tazarotene
Tazarotene 0.1% cream is a prescription topical retinoid that helps smooth fine wrinkles and lessens skin discoloration on the face. It's applied onto the face every evening. This medication is typically used along with a complete skin care routine, which includes sunscreen, and sun-protective clothing. Side effects of the tazarotene cream include skin peeling and redness. It can also raise your risk for sunburns. The brand name for this medication, Avage, is discontinued, but there's a generic version of the cream that's still available.
Note: There are other tazarotene creams that are available for specifically treating acne and plaque psoriasis.
What is Tazarotene cream?
What is Tazarotene cream used for?
Fine wrinkles on the face
Skin discoloration (dark spots or light spots) on the face
How Tazarotene cream works
Tazarotene cream is a retinoid, which is a form of vitamin A. It's unclear exactly how the medication works to lessen the appearance of wrinkles and discolored spots on the face. But it's thought to help skin cells renew faster and boost the amount of collagen in the skin. This might help improve the appearance and texture of skin.
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What are the side effects of Tazarotene cream?
Common Side Effects
- Skin peeling (40%)
- Skin redness (34%)
- Burning sensation (26%)
- Dry skin (16%)
- Skin irritation (10%)
- Itchy skin (10%)
Other Side Effects
- Stinging sensation
- Rash
- Chapped lips
Source: DailyMed
The following side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
Burning or stinging of the skin (severe)
changes in color of the treated skin
deep grooves or lines in the skin
dryness, itching, peeling, or redness of the skin (severe)
pain or swelling of the treated skin
skin rash (in patients with psoriasis only)
Incidence not known
Blistering, crusting, or irritation of the skin
cracked, dry, scaly skin
flaking and falling off of the skin
swelling at or near the application site
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
Burning or stinging after application
dryness, itching, peeling, or redness of the skin (mild)
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Pros and cons of Tazarotene cream
Pros
Works well to improve the appearance of wrinkles and skin discoloration
Only used once a day
Can use with other moisturizers and cleansers
Cons
Doesn't prevent or get rid of wrinkles
Can make you sunburn more easily
Not safe to use while pregnant
Pharmacist tips for Tazarotene cream
Wash your hands well before and after you use tazarotene cream. Apply the medication directly on your face only. Don't put the cream in your eyes, nose, mouth, or vagina. These areas are sensitive and can get irritated easily. Rinse the area well with water if the medication accidentally gets into any sensitive areas.
Before you apply tazarotene cream, remove any makeup and use a mild cleanser to wash the face. Pat the skin completely dry.
Use just enough tazarotene cream (typically a pea-sized amount) to lightly cover the entire face with a thin layer of medication. You can apply the cream onto the eyelids if you need to, but be careful because this area of skin is sensitive.
Apply tazarotene cream once per day in the evening, unless your prescriber gave you other directions. It's possible that you might be instructed to use the cream less often, especially if you have uncomfortable skin irritation from the medication.
You can have mild side effects like skin peeling, skin redness, burning, and dry skin within the first couple weeks of using tazarotene cream. But they typically get better as you continue using the medication. Talk to your care team if you're concerned about any skin reactions or if they get too uncomfortable.
You can use moisturizers as often as needed to help prevent your skin from becoming too dry or irritated from tazarotene cream. Just be sure that each skin product that you use has enough time to absorb into the skin and dry completely before you use the next.
You should wear sunscreen and protective clothing, like a wide-brimmed hat, when you're going outside. Tazarotene cream can make your skin more sensitive to the sun, raising your risk for sunburns.
Store tazarotene cream at room temperature (up to 77 degrees Fahrenheit). Keep it tightly closed and out of reach from children.
Mark your appointments on your calendar to see your prescriber. They can examine your skin to see how well tazarotene cream is working for you. You might need more follow up if there isn't any improvement to your dark spots to double check for a type of skin cancer.
Frequently asked questions about Tazarotene cream
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What are the risks and warnings for Tazarotene cream?
Tazarotene cream can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Harm to unborn baby
Risk factors: Currently pregnant or planning to become pregnant
Animal studies show that other topical forms of tazarotene can cause harm to an unborn baby when they're used during pregnancy. For this reason, you shouldn't use tazarotene cream if you're pregnant.
If you can become pregnant, you'll need to take a pregnancy test within 2 weeks of starting tazarotene cream to confirm that you're not pregnant. Your prescriber will instruct you to start using the medication during your menstrual period. Use an effective form of birth control to prevent pregnancy while you're using the medication. Stop using tazarotene cream if you become pregnant.
Risk for sunburn
Risk factors: Exposure to sunlight | History of skin cancer | Taking medications that raise the risk of sunburn
Tazarotene cream can make your skin more sensitive to the sun and raise your risk of sunburn. The risk is higher if you're taking other medications that raise your risk for sun sensitivity, such as certain diuretics (water pills) and certain antibiotics.
Try to minimize the amount of time that your skin is exposed to sunlight. Use sunscreen and wear protective clothing when you're going outside. If you get sunburned, ask your prescriber whether you should stop using tazarotene cream until your skin heals.
Skin irritation
Risk factors: Eczema | Using skin products that dry the skin
Tazarotene cream can cause skin irritation and skin reactions, like itching, redness, burning, peeling, and blistering. Windy and cold weather can irritate the skin even more while you're using this medication.
Avoid applying tazarotene cream on any areas of skin with eczema because it can cause severe irritation. Also avoid using other skin products that have a strong drying effect because it can worsen irritation. Tell your prescriber if you notice any skin reactions that aren't getting better over time or any hives on the skin while you're using tazarotene cream.
Tazarotene cream dosage forms
| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30g of 0.1% | 1 tube | $461.05 | $461.05 |
Typical dosing for Tazarotene cream
Use a pea-sized amount of tazarotene cream to apply the medication as a thin layer over the entire face. Apply tazarotene cream once every evening.
Interactions between Tazarotene cream and other drugs
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.
How much does Tazarotene cream cost?
Tazarotene cream contraindications
Currently pregnant
What are alternatives to Tazarotene cream?
Fine wrinkles on the face
Skin discoloration (dark spots or light spots) on the face
Lessen the look of fine face wrinkles
What is the latest news about Tazarotene cream?
Tazarotene cream images
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References
Best studies we foundLudmann, P. (2021). Treating light spots in brown or black skin. American Academy of Dermatology Association.
Milosheska, D., et al. (2022). Use of retinoids in topical antiaging treatments: A focused review of clinical evidence for conventional and nanoformulations. Advances in Therapy.
Ogden, S., et al. (2008). A review of tazarotene in the treatment of photodamaged skin. Clinical Interventions in Aging.
Taro Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc. (2017). Tazarotene- tazarotene cream [package insert]. DailyMed.
Xiong, M., et al. (2022). Lentigo maligna melanoma. StatPearls.
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