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Tazorac

Generic name: tazarotene topicalta-ZAR-oh-teen ]
Drug classes: Topical acne agents, Topical antipsoriatics

Medically reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm. Last updated on Aug 23, 2023.

What is Tazorac?

Tazorac is a compound similar to vitamin A. It helps the skin to renew itself more quickly and may improve the appearance and texture of skin.

Tazorac is used to treat acne vulgaris in adults and adolescents who are at least 12 years old.

Tazorac is also used to treat plaque psoriasis (raised, silvery flaking of the skin) in adults.

Tazorac is available as a cream or gel.

Warnings

Tazorac can cause birth defects. Do not use if you are pregnant. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy.

Stop using Tazorac and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant, if you stop using birth control, or if you miss a menstrual period.

You may get sunburned more easily. Avoid sun, sunlamps, and tanning beds. Use sunscreen and wear clothing and eyewear that protects you from the sun.

Your skin may look worse before it looks better.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Tazorac if you are allergic to it, or if you are pregnant or may become pregnant.

You must have a negative pregnancy test within 2 weeks before starting this treatment.

To make sure Tazorac is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

Do not use Tazorac if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby or cause birth defects. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are using this medicine.

Stop using Tazorac and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant, if you stop using birth control, or if you miss a menstrual period.

It may not be safe to breastfeed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk.

Tazorac cream and gel should not be used to treat acne in a child younger than 12 years old. Tazorac gel should not be used to treat psoriasis in anyone under 12 years old. Tazorac Cream should not be used to treat psoriasis in anyone under 18 years old.

How should I use Tazorac?

Tazorac is usually applied once daily in the evening or at bedtime. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Do not take by mouth. Topical medicine is for use only on the skin. Do not use Tazorac on open wounds or on sunburned, windburned, dry, chapped, or irritated skin. If this medicine gets in your eyes, nose, mouth, rectum, or vagina, rinse with water.

Also avoid using this medicine in wounds or on areas of eczema. Wait until these conditions have fully healed before using Tazorac.

Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you do not understand these instructions.

Women who use Tazorac should start the medication during a menstrual period.

Avoid applying the medication to unaffected areas. If medication accidentally gets on areas that do not need treatment, wash it off.

Your skin may be more sensitive to weather extremes such as cold and wind during treatment with Tazorac. Protect your skin with clothing and use a moisturizing cream or lotion as needed.

Store at room temperature, away from moisture and heat. Do not freeze.

Tazorac dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Plaque Psoriasis:

Initial dose: Apply a thin film of 0.05% gel or cream once a day in the evening to cover only the psoriatic lesions
-Increase to 0.1% if tolerated and medically indicated

Usual Adult Dose for Acne:

Apply a thin layer of 0.1% gel or cream once a day in the evening to cover acne lesions .

Usual Pediatric Dose for Acne:

Age: 12 years or older:
Apply a thin layer of 0.1% gel or cream once a day in the evening to cover acne lesions

Comments:
-Cleanse the face gently and dry before application.
-Use sunscreen and wear protective clothing while using this drug.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Plaque Psoriasis:

Age: 12 years or older:
Initial dose: Apply a thin film of 0.05% gel or cream once a day in the evening to cover only the psoriatic lesions
-Increase to 0.1% if tolerated and medically indicated

Comments:
-Apply to dry skin; if a bath or shower is taken prior to application, allow time for skin to dry before applying; if emollients are used, they should be applied at least 1 hour prior.
-Avoid applying gel or cream on unaffected skin as it may be more susceptible to irritation.
-The safety of gel use on more than 20% body surface area has not been established and is not recommended.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Apply the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not apply two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

An overdose of tazarotene may cause severe skin discomfort. Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222 if anyone has accidentally swallowed the medicine.

What should I avoid while using Tazorac?

Avoid applying the medication to unaffected areas. If medication accidentally gets on areas that do not need treatment, wash it off.

Avoid using other skin medications on the areas you treat with Tazorac unless your doctor tells you to.

Avoid exposure to sunlight or tanning beds. Tazarotene can make you sunburn more easily. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors.

Avoid using skin products that can cause irritation, such as harsh soaps, shampoos, hair coloring or permanent chemicals, hair removers or waxes, or skin products with alcohol, spices, astringents, or lime.

Rinse with water if Tazorac gets in your eyes.

Tazorac side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Tazorac: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using Tazorac and call your doctor at once if you have:

Common Tazorac side effects may include:

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect Tazorac?

If you also use a benzoyl peroxide acne medication, do not use it at the same time you use Tazorac. Apply one medication only in the morning and the other only in the evening.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with tazarotene, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Popular FAQ

No, Tazorac (tazarotene) and Retin-A (tretinoin, all-trans retinoic acid) are not the same, but they do belong to the same class or group of drugs known as retinoids.

Retin-A is a first-generation retinoid and was the first topical retinoid to be developed. Tazorac, on the other hand, is a third-generation retinoid. A key difference between Tazorac and Retin-A is that they have different chemical structures.

Tazorac and Retin-A work about the same when used to treat acne and are also similar in terms of the side effects they produce.

Continue reading

Tazorac cream and Tazorac (tazarotene) gel do NOT have acne scar treatment as an FDA approved indication. Tazarotene gel 0.1% has successfully treated atrophic post acne scarring in a small clinical trial using microneedling as an active control. Continue reading

There is little information available from clinical trials as to how soon Tazorac cream starts working for acne. The full positive effect of Tazorac cream on acne may not be seen for a number of weeks and in some cases acne may get worse before it gets better. Continue reading

Tazarotene and tretinoin work about the same when applied to the skin to treat acne, but Tazarotene works faster and in one study worked more effectively for some signs of sun damaged skin and the signs of aging. They are also similar in terms of the side effects they cause, although tazarotene may cause more irritation when treatment is first started. Tretinoin tends to be cheaper than tazarotene Continue reading

Tazarotene improves the look and feel of your skin. It is used to treat skin conditions such as acne and psoriasis. It may also reduce fine lines, wrinkles and patches of skin discoloration. This topical medication is in the class of drugs known as retinoids, which are derived from vitamin A. Continue reading

There is no limit on how long you can use Duobrii Lotion, but you should stop using it when your psoriasis has cleared and your doctor tells you to stop treatment. Once your skin is clear it may stay that way for up to 3 months after treatment. Continue reading

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Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Tazorac only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.