There are several medical treatments for rosacea, an inflammatory disease of the skin that can be chronic. The disease generally affects adults and can progressively get worse if left untreated. Rosacea can appear as facial red areas, pustules that appear on the chin, nose, forehead and cheeks, accentuated cheek or nose blood vessels or produce easy blushing or eye irritation.
Topical Medications
According to the Mayo Clinic, prescription-level gels, creams or lotions may be used in combination with oral drugs to treat rosacea. Topical medicines may be used to decrease red areas and inflammation. One such medication is metronidazole. Side effects may include dry skin, nausea, eye watering, a metallic taste, tingling sensations in the extremities and skin irritation. Tretinoin is designed to treat acne, but also may be prescribed to treat rosacea. Side effects can include severe dry or red skin, skin peeling and skin that is uncommonly warm.
Oral Antibiotics
Tetracycline is a type of oral antibiotic that can be used to treat rosacea. It is prescription medication, and there are several types of antibiotics classified as tetracyclines including demeclocycline and minicycline. Side effects for tetracyclines in general include light sensitivity, stomach pain, headaches, skin yellowing, nausea, decreased appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, rectal itching, genital itching, soreness on the tongue or in the mouth and dizziness.
Isotretinoin
Isotretinoin, according to the Mayo Clinic, should be used only as a last resort for rosacea treatment. It can cause birth defects in unborn children of pregnant mothers, so it is not recommended for them. Isotretinoin can cause a wide variety of side effects including hair loss, skin crusting, eye dryness, headaches, dandruff, ear noises, insomnia, oily skin, nervousness, wheezing, bleeding, clumsiness, congestion, suicide, weakness, skin paleness, fainting, irritation, indigestion, hypertension, confusion, seizures, aggression, chest pain, dizziness, difficulties with speaking, breathing or swallowing, rectal bleeding, diarrhea, nausea, pain in the back, nosebleeds, depression, pain in the joints, blurry vision and many others.
