TAZAROTENE (Topical)
Some commonly used brand names are:
In the U.S.?
Category
- Antiacne agent (topical)
- antipsoriatic (topical)
Description
Tazarotene (ta-ZAR-oh-teen) is used to treat acne on the face and andto treat psoriasis.
It works to help clear acne on the face partly by keeping skin pores clear.It works in the treatment of psoriasis by making the skin less red and reducingthe number and size of lesions of the skin.
This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription, in thefollowing dosage form(s):
Topical- Gel (U.S.)
- Cream (U.S.)
Before Using This Medicine
In deciding to use a medicine,the risks of using the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do.This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For tazarotene, the followingshould be considered:
Allergies?Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual orallergic reaction to vitamin A or retinoid medicines, such as acitretin, etretinate,isotretinoin, and tretinoin. Also tell your health care professional if youare allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.
Pregnancy?Tazarotene is not recommended during pregnancy. Ithas been shown to cause serious birth defects and problems in animals. Besure you have discussed this with your doctor.
Breast-feeding?It is not known whether tazarotene passes intobreast milk. However, tazarotene is not recommended during breast-feedingbecause it may cause unwanted effects in nursing babies.
Children?Studies of this medicine have been done only in adultpatients, and there is no specific information comparing use of tazarotenein children up to 12 years of age (gel) and up to 18 years of age (cream)with use in other age groups.
Older adults?Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people.Therefore, it may not be known whether or not they work in exactly the sameway they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problemsin older people. There is no specific information comparing the use of tazarotenein the elderly with use in other age groups.
Other medicines?Although certain medicines should not be usedtogether at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used togethereven if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want tochange the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your doctor orpharmacist if you are using any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter[OTC]) medicine.
Other medical problems?The presence of other medicalproblems may affect the use of tazarotene. Make sure you tell your doctorif you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Eczema?Tazarotene may cause skin irritation and may worsenthis condition
Proper Use of This Medicine
It is very important that you use this medicine only as directed. Donot use more of it, do not use it more often, and do not use it for a longertime than your doctor ordered. To do so may cause irritation of the skin.
Read the patient information that will come with your medicine.
For acne?Before applying tazarotene to acne areas of the skin, washthe skin with a mild soap or cleanser and warm water, then gently pat dry.Wait at least 20 to 30 minutes before applying this medicine.
For acne or psoriasis?Do not use this medicinein or around the eyes or lips, or inside of the nose. Spread the medicineaway from these areas when applying.
Do not apply this medicine to windburned or sunburnedskin or on open wounds.
When using tazarotene, apply medicine to dry skin. If skin has just beenwashed and dried, wait at least 20 to 30 minutes beforeapplying this medicine. Applying to wet or damp skin may cause skinirritation.
Apply a thin layer of this medicine only to lesions of psoriasis on thebody or areas on face prone to developing acne. Rub medicine in gently andwell. Wash medicine off skin areas not intended to be treated.
After applying the medicine, wash your hands to remove any medicine thatmight remain on them.
Dosing?The dose of tazarotene will bedifferent for different patients. Follow your doctor'sorders or the directions on the label. The following information includesonly the average doses of tazarotene. If your dose isdifferent, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
- For topical dosage form (gel):
- For acne:
- Adults and children 12 years of age and older?Apply 0.1% tazaroteneto clean, dry affected areas of the face once a day, usually in the eveningor at bedtime.
- Children up to 12 years of age?Use and dose must be determinedby the doctor.
- For psoriasis:
- Adults and children 12 years of age and older?Apply 0.05% or0.1% tazarotene to dry affected areas of the body once a day, usually in theevening or at bedtime. Do not treat a larger area of the skin than your doctortells you to treat.
- Children up to 12 years of age?Use and dose must be determinedby the doctor.
- For topical dosage form (cream):
- For psoriasis:
- Adults and children 18 years of age and older?Apply 0.05% or0.1% tazarotene to dry affected areas of the body once a day, usually in theevening or at bedtime. Do not treat a larger area of the skin than your doctortells you to treat.
- Children up to 18 years of age?Use and dose must be determinedby the doctor.
Missed dose?If you miss a dose of this medicine, skip the misseddose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Storage?To store this medicine:
- Keep out of the reach of children.
- Store away from heat and direct light.
- Keep the medicine from freezing.
- Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be surethat any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.
Precautions While Using This Medicine
If you think that you may be pregnant, stop using the medicineimmediately and check with your doctor.
If you are using this medicine to treat acne of the face, your conditionmay seem to worsen at first before it begins to improve in about 4 weeks.Check with your doctor if your condition does not improve within 8 to 12 weeks.
If your are using this medicine to treat psoriasis, scaly patches on skinmay begin to improve in about 1 to 4 weeks but redness may take longer toimprove. Check with your doctor if your condition becomes worse.
Do not cover the treated area with a bandage.
When using tazarotene, do not use skin productssuch as abrasive soaps or cleansers; alcohol-containing products; cosmeticsor soaps that dry the skin; hair products that are irritating, such as permanentsor hair removal products; skin products containing spices, limes, or otheringredients that may make the skin more sensitive to the sun; or other topical medicine for the skin on the same area as tazarotene,unless otherwise directed. To do so may cause severe irritation of the skin.
Ask your doctor before taking vitamin A supplements by mouth while usingthis medicine.
During treatment with this medicine, avoid exposing the treated areas tosunlight when possible, since the skin may be more likely to become sunburned.Do not use a sunlamp.
Some people who use this medicine may become more sensitive to wind orcold weather, as well as to sunlight. Avoiding exposure to these conditionsby using sunscreen products with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or moreand wearing protective clothing will help protect your skin against becomingtoo dry, irritated, or sunburned.
Side Effects of This Medicine
It is likely that your skin may become irritatedwith normal use of this medicine. You should not stop using tazarotene unlessyour skin becomes too red, dry, puffy, or otherwise irritated. If severe irritationoccurs, contact your doctor.
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 mayneed medical attention.
Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medicalattention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjuststo the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following sideeffects continue or are bothersome:
Other side effects not listed above may also occur insome patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.
Developed: 11/14/1997
Revised: 03/05/2001
