid gel or foam 15%)
FDA-approved for rosacea; anti-inflammatory mechanism targeting both redness and inflammatory lesions. Effects build over several weeks. Generic available, significantly more affordable.
Soolantra (ivermectin cream 1%)
FDA-approved for inflammatory rosacea lesions. Anti-parasitic targeting Demodex mites. Considered by many dermatologists to be the most effective topical for inflammatory lesions. No generic as of 2026.
Metronidazole topical (MetroGel, generics)
Long-established rosacea treatment with antibiotic and anti-inflammatory properties. Generic widely available and affordable. Less effective for isolated erythema but good for inflammatory component.
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Beta-blockers (metoprolol, propranolol, atenolol)
moderateCombining alpha-1 agonists with beta-blockers can lead to exaggerated blood pressure responses since beta-blockers prevent normal cardiac compensation for vasoconstriction.
MAO Inhibitors (phenelzine, tranylcypromine, selegiline)
majorMAOIs significantly potentiate vasopressor effects of alpha-adrenergic drugs, potentially causing dangerous blood pressure elevation (hypertensive crisis).
Anti-hypertensives (ACE inhibitors, ARBs, calcium channel blockers)
moderateOxymetazoline may blunt or interfere with blood pressure-lowering effects; unpredictable blood pressure fluctuations possible in patients with uncontrolled hypertension.
Cardiac glycosides (digoxin)
moderatePotential for additive cardiovascular effects; monitor patients on digoxin who begin Rhofade therapy.
Alpha-1 adrenergic receptor antagonists (tamsulosin, terazosin, doxazosin)
moderateDirect pharmacological antagonism — alpha-1 blockers counteract Rhofade's mechanism of action, potentially reducing effectiveness and causing unpredictable vascular effects.
Rhofade is one of a small number of FDA-approved treatments specifically targeting the persistent facial redness of rosacea. It works quickly — many patients see improvement within 1-3 hours of application — and is generally well-tolerated when used as directed once daily. Its primary limitations are cost (no generic as of 2026), the need for prior authorization through most major insurers, and inconsistent pharmacy stocking.
If you're prescribed Rhofade, the Mayne Pharma Copay Savings Card (rhofade.com) can dramatically reduce your out-of-pocket cost if you have commercial insurance. GoodRx coupons are a strong option for uninsured or cash-pay patients. And if you run into pharmacy availability issues, talking to your dermatologist or trying a specialty pharmacy can help bridge the gap.
Need help finding Rhofade near you? medfinder contacts pharmacies on your behalf and texts you which ones have your medication in stock, so you can skip the phone calls and get your prescription filled faster.
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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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Medfinder is actively checking pharmacy inventory for Rhofade. We don't publish a number until we have enough verified pharmacy checks to be accurate — start a search and our team confirms current availability near you, usually within 24 hours.
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