Fabior
Fabior, the brand name for tazarotene 0.1% foam, is a prescription retinoid that's used to treat acne. It's approved for people ages 12 years and older. The foam is applied directly to the affected areas of skin once per day in the evening. Side effects include skin irritation, dry skin, and skin redness. This medication can also raise your risk for sunburns.
What is Fabior (tazarotene)?
What is Fabior (tazarotene) used for?
How Fabior (tazarotene) works
Fabior (tazarotene) is a retinoid, which is a form of vitamin A. It treats acne and prevents more pimples from forming by working in a few ways. The medication helps get rid of dead skin cells and lessen oil and inflammation on the skin. It also helps to keep your skin healthy by promoting the growth of new, healthy skin cells.
Drug facts
Side effects of Fabior (tazarotene)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Skin irritation (14%)
- Dry skin (7%)
- Skin redness (6%)
- Skin peeling (6%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Pain on the skin
- Skin that's sensitive to the sun
- Itching
- Skin rash
- Skin discoloration
More on Fabior (tazarotene) side effects
The following Fabior (tazarotene) side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Burning, itching, crusting, or peeling of treated skin
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Mild skin irritation, redness, or dryness
- Sensitivity to light
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Pros and cons of Fabior (tazarotene)
Pros
- A first-choice option for treating acne
- Only applied once a day
- Safe for children age 12 years and older to use
Cons
- Skin irritation is common
- Can make you sunburn more easily
- Not safe to use while pregnant
Pharmacist tips for Fabior (tazarotene)
- Use a mild cleanser to gently wash the affected area(s) of skin before you apply Fabior (tazarotene). Make sure your skin is completely dry before applying.
- Apply Fabior (tazarotene) directly on your skin only. Avoid applying the medication on any areas of damaged skin. Also don't put the medication in your eyes, mouth, or vagina because these areas are sensitive and can get very irritated. Rinse the area well with water if you get the medication onto any sensitive areas.
- How to apply Fabior (tazarotene): Shake the can well before use. Press the nozzle to get a small amount of foam out onto the palm of your hand. Use your fingertips of your other hand to apply a thin layer of medication onto the affected area. Gently rub until the foam disappears into the skin. Wash your hands well afterwards.
- Fabior (tazarotene) can make your skin red or dry. Your skin also might peel. These side effects usually happen during the first few weeks of treatment, but they should get better as you continue using the medication. Talk to your care team if you're concerned about any skin reactions or if they're too bothersome.
- Use a moisturizer to help prevent your skin from becoming too dry or irritated from Fabior (tazarotene). You can use moisturizers as often as you need to.
- Apply sunscreen and wear protective clothing, like a hat and long-sleeved shirt, when going outside. Your skin can become more sensitive to sunlight while you're using Fabior (tazarotene), which can make it easier for sunburns to happen.
- Don't use Fabior (tazarotene) and other topical acne medications together unless your prescriber recommends you to. Using them at the same time can make skin irritation worse since they can cause similar skin reactions. Benzoyl peroxide can also make Fabior (tazarotene) work less well. If you need to use more than one topical acne medication, use the products at different times of the day (for example, one product in the morning and the other in the evening).
- If you can get pregnant, you should use birth control during treatment. Fabior (tazarotene) isn't safe to use during pregnancy because it can harm an unborn baby. Tell your prescriber if you become pregnant. They can recommending safer options to treat your acne.
- Store Fabior (tazarotene) upright at room temperature (up to 77 degrees Fahrenheit) away from heat because it's flammable (it can catch on fire). Don't use the medication near any open flames. Also avoid letting the medication freeze.
- Make sure not to puncture the Fabior (tazarotene) can. The medication inside the can is under a lot of pressure. The can might explode if it gets punctured.
Common questions about Fabior (tazarotene)
Fabior (tazarotene) might make your acne worse. In addition to making acne worse, other skin reactions can happen, including more skin irritation, peeling, and dry skin. This typically happens in the first few weeks of starting treatment. It's typical for topical retinoids like Fabior (tazarotene) to cause these skin reactions because they work by exfoliating the skin to replace old skin cells with new skin cells, which can irritate the skin. But over time, your skin should improve as you continue to use the medication. Contact your prescriber if you're concerned about these skin reactions.
Yes, Fabior (tazarotene) is a retinoid that works to treat and prevent acne. Retinoids help lessen the amount of inflammation and oil on your skin. They also help exfoliate the skin, meaning that they get rid of dead skin cells to promote the growth of new skin cells.
In clinical studies, some people started to see improvement in their acne within a month of using Fabior (tazarotene). But it can take about 3 months to see the full effect of the medication. Try not to get discouraged and continue to use Fabior (tazarotene) every day as prescribed if you're not seeing as much improvement as you'd like. Contact your prescriber if you're concerned with how long Fabior (tazarotene) is taking to work.
Yes, it's recommended that you use Fabior (tazarotene) once every day unless your prescriber gave you different instructions. Using the medication every day helps it work as best it can to clear up your acne. Sometimes, your prescriber might suggest using Fabior (tazarotene) less often, usually when your skin gets too irritated from the medication. Talk to your prescriber if you're not sure how often you should be using Fabior (tazarotene).
No, Fabior (tazarotene) is only available by a prescription from a healthcare professional. There are several other over-the-counter acne treatment options available. Speak with your dermatologist or pharmacist about which acne treatment is right for you.
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Risks and warnings for Fabior (tazarotene)
Fabior (tazarotene) 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 forms of topical tazarotene can cause harm to an unborn baby when they're used during pregnancy. For this reason, you shouldn't use Fabior (tazarotene) if you're pregnant.
If you can become pregnant, you'll need to take a pregnancy test within 2 weeks of starting Fabior (tazarotene) to confirm that you're not pregnant. Your prescriber will have you start using Fabior (tazarotene) during your menstrual period. Then, you'll need to use an effective form of birth control to prevent pregnancy while you're using the medication.
Risk for sunburn
- Risk factors: Exposure to sunlight | Personal or family history of skin cancer | Taking medications that raise the risk of sunburn
Fabior (tazarotene) 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.
Do your best 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 Fabior (tazarotene) until your skin heals.
Skin irritation
- Risk factors: Eczema | Applying Fabior (tazarotene) on injured skin | Using skin products that dry the skin | Using skin products containing alcohol
Fabior (tazarotene) can cause skin irritation and skin reactions, like itching, redness, burning, and peeling. Windy and cold weather can irritate the skin even more while you're using this medication.
Avoid applying Fabior (tazarotene) on any areas of skin with eczema or on any skin with scrapes because it can cause severe irritation. Also avoid using other skin products with alcohol, that have a strong drying effect, or that have similar effects on the skin because it can worsen irritation. Let your prescriber know if you notice any skin reactions that aren't getting better over time.
Fire hazard
Fabior (tazarotene) is flammable and can catch on fire. Avoid open flames and smoking while you're applying the medication and immediately after applying. Store the can of foam in a cool, dry place away from heat.
Fabior (tazarotene) dosage
Can of foam| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50g of 0.1% | 1 can | $718.67 | $718.67 |
| 100g of 0.1% | 1 can | $1,252.99 | $1,252.99 |
Typical dosage for Fabior (tazarotene)
Fabior contains 0.1% of tazarotene.
Clean the affected areas of skin with a mild cleanser and let it dry completely. Then, apply a thin layer of Fabior (tazarotene) onto the entire affected areas of your face or upper torso once daily in the evening. Gently massage the foam into the skin until it disappears.
How much does Fabior (tazarotene) cost?
$718.67
Fabior (tazarotene) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Fabior (tazarotene) will not be safe for you to take.
- Currently pregnant
What are alternatives to Fabior (tazarotene)?
