Soolantra - will my GP prescribe it?

[ohgoshIdontknow]

I have rosacea and have had Soolantra prescribed by an expensive dermatologist for a year or so.

I haven't got time (or the money tbh) to go back to the dermatologist before we go away soon. Can I ask my NHS GP to prescribe it?

Or can the private GP at my office prescribe it?

I don't want to waste a doctor's time if they can't, so would be very grateful if anyone could advise me...

Thank you!

[margaritasbythesea]

GPS can prescribe it but I suppose whether they do or not depends on the go.

[BWatchWatcher]

You can get it from pharmacy sites on the internet :)

[ohgoshIdontknow]

Thanks both. Very good tip re: pharmacy sites, thank you!

[Sarahlouiseis33]

My doctor would have prescribed it but it's not available for him to prescribe. Rather than book an appointment with a private dermatologist at around £250 I ordered from pharmacy 2 u which was actually recommended by my doctor. With postage the Soolantra cost me around £40 but I use so little it'll last me ages, and it's fantastic - worth every penny!

[thebellsofsaintclements]

My GP prescribed it so I guess it depends where you are in the country? The thing is, it's not working as well as I thought 🙁 Is there a knack to it, or do I just need to give it more time?

[Nearlyadoctor]

GP can prescribe as long it is on their local formulary, if not I'm sure the dermatologist will give you a private prescription which costs about £32 including the soolantra from memory.

[ohgoshIdontknow]

Thank you so much BWatchWather - I have this morning got it from an online pharmacy, which is great. The same place you recommend Sarahlouise. I didn't even know you could do this, thank you so much.

Thanks also to the others for suggestions. The problem is, my dermatologist is SUPER expensive (£300 minimum or £400 just to cross their threshold, before I even pay for the prescription) and I don't want to pay that every three months when my cream runs out.

thebellofsaintclements it works pretty well, not brilliantly, but pretty well I'd say. Although today I had to upload a picture of me to send the online pharmacy to get the prescription and I have to say my face looked VERY red indeed. I would say give it three months to see an effect. Good luck!

Also nearlyadoctor thank you for the info - I am now going to have to google formulary - interesting new word/idea! V helpful, thank you.

[Vagndidit]

Ooohh, can I hijack a bit here? How does the Soolantra compare to metronidazole?

Metrogel used to work pretty well for me when I first was diagnosed but now it barely touches my spots. I've been on an oral antibiotic for 4 weeks with little improvement so far. My nose is a swollen mess, particularly. Wondering if it's worth pushing for a Soolantra Rx from the Gp at my follow-up.

[margaritasbythesea]

There is no comparison in my opinion: metrogel doesn't work for me; Soolantra does. But I have read many threads on rosacea and different things do seem to work for different people. I would certainly say that it is worthwhile a try, though. I haven't had a breakout since I started using it two months ago. Before that it was almost constant.

[hanna87]

@Nearlyadoctor agree -this is exactly how it works in most parts of the country! (I work in meds management )

[CakeThat]

Can I hijack please - I've been using soolantra for just over a week now ( also ordered from an online pharmacy). So far it hasn't helped much. I think in fact that my face is even redder. It's difficult to cover the redness with make up. Is it worth persevering with the soolantra or did most users see a slight improvement from the start? Thanks

[margaritasbythesea]

Mine improved very quickly.

[BWatchWatcher]

Mine too improve d within a couple of days. Well worth it.

I put it on before bed. Only a tiny amount. I am spot free! Though I still blush when tooo hot/stressed etc. I think that will need laser treatment.

[thebellsofsaintclements]

ohgoshidontknow - thanks, I will persevere!

cakethat - same here, but will give it 3 months to see if it makes a difference!

[stephenisjustcoming]

It worked for me within about a week, and now I just get occasional small spots, rather than the massive achey red headless lumps I used to. Plus my skin feels smoother and softer too. I don't use it every day any more, but if I get a breakout I apply before bed. And I still flush, but I think that's more a side effect of being pale and easily embarrassed...

My GP was happy to prescribe for me once I'd explained what it was and the surgery had checked it out; she agreed that being on long term ABs (the only thing that worked for me, plus finacea gel) wasn't a good thing.

[Vagndidit]

Well, my NHS trust apparently does not prescribe Soolantra, so I may try and hunt some down online...

[dramaqueen]

My GP prescribed it too, but as per previous posts I had to explain what it was, and that it was a good alternative to antibiotics. It took around 3 months to make a difference but the redness has definitely reduced.

[ohgoshIdontknow]

Yesterday my Soolantra arrived from pharmacy2u - 71 quid instead of hundreds on a dermatologist appt!

Thank you so much for saving me so much money!