Why Is Soolantra for Rosacea So Expensive?

Soolantra, a prescription topical cream, is widely recognized for its effectiveness in treating the bumps and pimples associated with inflammatory rosacea. It works by targeting the microscopic skin mites that are believed to contribute to the condition, and many users find that it significantly reduces redness and helps clear their skin. Rosacea affects more than 14 million adults in the United States. But treatment options are not always affordable. Despite its popularity, the high cost leaves many Americans asking: Why is Soolantra so expensive?

Well, the high cost of Soolantra in the U.S. is influenced by several factors. This includes patent protection, market dynamics, and insurance coverage limitations. Understanding these factors can help you make informed decisions about your treatment options. This guide explores what Soolantra is, the reasons behind its pricing, and practical strategies to access it affordably, ensuring effective rosacea management without financial strain.

Understanding Soolantra’s Popularity Despite the Price

Despite the high cost of Soolantra cream, it remains one of the most effective treatments for rosacea. Soolantra’s active ingredient, ivermectin 1% cream, has become a popular choice for managing rosacea, thanks to its unique approach. Research highlights two main ways ivermectin works on the skin. 

First, it has antiparasitic properties. Ivermectin is effective against microscopic parasites called Demodex mites, which inhabit hair follicles and are found in higher numbers in people with rosacea. By reducing these mites, the cream helps address one of the underlying contributors to inflammation and irritation.

Second, ivermectin exhibits anti-inflammatory effects. Studies show that it can inhibit the production of inflammatory cytokines and enhance levels of interleukin-10, a naturally occurring anti-inflammatory agent. This dual action helps calm the redness, bumps, and irritation commonly associated with rosacea, without relying on antibiotics.

Unlike traditional antibiotic creams, Soolantra’s formulation avoids concerns about antibiotic resistance while still delivering effective symptom relief. Its combination of targeting both parasites and inflammation explains why many patients see significant improvement, even though the Solantra cost vs. effectiveness debate continues to be a common concern. By addressing the root causes of rosacea rather than just the symptoms, ivermectin offers a modern, targeted approach to managing this chronic skin condition.

What Drives Soolantra’s Premium Price Tag?

The reasons for the rising cost of Soolantra stem from a combination of market forces, healthcare policies, and its unique clinical benefits. Let’s break down the key factors:

Patent

Soolantra’s manufacturer benefits from significant patent protections and regulatory exclusivity awarded after FDA approval. These protections prevent competitors from introducing generic versions for a set period, enabling the manufacturer to control pricing and potentially charge a premium. This exclusivity helps them recoup research and development costs but means no price-lowering competition is allowed while the exclusivity lasts, directly influencing Soolantra pricing factors and resulting in higher prices at the pharmacy counter.

Limited Competition

Soolantra is a relatively new entry in the rosacea market. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, it stands out because few other branded products offer the same active ingredient: topical ivermectin. In the U.S., brand-name drugs can launch at high prices because pricing regulations are less strict than in other countries. Manufacturers often set prices based on demand, clinical differentiation, and market position. This strategy frequently results in higher initial prices, especially when generic alternatives are not available.

Insurance

Insurance coverage for Soolantra can be inconsistent. According to the AAFP review, while some health plans may cover most of Soolantra’s cost, others offer limited coverage or impose high co-payments. 

For patients paying out-of-pocket, the Soolantra price without insurance is often prohibitive. 

Marketing and Advertising Costs

Marketing and advertising expenses might also contribute to Soolantra’s high price in the U.S. According to a report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), drug manufacturers spend nearly $6 billion each year on direct-to-consumer advertising [7]. This suggests that higher promotional spending can influence overall drug pricing, and Soolantra’s cost may partly reflect such expenses.

Generic Alternatives to Soolantra

Fortunately, patients have several options for reducing Soolantra costs or finding cheaper alternatives to Soolantra. These choices can make rosacea treatment more affordable without sacrificing results.

Generic Soolantra Options 

As of August 2025, several FDA-approved generic versions of Soolantra (ivermectin 1% cream) are available, although availability may vary by pharmacy. These generics can provide the same effectiveness as brand-name Soolantra but often at a lower cost.

Topical Alternatives to Soolantra

Metronidazole gel or cream remains a proven rosacea treatment option. While effective, clinical trials have shown it to be less potent than Soolantra. A key difference is its significantly lower cost, typically $100-150 for a tube with insurance. You can buy the 60g metronidazole gel 0.75% for $50 from a Canadian pharmacy through Doctorsolve.com

Azelaic acid cream (Finacea) offers another Soolantra alternative. This medication reduces inflammation and has antibacterial properties that help control rosacea symptoms. Azelaic acid typically costs $150-200 but may be covered better by insurance than Soolantra. You can buy the 30g azelaic acid cream 20% for $45 from a Canadian pharmacy through Doctorsolve.com

Low-dose doxycycline (Oracea) offers systemic inflammatory control for rosacea patients. While not targeting Demodex mites directly, oral antibiotics can effectively manage the inflammatory component of rosacea at a fraction of Soolantra’s cost. You can buy the 80 capsules of doxycycline monohydrate (oracea) 40mg for $265 from a Canadian pharmacy through Doctorsolve.com

Some patients use oral antibiotics as initial therapy to control active inflammation, then switch to topical treatments for long-term maintenance. This approach can reduce overall rosacea treatment costs while maintaining symptom control.

Soolantra Cream from Canadian Pharmacies

Online Canadian pharmacies offer price relief on Soolantra compared to U.S. pharmacies. For example, a 30g tube of Soolantra 1% cream may cost around $175 when ordered through a reputable online pharmacy. Compared to the average U.S. retail price of nearly $800, this represents a significant savings. 

The convenience of online pharmacies further enhances this benefit, as customers can easily place orders from home and have the medication delivered directly to their door. These pharmacies are able to reduce overhead costs by operating without the need for multiple physical locations, allowing them to pass on the savings to consumers. 

Ultimately, Canadian pharmacies are cheaper due to government price controls on prescription drugs, which do not exist in the U.S. and result in lower wholesale prices for medications like Soolantra.

However, American customers should ensure they use safe online Canadian pharmacies that require valid prescriptions and follow safety regulations.

You can buy 30g Soolantra cream 1% for $175 from a Canadian pharmacy through Doctorsolve.com.

FAQs

Does insurance cover Soolantra?

Insurance coverage for Soolantra (ivermectin 1% cream) varies by plan. Some state health programs, like South Carolina’s, exclude it, while others, such as Minnesota’s Medicaid program, may cover it with prior authorization. Coverage depends on your specific insurance policy and requirements.

Is there a generic version?

Yes, a generic version of Soolantra (ivermectin cream 1%) is available in the U.S., approved by the FDA, and supplied by several manufacturers, including Teva and Zydus. 

Do you need to use Soolantra indefinitely?

Rosacea is a chronic condition, but Soolantra doesn’t require indefinite use for all patients. Most dermatologists recommend an initial treatment course of 12-16 weeks to achieve maximum benefits and assess long-term needs.

How can you lower out-of-pocket expenses?

You can lower Soolantra costs by using manufacturer assistance programs, pharmacy discount cards, or 90-day mail-order refills. Licensed Canadian pharmacies may offer cheaper options, but check import rules. Discuss lower-cost alternatives such as metronidazole, azelaic acid, or doxycycline with your dermatologist.

Making an Informed Choice: Balancing Cost & Efficacy

While Soolantra has proven to be a highly effective option for managing rosacea, its price tag often leaves patients weighing financial strain against symptom relief. Understanding the factors behind its cost: patent protections, limited competition, and uneven insurance coverage helps clarify why access can be so challenging. This matters because rosacea is not only a medical condition but also one that affects confidence, comfort, and quality of life. When treatment feels out of reach, patients may delay care or settle for less effective options. The good news is that realistic alternatives exist. Generic ivermectin creams, other topical and oral therapies, and Canadian online pharmacies can make treatment more affordable without compromising results. Exploring these options, checking insurance benefits, and discussing alternatives with a dermatologist can empower you to find an approach that fits both your needs and your budget.

References

• National Library of Medicine. (2012). Red in the Face 
• National Library of Medicine. (2015). Soolantra (Ivermectin) 1% Cream: A Novel, Antibiotic-Free Agent Approved for the Treatment of Patients with Rosacea
• SpringerPlus. (2016). The efficacy, safety, and tolerability of ivermectin compared with current topical treatments for the inflammatory lesions of rosacea: a network meta-analysis
• FDA.gov. (2014). Center For Drug Evaluation And Research
• AAFP.org. (2016). Ivermectin 1% Cream (Soolantra) for Inflammatory Lesions of Rosacea
• GAO.gov. (2021). Prescription Drugs: Medicare Spending on Drugs with Direct-to-Consumer Advertising
• Teva.com. (2016). Teva Announces the U.S. Launch of its Generic Version of SOOLANTRA® (ivermectin) Cream, 1% for Once Daily Treatment of Rosacea
• Drugs.com. (2025). Generic Soolantra Availability
• National Library of Medicine. (2023). Rosacea Topical Treatment and Care: From Traditional to New Drug Delivery Systems
• Health Canada. (2021). Choosing a safe online pharmacy
• FDA.gov. (2023). Frequently Asked Questions About Drugs
• MN.gov. (2018). Soolantra