Sensitization to and allergic contact dermatitis caused by Mirvaso ® (brimonidine tartrate) for treatment of rosacea – 2 cases

Rosacea is characterized by transient or persistent erythema, telangiectasia, papules and pustules primarily affecting the central facial region. Recently brimonidine tartrate gel 0.33% has been approved for the topical treatment of persistent facial erythema of rosacea (1). Allergic blepharitis caused by brimonidine in patients treated with brimonidine tartrate 0.33% eye drops has been documented (2–4), but allergic contact dermatitis caused by topical brimonidine had only been reported once before (5). We report 2 patients with rosacea who were sensitized and who developed allergic contact dermatitis following treatment with topical brimonidine 0.33%.