Mirvaso
Generic name: brimonidine tartrate · Brand names: Mirvaso
Class II recall · Ongoing
Lack of Assurance of Sterility
Posted March 5, 2026. Check lot numbers with your pharmacy before taking Mirvaso. View FDA recall notices.
Information sourced from FDA Structured Product Labeling, updated October 24, 2024.
What is it used for?
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE MIRVASO (brimonidine) topical gel, 0.33% is an alpha adrenergic agonist indicated for the topical treatment of persistent (nontransient) erythema of rosacea in adults 18 years of age or older. MIRVASO (brimonidine) topical gel, 0.33% is an alpha adrenergic agonist indicated for the topical treatment of persistent (nontransient) facial erythema of rosacea in adults 18 years of age or older.
How to take it
Apply a pea-sized amount once daily to each of the five areas of the face: central forehead, chin, nose, each cheek. MIRVASO topical gel should be applied smoothly and evenly as a thin layer across the entire face avoiding the eyes and lips. Wash hands after applying MIRVASO topical gel.
MIRVASO topical gel is for topical use only and not for oral, ophthalmic, or intravaginal use. Apply a pea-sized amount once daily to each of the five areas of the face (forehead, chin, nose, each cheek) avoiding the eyes and lips. Hands should be washed immediately after applying MIRVASO topical gel.
For topical use only Not for oral, ophthalmic, or intravaginal use.
Warnings
Potentiation of Vascular Insufficiency Severe Cardiovascular Disease Serious Adverse Reactions Following Ingestion of MIRVASO topical gel Systemic Adverse Reactions of Alpha-2 Adrenergic Agonists Local Vasomotor Adverse Reactions Hypersensitivity
Potentiation of Vascular Insufficiency
MIRVASO topical gel should be used with caution in patients with depression, cerebral or coronary insufficiency, Raynaud’s phenomenon, orthostatic hypotension, thrombangiitis obliterans, scleroderma, or Sjögren’s syndrome.
Severe Cardiovascular Disease Alpha-2
adrenergic agonists can lower blood pressure. MIRVASO topical gel should be used with caution in patients with severe or unstable or uncontrolled cardiovascular disease.
Serious Adverse Reactions Following Ingestion
of MIRVASO topical gel Two young children of a subject in a clinical trial experienced serious adverse reactions following accidental ingestion of MIRVASO topical gel. Adverse reactions experienced by one or both children included lethargy, respiratory distress with apneic episodes (requiring intubation), sinus bradycardia, confusion, psychomotor hyperactivity, and diaphoresis. Both children were hospitalized overnight and discharged the following day without sequelae.
Keep MIRVASO topical gel out of the reach of children.
Systemic Adverse Reactions of Alpha-2 Adrenergic
Agonists Postmarketing cases of bradycardia, hypotension (including orthostatic hypotension) and dizziness have been reported. Some cases required hospitalization. Some cases involved application of MIRVASO topical gel in unapproved dosing regimens and for unapproved indications, including the application of MIRVASO topical gel following laser procedures.
Avoid applying MIRVASO topical gel to irritated skin or open wounds.
Local Vasomotor Adverse Reactions Erythema
Some subjects in the clinical trials discontinued use of MIRVASO topical gel because of erythema. Some subjects in the clinical trials reported a rebound phenomenon, where erythema was reported to return worse compared to the severity at baseline. Erythema appeared to resolve after discontinuation of MIRVASO topical gel .. The treatment effect of MIRVASO topical gel may begin to diminish hours after application.
From postmarketing reports, some patients have experienced erythema involving areas of the face that were previously not affected by erythema and in areas (e.g., neck and chest) outside of the treatment sites. Flushing Some subjects in the clinical trials discontinued use of MIRVASO topical gel because of flushing. Intermittent flushing occurred in some subjects treated with MIRVASO topical gel in the clinical trials.
The onset of flushing relative to application of MIRVASO topical gel varied, ranging from approximately 30 minutes to several hours . Flushing appeared to resolve after discontinuation of MIRVASO topical gel. From postmarketing reports, some patients have experienced increased frequency of flushing and/or increased depth of erythema with the flushing. Additionally, some patients reported new onset of flushing.
Pallor and Excessive Whitening From postmarketing reports, some patients have experienced pallor or excessive whitening at or outside the application site following treatment with MIRVASO topical gel.
Hypersensitivity Allergic
contact dermatitis was reported in the clinical trials for MIRVASO topical gel . Events reported post marketing with the use of MIRVASO topical gel include angioedema, throat tightening, tongue swelling, and urticaria, . Institute appropriate therapy and discontinue MIRVASO topical gel, if clinically significant hypersensitivity reaction occurs.
Who should not take it
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS MIRVASO topical gel is contratindicated in patients who have experienced a hypersensitivity reaction to any component. Reactions have included angioedema, urticaria, and contact dermatitis . Known hypersensitivity to any component of MIRVASO topical gel
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Pregnancy Category B. There
are no adequate and well-controlled studies of MIRVASO topical gel in pregnant women. In animal studies, brimonidine crossed the placenta and entered into the fetal circulation to a limited extent. MIRVASO topical gel should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
Brimonidine tartrate was not teratogenic when given at oral doses up to 2.5 mg/kg/day in pregnant rats during gestation days 6 through 15 and 5 mg/kg/day in pregnant rabbits during gestation days 6 through 18.
Breastfeeding
Nursing Mothers It
is not known whether brimonidine tartrate is excreted in human milk, although in animal studies, brimonidine tartrate has been shown to be excreted in breast milk. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions from MIRVASO topical gel in nursing infants, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.
Side effects
The following adverse drug reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections of the label: Systemic Adverse Reactions of Alpha-2 Adrenergic Agonists Local Vasomotor Adverse Reactions Hypersensitivity In controlled clinical trials with MIRVASO topical gel the most common adverse reactions (incidence > 1%) included erythema, flushing, skin burning sensation, and contact dermatitis. To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Galderma Laboratories, L.P. at 1-866-735-4137 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch .
Clinical Trials Experience Because
clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. During clinical trials, 1210 subjects were exposed to MIRVASO topical gel. A total of 833 subjects were treated for persistent (nontransient) erythema associated with rosacea, and 330 of those were treated once daily for 29 days in vehicle-controlled trials.
Adverse reactions that occurred in at least 1% of subjects treated with MIRVASO topical gel once daily for 29 days and for which the rate for MIRVASO topical gel exceeded the rate for vehicle are presented in Table 1. Table 1 - Adverse Reactions Reported in Clinical Trials by at Least 1% of Subjects Treated for 29 Days Preferred Term MIRVASO Topical Gel (N=330) n (%) Vehicle Gel (N=331) n (%) Subjects with at least one adverse reaction, Number (%) of Subjects 109 91 Erythema 12 (4%) 3 (1%) Flushing 9 (3%) 0 Skin burning sensation 5 (2%) 2 (1%) Dermatitis contact 3 (1%) 1 (<1%) Dermatitis 3 (1%) 1 (<1%) Skin warm 3 (1%) 0 Paraesthesia 2 (1%) 1 (<1%) Acne 2 (1%) 1 (<1%) Pain of skin 2 (1%) 0 Vision blurred 2 (1%) 0 Nasal congestion 2 (1%) 0 Open-label, Long-term Study An open-label study of MIRVASO topical gel when applied once daily for up to one year was conducted in subjects with persistent (nontransient) facial erythema of rosacea. Subjects were allowed to use other rosacea therapies.
A total of 276 subjects applied MIRVASO topical gel for at least one year. The most common adverse events ( > 4% of subjects) for the entire study were flushing (10%), erythema (8%), rosacea (5%), nasopharyngitis (5%), skin burning sensation (4%), increased intraocular pressure (4%), and headache (4%). Allergic contact dermatitis Allergic contact dermatitis to MIRVASO topical gel was reported in approximately 1% of subjects across the clinical development program.
Two subjects underwent patch testing with individual product ingredients. One subject was found to be sensitive to brimonidine tartrate, and one subject was sensitive to phenoxyethanol (a preservative).
Postmarketing Experience The
following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of MIRVASO topical gel. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Cardiovascular disorders: bradycardia, hypotension (including orthostatic hypotension) Immune system disorders: angioedema, hypersensitivity, lip swelling, swollen tongue, throat tightness, urticaria Nervous systemic disorders: dizziness Skin and subcutaneous disorders: pallor
All information on this site is provided “as-is” for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment. You should consult with a medical professional if you have any questions about your health. Source: FDA Structured Product Labeling.