When applying the cream, use only a small amount of medicine and apply a thin film to clean, dry skin that is affected by acne. It is important to rub it in gently but well.

After applying azelaic acid cream, wash your hands well to remove any medicine that may remain on them.

Keep this medicine away from the eyes, other mucous membranes, such as the mouth, lips, and inside of the nose, and sensitive areas of the neck. If the medicine accidently gets on these areas, wash with water at once.

To help clear up your acne completely, it is very important that you keep using this medicine for the full time of treatment , even if your symptoms begin to clear up after a short time. If you stop using this medicine too soon, your acne may return or get worse.

Dosing

The dose of azelaic acid will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of azelaic acid. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

• For topical dosage form (cream):
  • For acne:
    • Adults and teenagers Apply a small amount two times a day, usually in the morning and the evening, to areas affected by acne. Rub in gently but well. When you are just beginning to use the medicine, your doctor may want you to apply the medicine only one time a day for a few days, to reduce the chance of skin irritation.
    • Children Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, use it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Keep the medicine from freezing. Do not refrigerate.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For azelaic acid, the following should be considered:

Allergies Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to azelaic acid. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy Azelaic acid has not been studied in pregnant women.

Breast-feeding Small amounts of azelaic acid are absorbed through the skin into the bloodstream. It is possible that tiny amounts of the medicine may pass into the breast milk. However, this medicine has not been reported to cause problems in nursing babies.

Children Studies of this medicine have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of azelaic acid in children with use in other age groups.

Older adults Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing use of azelaic acid in the elderly with use in other age groups.

Other medicines Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are using any other topical prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine that is to be applied to the same area of the skin.