Is Rhofade Discontinued? Rhofade is a cream many people use for red faces, especially for a skin problem called Rosacea. This cream helps calm down the redness by tightening small blood vessels under the skin.
But, recently, people have had a hard time finding Rhofade. Some hear it’s discontinued and need to use something else.
People who really need Rhofade feel worried because maybe it’s the only thing that works for them. So, is Rhofade really discontinued? Why is it hard to find?
Let’s talk about what’s happening with Rhofade. We’ll see if it’s truly gone if it might be back in 2025 if there’s a different kind you can buy, and ways to get it made just for you.
No, Rhofade isn’t completely discontinued right now. It’s not officially stopped or in short supply, says the FDA, which keeps track of medicines.
But, the company making Rhofade, called Novan, is facing some money troubles. They filed for bankruptcy in July 2023. When a company does that, it means they’re in a big financial crisis. To deal with it, they’re selling off stuff, probably including the rights to make Rhofade.
Because of all this financial mess, they’re not making Rhofade for now. That’s why it’s hard to find in pharmacies.
What’s Rhofade, and How Does it Help with Red Faces?
Rhofade is a special medicine doctors give you when your face turns very red because of something called Rosacea. Rosacea is a skin problem that makes parts of your face, like your cheeks and nose, really red and can give you tiny red bumps or pimples.
Here’s how Rhofade works: Imagine your blood vessels are like little tunnels. When you put Rhofade on your face, it makes these tunnels a bit narrower. This helps the redness go away.
You use Rhofade like a cream. Just take a small amount, like the size of a pea, and gently rub it on the red parts of your face once a day.
The main thing inside Rhofade that helps is called Oxymetazoline.
What to Watch for After Using Rhofade: Common Feelings and Tips
Rhofade can sometimes make people feel a little different or have some small issues. Here’s what might happen:
If you notice anything odd after using Rhofade, don’t worry too much. Some common things people might feel are:
- Their Rosacea might get worse.
- The place where they put the cream might feel itchy, hurt a little, or look dry, red, or puffy.
- Their skin might look more red than usual.
- Usually, these feelings or changes go away on their own after some time. But if they stay or start to bother you a lot, it’s a good idea to talk to a doctor or pharmacist.
- Remember, if something feels really wrong or strange, it’s okay to tell the FDA about it using a place called MedWatch.
- Sometimes, Rhofade might cause serious things to happen, but this doesn’t happen a lot. If something really bad is going on, you should call your doctor or 911 right away.
Serious things might include:
- Allergic Reaction: Like with some other medicines, some people might get an allergic reaction to Rhofade. If it’s not too bad, you might notice things like a rash, itchiness, or your skin getting warm and red. But if it’s more serious, your skin might swell in places like your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet. Your tongue, mouth, or throat could also swell, and you might have trouble breathing. If this occurs, reach out to your doctor or dial 911.
- Worsened Rosacea: In really rare cases, Rhofade might make the red bumps from Rosacea get worse. These bumps can be like pimples or red blemishes called papules or pustules. Only about 1% to 3% of adults who use Rhofade might have this happen. But if you’re worried that your Rosacea is getting worse with Rhofade, talk to your doctor.
Remember, if something seems really wrong or scary, it’s important to get help from a doctor or call 911.
What Can You Use Instead Of Rhofade?
If Rhofade doesn’t feel right for you, other medicines can help with Rosacea. Your doctor can suggest different ones that might suit you better.
Here are some examples:
- Differin (adapalene)
- Azelex, Finacea (azelaic acid)
- BenzaClin (clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide)
- Doryx, Oracea (doxycycline)
- Soolantra (ivermectin cream)
- Metrogel, Metrolotion (metronidazole topical)
- Mirvaso (brominidine gel)
- Cleocin T (clindamycin lotion)
Remember, some of these medicines might be used in ways not originally approved by the FDA for Rosacea. If you’re curious about them, chat with your doctor!
How Do Mirvaso And Rhofade Compare for Rosacea?
Mirvaso and Rhofade are medicines for red skin caused by Rosacea. People gave opinions on a website called Drugs.com. For Mirvaso, it got an average rating of 3.2 out of 10. That means some people liked it, but mostly, 74% didn’t find it helpful.
Rhofade got a 3.1 out of 10. Again, a few people said it worked (22%), but most (73%) felt it didn’t help.
These medicines belong to a group called “Topical anti-rosacea agents.” It’s like saying they’re creams or gels for fixing red skin from Rosacea. People’s opinions can be different, so it’s essential to talk to a doctor to find what might work best for you.
Is Rhofade Coming Back? What We Know So Far
It’s not clear if Rhofade will come back. Many people use it for Rosacea, and its patent is still valid. But the company thinking about taking it over hasn’t given a definite answer.
A person reached out to Novan, the old makers of Rhofade, and they said, “Rhofade might come back, but we can’t say when.”
For now, we’ll have to see what happens next.
How Much Does Rhofade Cost?
Rhofade can cost different amounts depending on a few things, like your insurance, where you live, and the pharmacy you go to.
Before your insurance helps with the cost, they might need your doctor to say it’s okay. This is called “prior authorization.” Your doctor and insurance talk about your prescription first, and then the insurance decides if they’ll pay for it.
If you’re not sure about this, ask your insurance company.
Suppose you need some extra help paying for Rhofade or figuring out how your insurance works. Don’t worry. The company that makes Rhofade, EPI Health LLC, has a card that might make it cheaper for you. Just call 855-631-2485 or check their website to see if you qualify. They’re there to help!
Where To Get Rhofade Compound?
If you need the special stuff in Rhofade, Oxymetazoline, for your rosacea cream and can’t find it, there’s one way to get it still. You can ask a special pharmacy, called a compounding pharmacy, to make it for you.
These pharmacies can create medicines using basic ingredients following a doctor’s orders. They might help you keep using Oxymetazoline even while there’s a problem with getting Rhofade.
Is a Cheaper Version of Rhofade Available Yet?
Right now, there’s no cheaper version of Rhofade with the same main stuff inside called Oxymetazoline.
If there were, it would be simple for people and doctors – switch to the cheaper version and save some money.
But, since a brand patent still protects Rhofade, there’s no generic version yet. We’ll have to wait for that.
Strut Health has used Oxymetazoline in their special Rosacea Formula for a long time. It helps control redness and flare-ups in Rosacea.
They make customized rosacea treatments that suit your needs. Their formulas can have different helpful ingredients for even the trickiest rosacea situations.
Whether you want just Oxymetazoline or a mix of things, Their U.S. doctors and pharmacists can sort you out. And guess what? They’ll send your rosacea treatments right to your doorstep.
How to Handle Rhofade: Storage, Expiry, and Disposal Tips!
When you pick up Rhofade from the pharmacy, the person there will put a date on it. This date is like a timer and says it’s good for about one year from when you get it.
This timer helps make sure the medicine works as it should. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says it’s best not to use medication after this timer runs out. If you have some left after the timer, it’s smart to talk to the person at the pharmacy. They can tell you if it’s still okay to use.
Keeping Rhofade Safe: Where you put the medicine matters, too. Rhofade cream likes to be at a regular room temperature, around 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C). If you’re going somewhere and need to take it, you can keep it at a temperature between 59°F to 86°F (15°C to 30°C) for a short time.
Throwing it Away: If you don’t need Rhofade anymore and have some left, don’t just toss it in the trash. That might not be safe. It’s important to get rid of it in a way that won’t hurt others or the environment. You can ask the person at the pharmacy about this or check out some tips in this article. They’ll help you get rid of it the right way.
The Bottom Line
Rhofade hasn’t been discontinued, but there’s a snag. The company making it, Novan, filed for bankruptcy in July 2023, temporarily halting Rhofade production. The situation is uncertain; there’s no clear return date. Some hopeful signs suggest it might come back, but it’s a waiting game. No generic versions are around since Rhofade still has a brand patent. If you’re in a bind, compounding pharmacies can whip up Oxymetazoline, Rhofade’s active ingredient. For now, keep an eye out for updates and explore alternatives with your doctor if needed.
