Tazarotene Topical

Tazarotene Topical is a prescription medication used for the treatment of acne vulgaris, psoriasis, and wrinkles.

• Tazarotene Topical is available under various brand names: Arazlo, Avage, Fabior, Tazorac

Common side effects of Tazarotene Topical include:

• dry, scaly, or peeling skin;
• skin pain, redness or burning; or
• itching or other irritation of treated skin.

Serious side effects of Tazarotene Topical include:

• hives,
• difficulty breathing,
• swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat,
• severe skin irritation (pain, dryness, flaking, peeling, burning, stinging, itching) after applying for the medicine;
• blistering or peeling skin;
• severe redness or discomfort; or
• swelling, warmth, oozing, or other signs of skin infection.

Rare side effects of Tazarotene Topical include:

• none

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

• Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors;
• Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;
• Serious heart symptoms include fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in the chest; shortness of breath; sudden dizziness, lightheartedness, or passing out.

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems that may occur because of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Adult dosage

Cream, External:

Avage: 0.1% (30 g [DSC]) [contains benzyl alcohol]

• Tazorac: 0.05% (30 g [DSC], 60 g [DSC]) [contains benzyl alcohol]
• Tazorac: 0.05% (30 g, 60 g) [contains benzyl alcohol, edetate (EDTA) disodium]
• Tazorac: 0.1% (30 g [DSC], 60 g [DSC]) [contains benzyl alcohol]
• Tazorac: 0.1% (30 g, 60 g) [contains benzyl alcohol, edetate (EDTA) disodium]
• Generic: 0.1% (30 g, 60 g)

Foam, External:

• Fabior: 0.1% (50 g, 100 g)
• Generic: 0.1% (50 g)

Gel, External:

• Tazorac: 0.05% (30 g [DSC], 100 g [DSC]) [contains benzyl alcohol]
• Tazorac: 0.05% (30 g, 100 g) [contains benzyl alcohol, edetate (EDTA) disodium]
• Tazorac: 0.1% (30 g [DSC], 100 g [DSC]) [contains benzyl alcohol]
• Tazorac: 0.1% (30 g, 100 g) [contains benzyl alcohol, edetate (EDTA) disodium]

Lotion, External:

• Arazlo: 0.045% (45 g) [contains edetate (edta) disodium dihydrate, methylparaben, propylparaben]

Acne vulgaris:

Adult dosage

• Arazlo: Apply a thin layer to the affected area once daily.
• Fabior: Apply a small amount to the affected area once daily in the evening.
• Tazorac cream/gel 0.05% or 0.1%: Apply a thin layer (2 mg/cm2) to the affected area once daily in the evening.

Pediatric dosage

• Cream or gel: Children above 12 years and Adolescents: Topical: Tazorac (0.1%): Apply as a thin film (2 mg/cm2) to the affected area(s) once daily in the evening.
• Foam: Children above 12 years and Adolescents: Topical: Fabior (0.1%): Apply a small amount to the affected area(s) once daily in the evening.
• Lotion: Children above 9 years and Adolescents: Topical: Arazlo (0.045%): Apply a thin layer to the affected area(s) once daily.
• Palliation of fine facial wrinkles, facial mottled hyper-/hypopigmentation, benign facial lentigines

Adult dosage

• Apply a pea-sized amount to the entire face once daily at bedtime. In patients experiencing excessive pruritus, burning, skin redness, or peeling, discontinue until the integrity of the skin is restored, or reduce dosing to an interval the patient can tolerate.

Pediatric dosage

• Adolescents above 17 years: Topical: Cream: Avage (0.1%): Apply a pea-sized amount once daily at bedtime; lightly cover the entire face including eyelids if desired

Psoriasis

Adult dosage

• Tazorac cream/gel: Initial: 0.05%: Apply once daily in the evening to psoriatic lesions using enough (2 mg/cm2) to cover only the lesion with a thin film. May increase strength to 0.1% if tolerated and necessary

Pediatric dosage

• Cream: Adolescents above 18 years: Topical: Tazorac (0.05%): Initial: Apply a thin film (2 mg/cm2) to the affected area once daily in the evening; may increase strength to 0.1% if tolerated and necessary.
• Gel: Children above 12 years and Adolescents: Topical: Tazorac (0.05%): Initial: Apply a thin film (2 mg/cm2) to the affected area once daily in the evening; may increase strength to 0.1% if tolerated and necessary; apply to no more than 20% of the body surface area.

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows: 

• See “Dosages”

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first.

• Tazarotene Topical has no noted severe interactions with any other drugs.
• Tazarotene Topical has no noted serious interactions with any other drugs.
• Tazarotene Topical has no noted moderate interactions with any other drugs.
• Tazarotene Topical has no noted minor interactions with any other drugs.

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker for any drug interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all your products. Keep a list of all your medications with you and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your health care professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions or concerns.

Contraindications

• Severe anemia (low red blood cells);
• Increased pressure inside the skull;
• Circulation problems or shock (pale skin, cold sweat, fast or irregular heartbeats, sudden weakness or feeling like you might pass out); or
• Heart attack symptoms--chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, nausea, sweating

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Tazarotene Topical?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Tazarotene Topical?”

Cautions

• Stop using tazarotene Topical and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant, if you stop using birth control, or if you miss a menstrual period.
• Your skin may be more sensitive to weather extremes such as cold and wind during treatment with tazarotene Topical. Protect your skin with clothing and use a moisturizing cream or lotion as needed.
• 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 tazarotene Topical unless your doctor tells you to.
• Avoid exposure to sunlight or tanning beds. Tazarotene Topical 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 irritate, 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 this medicine gets in your eyes.

Pregnancy & Lactation

• Do not use tazarotene Topical 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.
• Lactation
  • It may not be safe to breastfeed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risks.