Comprehensive medication guide to Soolantra including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
$30–$100+ copay with insurance; often Tier 3 on commercial plans; step therapy and prior authorization commonly required before coverage is approved.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$378–$974 retail for brand-name Soolantra 45g tube; as low as $93–$101 with GoodRx or SingleCare coupons for generic ivermectin 1% cream for a 45-day supply.
Medfinder Findability Score
72/100
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Soolantra is the brand name for ivermectin 1% topical cream, manufactured by Galderma Laboratories, L.P. It was approved by the U.S. FDA on December 23, 2014, for the treatment of inflammatory lesions of rosacea in adults. Generic ivermectin 1% cream is also available and is considered bioequivalent.
Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that causes persistent redness, visible blood vessels, and inflammatory bumps and pustules—primarily on the face. Soolantra is specifically indicated for the papules and pustules (inflammatory lesions) of papulopustular rosacea. It is not indicated for facial background redness or telangiectasia alone.
Soolantra comes as a white to pale yellow cream in 30g, 45g, and 60g tubes. It is applied once daily to the affected areas of the face using a pea-sized amount per area (forehead, chin, nose, each cheek), avoiding the eyes and lips.
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The exact mechanism of action of Soolantra in treating rosacea is not fully established. However, research points to two complementary pathways. First, ivermectin is a potent antiparasitic agent that kills Demodex mites—microscopic organisms that colonize facial skin pores at higher density in rosacea patients. Reducing Demodex populations is believed to decrease one of the inflammatory triggers of rosacea flares.
Second, ivermectin has demonstrated direct anti-inflammatory properties in laboratory studies, potentially suppressing the cytokine signaling pathways that drive skin inflammation in rosacea. This dual mechanism makes Soolantra an antibiotic-free option for reducing inflammatory lesions.
At therapeutic topical doses, Soolantra absorbs minimally into the bloodstream (peak plasma level ~2.10 ng/mL) and does not inhibit or induce cytochrome P450 enzymes, resulting in a very low drug interaction profile. Significant improvement in inflammatory lesion counts is typically seen within 4 weeks, with continued improvement through 12 weeks.
1% — cream
Apply pea-sized amount to each affected facial area (forehead, chin, nose, each cheek) once daily. Supplied in 30g, 45g, and 60g tubes.
Soolantra is not on the FDA's official drug shortage list in 2026. However, patients regularly report difficulty getting it filled. The primary barriers are not supply-chain related—they are cost, insurance coverage hurdles, and inconsistent pharmacy stocking. Brand Soolantra retails at $378–$974+ for a 45g tube, and insurance plans commonly require prior authorization or step therapy (trying metronidazole or azelaic acid first).
Not all pharmacies keep Soolantra or generic ivermectin cream on their shelves. Larger chain pharmacies (CVS, Walgreens, Costco) are more likely to stock it, but availability varies by location. Using a prescription price comparison service like GoodRx or calling ahead is highly recommended. With a GoodRx or SingleCare coupon, generic ivermectin 1% cream can be obtained for approximately $93–$101 for a 45g tube.
If you're having trouble locating Soolantra at a pharmacy near you, medfinder calls local pharmacies on your behalf to find which ones can fill your prescription, then texts you the results.
Soolantra is not a controlled substance and has no DEA scheduling requirements. Any licensed healthcare provider with prescriptive authority can prescribe it for appropriate patients with rosacea. Providers who commonly prescribe Soolantra include:
Dermatologists — most common prescribers; specialize in rosacea diagnosis and management
Primary Care Physicians (family medicine, internal medicine)
Nurse Practitioners (NPs) — in most states with prescriptive authority
Physician Assistants (PAs) — with supervising or collaborative physician as required by state
Telehealth prescribing for Soolantra is widely available. Platforms including Teladoc, Doctor on Demand, Apostrophe, and Curology can evaluate rosacea via video visit or photo submission and prescribe Soolantra in eligible states. Availability varies by platform and state law.
No. Soolantra (ivermectin 1% cream) is not a controlled substance and has no DEA schedule. It does not have abuse or addiction potential. It is a prescription-only medication because a healthcare provider's diagnosis and oversight are needed to ensure it is used appropriately for rosacea.
Because Soolantra is not controlled, there are no special DEA requirements, REMS programs, or prescription monitoring considerations. It can be prescribed by any licensed prescriber with authority to write prescription medications, including dermatologists, PCPs, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. Refills are allowed without restriction.
Soolantra has a highly favorable safety profile. In clinical trials with 2,047 subjects, adverse reactions occurred in ≤1% of patients. Common side effects include:
Skin burning sensation (1.3%)
Skin irritation at application site (1%)
Itching / pruritus (0.8%)
Dry skin (0.7%)
Rare but serious adverse reactions include:
Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis): stop use and seek emergency care immediately if signs of swelling, breathing difficulty, or severe rash occur
Contact dermatitis: broader skin reaction; may require treatment with topical corticosteroids and switching to a different rosacea treatment
Allergic dermatitis: allergic skin inflammation; discontinue use and contact prescriber
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Metronidazole (MetroGel / Metrocream)
First-line topical antibiotic for rosacea; available in 0.75% and 1% strengths; significantly less expensive with generics under $50 with coupons.
Azelaic Acid (Finacea)
FDA-approved 15% gel for mild-to-moderate rosacea; treats both bumps and background redness; applied twice daily; generic available around $40 with coupons.
Doxycycline (Oracea)
Only FDA-approved oral rosacea treatment; 40mg modified-release capsule once daily; useful for moderate-to-severe disease; generic options available at lower cost.
Brimonidine (Mirvaso)
Targets persistent facial redness via vasoconstriction; does not treat inflammatory bumps/pustules; once-daily gel application; complements Soolantra for comprehensive rosacea management.
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Oral ivermectin
minorConcurrent use of topical and oral ivermectin would increase total systemic exposure. Clinical significance is low given minimal topical absorption, but concurrent use is generally not indicated.
Topical corticosteroids
minorNo documented pharmacokinetic interaction, but concurrent use on the same skin area could potentially alter absorption or skin barrier function. Use with caution and apply at different times.
General CYP450 substrates
minorIn vitro studies confirm Soolantra does not inhibit or induce CYP450 enzymes at therapeutic concentrations. No clinically significant interactions with CYP450-metabolized drugs are expected.
Soolantra (ivermectin 1% cream) represents a meaningful advancement in rosacea treatment—offering an antibiotic-free option that outperforms metronidazole gel in head-to-head trials for reducing papules and pustules. Its excellent safety profile, with side effects occurring in fewer than 2% of patients in large clinical trials, makes it well-suited for long-term use in appropriate patients.
The main challenge with Soolantra in 2026 is not efficacy or safety—it's access. High retail prices, insurance barriers, and inconsistent pharmacy stocking create real hurdles for patients. Using GoodRx or SingleCare coupons for the generic version, applying for Galderma CAREConnect patient assistance, or working with your doctor on a prior authorization can all make Soolantra more accessible.
If pharmacy availability is your challenge, medfinder calls pharmacies near you to find which ones have Soolantra in stock and texts you the results—so you can spend less time on hold and more time focusing on your skin health.
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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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