Can topical medications lose their effectiveness?
Topical medications, such as metronidazole, sodium sulfacetamide and azeleic acid are often effective for long term control of the papules associated with rosacea. Rosacea, can however, flare at times and these topical medications may be temporarily inadequate. In these circumstances, dermatologists will often prescribe oral medications, especially tetracycline antibiotics, for short term treatment until the flare subsides. Patients usually continue with their topical therapies during these flare-up periods and continue them afterwards.
