Galderma Laboratories, L.P. has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval for MetroGel (metronidazole) Topical Gel, 1%, a topical treatment for the inflammatory lesions of rosacea.

MetroGel Topical Gel, 1% is available by prescription. According to Galderma, the new medication incorporates a higher concentration of metronidazole in a new, technologically advanced vehicle that incorporates HSA-3, a combination of niacinamide, betadex and propylene glycol. The vehicle is a water-based formulation and contains no alcohol.

Another advantage of the new product is that it allows for once-a-day-dosing as opposed to twice-a-day for most other topical rosacea treatments.

"Rosacea is the fourth most common diagnosis made by dermatologists, and we expect that MetroGel 1% will eventually become the number one prescribed topical rosacea treatment," says Scott McCrea, Galderma product manager. Galderma brand MetroGel 0.75% is currently the market leader in topical prescription rosacea treatment.

Albert Draaijer, president of Galderma Laboratories, L.P. says, "The development and approval of MetroGel 1% shows Galderma's ongoing commitment to research and development of new treatments for rosacea and other dermatological disease. We will continue to focus all of our resources on dermatology."