Mirvaso shows long-term efficacy for facial redness

Results of a long-term, multicenter study show that brimonidine is effective in treating moderate-to-severe facial erythema caused by rosacea.

Researchers studied brimonidine (Mirvaso, Galderma) in 449 patients ages 18 and older, 276 of who used the gel for at least 12 months. Patients applied the treatment once a day, during which time the severity of erythema and adverse events were noted and evaluated. Patients were permitted to use other treatments for rosacea, both topical and oral. The study noted that treatments were effective starting on the first day of use.

“The most significant finding is that we now have a safe and effective treatment for the persistent redness of rosacea that can be used long-term and does not lose its efficacy,” study author Jonathan Weiss, M.D., tells Dermatology Times.

The study noted no evidence of tachyphylaxis. The authors also noted that there were no new major safety problems or side effects aside from the ones noticed in the first round of testing. Some of the side effects noted in the original testing were flushing, erythema, worsening of rosacea, nasopharyngitis, burning sensation on the skin, increased intraocular pressure, and headache.

Brimonidine received approval by the Food and Drug Administration in August, following two identical studies involving 553 participants, 269 of who were treated with the drug for 29 days, with a subsequent four-week follow-up period. These studies demonstrated the safety and efficacy of brimonidine as a treatment for persistent, nontransient facial erythema of rosacea.

The study was published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology.