What Is Rozex and How To Use It

Scott McDougallMPharmDirector & Registered Manager

Reviewed on: 10 Feb 2022

Rosacea is a common skin condition that affects as many as 1 in 10 people. Yet despite this, its exact cause is unknown and there is currently no cure. There are, however, medications like Rozex that will effectively treat the symptoms and appearance of rosacea. But what exactly is Rozex? And how long does Rozex take to work?

If you’re affected by rosacea and you’d like to know more about how to treat it using Rozex, you’ve come to the right place.

On this page, we’ll answer any questions you have about Rozex so you know what to expect if you decide to use this treatment. Read on to find out more.

What is Rozex?

Rozex is a gel that is used to treat the symptoms of rosacea.

Also known as Rozex 0.75% Gel, Rozex contains the active ingredient metronidazole in a strength of 0.75%. Metronidazole is a strong and extremely effective antibiotic and antiprotozoal medicine that can combat skin infection, outbreaks and inflammation associated with rosacea when applied topically.

Because of its strength, Rozex is a prescription-only medicine, which means you’ll need a prescription from a doctor or pharmacist before you can start a course of Rozex treatment.

You can buy Rozex from The Independent Pharmacy — all you need to do is fill in a short online consultation form and we can send your prescription to you the very next day.

Metrogel 0.75% Gel is an equivalent topical treatment for rosacea. It contains the same active ingredient (metronidazole) at the same strength.

What is Rozex used for?

Rozex Gel is used as a treatment for rosacea, a common skin condition that causes redness, flushing, inflammation, bumpy rashes and acne-like outbreaks to appear on the sufferer’s face. Rosacea mainly affects the face, and usually occurs on the cheeks, nose, forehead and chin.

Rozex contains the active ingredient metronidazole, which works quickly to treat the symptoms of rosacea.

When you apply Rozex Gel to the affected areas, it treats the skin condition by reducing redness and inflammation and tackling the skin infections that cause or worsen skin irritation.

What can trigger rosacea?

Often, rosacea symptoms are aggravated by a number of triggers, including alcohol, hot drinks, spicy foods or exposure to hot and cold temperatures. If you do notice that your condition is getting worse, it could be down to one of these triggers rather than Rozex. Understanding your triggers will help you avoid skin discomfort and keep your symptoms at bay as much as possible.

How do you use Rozex?

Rozex Gel is very easy to use. Simply follow these instructions:

First, wash and dry your face. You should also wash and dry your hands before application.
Using a clean finger, apply a thin layer of Rozex Gel evenly over the affected area. Rub the gel in well. It is important to avoid applying the gel to wet skin as it may run into the eyes, nostrils or mouth. If this occurs, wash with plenty of water and seek medical advice.
Always replace the cap and wash your hands after use.
Apply any cosmetics or makeup after the gel has been absorbed and dried.
If you are going out into the sun, make sure you use a high-factor sun cream. Rozex Gel becomes ineffective when exposed to strong UV light such as sunlight or sun lamps.

Rozex Gel should be applied to the affected area twice daily: once in the morning and again in the evening. If Rozex is used for three to four months, it should help clear up your rosacea symptoms. However, if your rosacea has not fully cleared over this length of time, you should speak to your doctor to see what they recommend. They may suggest another three to four-month course of treatment.

Can you wear makeup while using Rozex Gel?

Rozex Gel can be used with makeup. Apply the gel as normal in a thin layer and wait until it has fully absorbed before applying your makeup on top — oil-free cosmetics are a good choice.

How long should you continue using Rozex cream?

Rozex doesn’t take long to work and treat rosacea effectively. Once you start a Rozex course of treatment, generally speaking it will take two to three months for the skin to become clear from spots, inflammation, redness and other rosacea symptoms.

However, it can take as little as a few weeks of continuous use to see the positive effects of this rosacea gel. This may vary; each individual is different, and the effectiveness of Rozex will depend on the severity of your rosacea and how well your body reacts to Rozex.

Even if you don’t see positive results for a while, it is still recommended that you finish the prescribed course of treatment. Rozex may take a few months to clear up the skin, so it is important to continue using it as prescribed by your doctor or pharmacist.

Because Rozex contains the potent active ingredient metronidazole, a course of treatment doesn’t usually go on for longer than four months. Your doctor will inform you if there is a good reason to use it for longer than that.

Does Rozex have any side effects?

As with all medicines, there is a chance that Rozex may cause side effects. These side effects are most likely to occur at the start of treatment. Most side effects last for less than a week and are usually mild.

Common side effects of Rozex Gel include:

Dry skin
Redness of the skin (erythema)
Itching of the skin (pruritus)
Skin discomfort (burning, pain, stinging)
Skin irritation
Worsening of rosacea

Because Rozex is applied topically (to the skin), and only a very small amount enters your bloodstream, side effects tend to be limited to the site of application.

If you experience any side effects when using Rozex Gel and are concerned, you should speak to your doctor or pharmacist. They may suggest decreasing the frequency of application to once daily for a week or so, before building this back up to twice daily (if the side effects have abated).

Can Rozex make your skin worse?

Rozex is a clinically proven treatment for rosacea that most people use with success. Generally, users of Rozex find that it has a positive effect on the skin condition.

Due to the strength of the active ingredient metronidazole, tingling or burning of the skin may be experienced after this medication is applied. This may feel irritating and might temporarily make your skin redder or more inflamed. These effects may last for a few minutes or longer, but should subside fairly quickly.

However, if irritation continues or you feel like your rosacea is getting worse, it’s a good idea to speak to your doctor. In rare cases, the skin may become irritated each time you use Rozex, which may make your skin worse, causing dryness, redness or itching.

In this case, you may have to use the gel less frequently, have a break for a few days, or stop using it altogether. Your doctor will be able to advise you further, so that you don’t continue with unnecessary or prolonged use.

Can Rozex cause dry skin?

Rozex may cause dry skin. This doesn’t happen to all people who use Rozex, but it is listed as a common side effect (which means it can affect between 1 in 10 and 1 in 100 people).

Generally, these common side effects last for less than a week and tend to be mild. After this, skin dryness should go away.

Dry skin can be remedied by applying a sensitive moisturiser once the Rozex Gel has been absorbed.

How does Rozex work compared to other rosacea medications?

Here at The Independent Pharmacy, we currently offer many different treatments to help combat rosacea. You can find all of these on our rosacea treatments page. Most of these medications are topical creams or gels, such as Finacea Gel, Mirvaso Gel or Soolantra.

Finacea Gel is a prescription-only gel that contains 15% azelaic acid. The azelaic acid in Finacea has anti-inflammatory properties, which causes it to reduce the redness and swelling of rosacea. To find out more about Finacea, go over to our 'What is Finacea?' page.

In some cases, Mirvaso Gel (brimonidine) may be prescribed to reduce the blood flow believed to cause flushing. It can work quickly, but it has a common side effect of initially worsening the redness, so may not be the first option that your doctor prescribes. You may need to test it on your skin first to see how you react before proper application.

If other rosacea treatments don’t seem to be working, Soolantra may be prescribed by your doctor. Soolantra is the newest rosacea treatment, but clinical trials have shown it to be extremely effective. Its active ingredient ivermectin is both anti-inflammatory and anti-parasitic.

If none of the above topical treatments are helping to alleviate your rosacea symptoms, oral antibiotics may be prescribed. These are stronger and generally have more side effects than topical treatments, so they are normally only considered when other options have failed. These include Efracea Capsules and Erythromycin Tablets.

Ultimately, there is no definitive answer to which is the best treatment for rosacea; it can completely depend on each user’s personal response to the medication. Check out our Common Rosacea Treatments Reviewed page for more information on alternative treatments.

When you buy Rozex from The Independent Pharmacy, you will need to complete a quick online consultation where our trained prescribers will inform you if this is the right treatment for you. If they believe that Rozex will be a safe and effective treatment for your rosacea, your treatment can be delivered as quickly as the next working day.

Who can use Rozex?

Rozex can be taken by most adults; however, it isn't suitable for some people:

Rozex Gel is not recommended for children or anyone under the age of 18 because of its potency.
Rozex may not be suitable for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding (we will cover this more in the section below).
People who are on a blood-thinning medication (anticoagulants) such as warfarin should not use Rozex. This is because of the small chance it may interfere with this medication.
Patients who suffer from blood disorders are also advised not to use Rozex.
Rozex Gel should not be used if you are allergic to metronidazole or any of the other listed ingredients (which you can find in the comprehensive Patient Information Leaflet that accompanies the medicine). If you have previously experienced an allergic reaction to a similar medication, you should also inform your doctor or pharmacist before starting a course of Rozex.

If you fall into any of the above categories, it is important to inform your doctor or pharmacist; they will be able to tell you whether Rozex is safe for you to use and suggest alternative treatments if this is not the case.

Can you use Rozex while pregnant?

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, it may not be advisable to use Rozex Gel unless your doctor considers it essential.

This is because metronidazole, the active ingredient in Rozex, enters the bloodstream after being applied. Although these amounts are extremely low, it is currently unknown how this might affect pregnancy or a baby during breastfeeding. Because its safety during pregnancy has not yet been fully established, it is recommended that expectant mothers do not use Rozex.

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, you should ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.

Summary

Rozex Gel is used as a treatment for rosacea, a common skin condition that mainly affects the face, causing redness, flushing, inflammation, bumpy rashes and acne-like outbreaks.

Rozex contains the active ingredient metronidazole, which works quickly to effectively treat the symptoms of rosacea.

Rozex cannot be bought over the counter and is only available on prescription. If you suffer from rosacea and think it may be the right treatment for you, you can buy Rozex from The Independent Pharmacy. All you need to do is fill in a short online questionnaire — it’s quick and free to do — and we can deliver it to you the very next day.