tazarotene
Tazarotene (Tazorac) is a topical retinoid that's used for treating acne and plaque psoriasis. It helps exfoliate the skin and lessen skin inflammation. Tazarotene (Tazorac) is available as a cream and a gel that's applied directly to the affected areas of skin once per day. Adults can use either the cream or gel. Certain children can also use this medication depending on how old they are, whether they have acne or psoriasis, and whether they're using the cream or gel. Side effects include skin irritation and itching. It can also raise your risk for sunburns.
What is Tazarotene (Tazorac)?
What is Tazarotene (Tazorac) used for?
- Acne - 0.1% strength only
- Plaque psoriasis - 0.05% and 1% strengths
How Tazarotene (Tazorac) works
Tazarotene (Tazorac) is a retinoid, which is a form of vitamin A. It helps keep your skin healthy by promoting the growth of new, healthy skin cells.
For acne, tazarotene (Tazorac) also helps get rid of dead skin cells and lessen oil and inflammation on the skin. This treats acne and prevents more pimples from forming.
For plaque psoriasis, tazarotene (Tazorac) helps thin out plaques and lessens redness and itching.
Drug facts
Side effects of Tazarotene (Tazorac)
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
- Dry skin
- Skin peeling or flaking
- Itching
- Skin redness
- Burning or stinging feeling on the skin
Less Common Side Effects
- Skin irritation
- Pain on the skin
- Rash
- Swelling
More on Tazarotene (Tazorac) side effects
The following Tazarotene (Tazorac) 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.
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Pros and cons of Tazarotene (Tazorac)
Pros
- Works well for treating acne and plaque psoriasis
- Used once per day
- Available as a gel and cream
Cons
- Can take a few months to see significant skin improvement
- Can make your skin more irritated or more likely to burn
- Not safe to use while pregnant
Pharmacist tips for Tazarotene (Tazorac)
- Wash your hands well before and after you use tazarotene (Tazorac). Apply the medication directly on your skin only. Don't put the medication in your eyes, mouth, or vagina. Otherwise, it could lead to irritation.
- Use a mild cleanser to gently wash the affected area(s) of skin before you apply tazarotene (Tazorac). Make sure your skin is completely dry before applying.
- Apply tazarotene (Tazorac) once per day in the evening on the affected area(s) of skin. Make sure to apply enough to cover the skin with a thin layer of medication. Avoid placing the medication on skin that has cuts or scrapes or on damaged skin because this can cause further irritation.
- Your skin can get red, dry, or flaky and you might feel stinging after you apply tazarotene (Tazorac). These side effects usually happen during the first few weeks of treatment, but they'll go away as you continue using the medication. Talk to your care team if you're concerned about any skin reactions or if they get too bothersome. Your care team can recommend ways to manage these skin reactions.
- You can use a moisturizer as often as needed to help prevent your skin from becoming too dry or irritated.
- Use sunscreen and wear protective clothing, like a hat and long-sleeved shirt, when going outside. Tazarotene (Tazorac) can make your skin more sensitive to light, which can make it easier for you to get a sunburn.
- It can take a few weeks to months, before you notice your skin improving. Continue to use tazarotene (Tazorac) as directed by your prescriber or dermatologist. Talk with your care team if you're not sure whether tazarotene (Tazorac) is working well enough for you.
- Don't use tazarotene (Tazorac) and benzoyl peroxide together unless your dermatologist specifically recommended you to. Benzoyl peroxide can interact with tazarotene (Tazorac) and make it not work as well to treat your acne. If your dermatologist says it's safe to use both medications together, use one product in the morning and the other in the evening.
- Store tazarotene (Tazorac) at room temperature (up to 77 degrees Fahrenheit) away from heat. Keep it tightly closed and out of reach from children.
Tips for using tazarotene (Tazorac) for psoriasis:
- Typically, you'll first start using the 0.05% strength of tazarotene (Tazorac) to make sure your skin can tolerate the medication. Follow up with your dermatologist about how treatment is going for you. If needed, your dermatologist can prescribe the 0.1% strength later if your psoriasis doesn't seem to be getting better.
- Only cover the affected areas of skin that have psoriasis. Avoid applying tazarotene (Tazorac) on healthy skin because this can cause irritation.
- Don't cover more than 20% of your body surface area with the tazarotene (Tazorac) gel. Ask your prescriber if you're not sure how to tell whether you're using too much medication over your body.
- Make sure to apply any other creams or lotions that you're using to soften or moisten the skin at least 1 hour before applying tazarotene (Tazorac).
Common questions about Tazarotene (Tazorac)
No. Tazarotene (Tazorac) is still available in the U.S. You'll need a prescription from a healthcare professional to get the medication at a pharmacy.
No, but they're very similar to each other. Tazarotene (Tazorac) and tretinoin are topical retinoids that are used once per day to treat acne. But tazarotene (Tazorac) is also used to treat plaque psoriasis. Both medications can cause skin irritation, such as redness, peeling, and burning. Talk to your dermatologist to compare between the two medications to see which option might be right for you.
Tazarotene (Tazorac) can cause "skin purging," a term people use to refer to skin reactions from the medication when you first start using it. These skin reactions can include worsening of your acne, more skin irritation, peeling, and dry skin. Tazarotene (Tazorac) is a retinoid that works by exfoliating the skin to replace old skin cells with new skin cells. This can lead to a lot of skin irritation at first. So your skin might look worse during the first month of treatment with tazarotene (Tazorac) before it starts to improve later on. Try not to get discouraged when you first start using this medication. Contact your dermatologist if you're concerned about these skin reactions.
Yes, tazarotene (Tazorac) can expire. Always check the expiration date on the medication before you use it. Don't use the medication if it's expired because it might not work well to treat your acne or psoriasis symptoms. Discard the expired medication and ask your pharmacist for a refill.
Tazarotene (Tazorac) isn't a retinol, but it's similar. Both retinol and tazarotene (Tazorac) are considered retinoids, which is a general term for all forms of vitamin A and its related chemicals. You can find different retinol products over the counter; they're typically used as an anti-aging skin care product. Tazarotene (Tazorac) is a prescription-strength retinoid that's used to help with acne and plaque psoriasis.
Yes, you should use tazarotene (Tazorac) every day so the medication can work the best it can for acne or plaque psoriasis, unless your prescriber specifically told you otherwise. Using tazarotene (Tazorac) regularly will raise the likelihood that your skin will clear up. Some situations where your prescriber might suggest using the medication less often or as needed include when you have symptoms of acne or plaque psoriasis every once in a while or when your skin condition is mild. Other situations can include when your skin gets too irritated from the medication. Talk to your prescriber if you're not sure how often you should be using tazarotene (Tazorac).
Tazarotene comes in many different forms, such as creams, gels, and lotion, that can be used for a variety of skin conditions. There are different brand names for tazarotene depending on the form and skin condition it's used for. For example, Tazorac cream and gel can help treat acne and plaque psoriasis. Arazlo lotion and Fabior foam are brand names of tazarotene that are used to treat acne only. There's also another version of the tazarotene cream (previously known as brand name Avage) that's used for wrinkles. Talk to your dermatologist if you have specific questions about the differences between tazarotene products.
No. Tazarotene (Tazorac) isn't safe to use if you're pregnant. Studies suggest that the medication can harm an unborn baby if it's used during pregnancy. If you're able to get pregnant, you should use birth control during treatment. Make sure to tell your prescriber if you're pregnant. They can offer safer options, like benzoyl peroxide.
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Risks and warnings for Tazarotene (Tazorac)
Tazarotene (Tazorac) 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
Studies show that tazarotene (Tazorac) can cause harm to an unborn baby when it's used during pregnancy. For this reason, tazarotene (Tazorac) shouldn't be used if you're pregnant.
If you're able to become pregnant, you'll need to take a pregnancy test within 2 weeks of starting tazarotene (Tazorac) to confirm that you're not pregnant. Your prescriber will have you start using the medication 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 | Taking medications that raise the risk of sunburn
Tazarotene (Tazorac) 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 (Tazorac) until your skin heals.
Skin irritation
- Risk factors: Eczema | Using skin products that dry the skin | Using skin products containing alcohol | Using the 1% strength of tazarotene (Tazorac)
Tazarotene (Tazorac) can cause skin irritation and skin reactions, like itchiness, dry skin, redness, stinging, burning, blistering, and peeling. Windy and cold weather can irritate the skin even more while you're using this medication.
Avoid applying tazarotene (Tazorac) on any areas of skin with eczema because it can cause severe irritation. Also avoid using other skin products with alcohol or that have a strong drying effect because it can worsen irritation. Let your prescriber know if you notice skin reactions that aren't getting better over time.
Tazarotene (Tazorac) dosage
Typical dosage for Tazarotene (Tazorac)
- Acne (age 12 years and older): Apply a thin layer of cream to the entire affected areas of skin once per day in the evening.
- Plaque psoriasis (age 18 years and older): Apply a thin layer of cream to the affected area(s) once per day in the evening. Only apply to areas of the skin that are affected by psoriasis; don't apply to the general area. You'll typically start with the 0.05% strength of the gel, then can move up to the 0.1% strength if needed.
- Acne (age 12 years and older): Apply a thin layer of the 0.1% gel to the entire affected areas of skin once per day in the evening.
- Plaque psoriasis (age 12 years and older): Apply a thin layer of gel to the area(s) of psoriasis once per day in the evening. Don't apply to more than 20% of your body. You'll typically start with the 0.05% strength of the gel, then can move up to the 0.1% strength if needed.
Interactions between Tazarotene (Tazorac) 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.
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Tazarotene (Tazorac) 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 Tazarotene (Tazorac) will not be safe for you to take.
- Currently pregnant
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