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What is Tazorac
TazaroteneThe Generic name of this drug
Treatment SummaryTazarotene is a medication used to treat skin conditions such as psoriasis, acne, and sun damage. It is sold under the brand names Tazorac, Avage, and Zorac and is a type of retinoid that is applied topically to the skin.
Tazoracis the brand name
Tazorac Overview & Background
Brand Name
Generic Name
First FDA Approval
How many FDA approvals?
Tazorac
Tazarotene
1997
29
Approved as Treatment by the FDA
Tazarotene, also known as Tazorac, is approved by the FDA for 7 uses including facial fine wrinkling and Psoriasis Vulgaris .facial fine wrinkling
Psoriasis Vulgaris
Helps manage Psoriasis Vulgaris (Plaque Psoriasis)
Lentigo
Acne Vulgaris
mild Acne vulgaris
facial hyperpigmentation
facial hypopigmentation
Effectiveness
How Tazorac Affects PatientsTazarotene is a topical medication that helps treat acne, skin mottling and discoloration, wrinkles, and other sun damage. It works by being broken down into its active ingredient (tazarotenic acid) which then has various skin benefits. Studies have found that long-term use of tazarotene (more than one year) can reduce precursors of skin cancer, increase collagen production, and organize the collagen in the skin.
How Tazorac works in the bodyTazarotene works by binding to different types of receptors, known as retinoic acid receptors (RARs). These receptors are found in the cells, and when tazarotene binds to them, it can modify how genes are expressed. Tazarotene has a special affinity for two types of RARs, RARb and RARg, as well as another type of receptor called RXRs.
When to interrupt dosage
The dose of Tazorac is contingent upon the diagnosed disorder, including facial fine wrinkling, facial hypopigmentation and facial hyperpigmentation. The amount of dosage fluctuates as per the technique of delivery (e.g. Gel or Gel - Cutaneous) specified in the table underneath.Condition
Dosage
Administration
facial hypopigmentation
, 0.001 mg/mg, 0.0005 mg/mg, 0.1 %, 0.05 %, 0.00045 mg/mg, 0.00005 mg/mg, 0.0001 mg/mg, 0.045 %
, Cutaneous, Gel, Gel - Cutaneous, Cream, Cream - Cutaneous, Oral, Gel - Oral, Topical, Gel - Topical, Cream - Topical, Aerosol, foam, Aerosol, foam - Topical, Lotion, Lotion - Topical
Psoriasis Vulgaris
, 0.001 mg/mg, 0.0005 mg/mg, 0.1 %, 0.05 %, 0.00045 mg/mg, 0.00005 mg/mg, 0.0001 mg/mg, 0.045 %
, Cutaneous, Gel, Gel - Cutaneous, Cream, Cream - Cutaneous, Oral, Gel - Oral, Topical, Gel - Topical, Cream - Topical, Aerosol, foam, Aerosol, foam - Topical, Lotion, Lotion - Topical
Acne Vulgaris
, 0.001 mg/mg, 0.0005 mg/mg, 0.1 %, 0.05 %, 0.00045 mg/mg, 0.00005 mg/mg, 0.0001 mg/mg, 0.045 %
, Cutaneous, Gel, Gel - Cutaneous, Cream, Cream - Cutaneous, Oral, Gel - Oral, Topical, Gel - Topical, Cream - Topical, Aerosol, foam, Aerosol, foam - Topical, Lotion, Lotion - Topical
Lentigo
, 0.001 mg/mg, 0.0005 mg/mg, 0.1 %, 0.05 %, 0.00045 mg/mg, 0.00005 mg/mg, 0.0001 mg/mg, 0.045 %
, Cutaneous, Gel, Gel - Cutaneous, Cream, Cream - Cutaneous, Oral, Gel - Oral, Topical, Gel - Topical, Cream - Topical, Aerosol, foam, Aerosol, foam - Topical, Lotion, Lotion - Topical
facial hyperpigmentation
, 0.001 mg/mg, 0.0005 mg/mg, 0.1 %, 0.05 %, 0.00045 mg/mg, 0.00005 mg/mg, 0.0001 mg/mg, 0.045 %
, Cutaneous, Gel, Gel - Cutaneous, Cream, Cream - Cutaneous, Oral, Gel - Oral, Topical, Gel - Topical, Cream - Topical, Aerosol, foam, Aerosol, foam - Topical, Lotion, Lotion - Topical
mild Acne vulgaris
, 0.001 mg/mg, 0.0005 mg/mg, 0.1 %, 0.05 %, 0.00045 mg/mg, 0.00005 mg/mg, 0.0001 mg/mg, 0.045 %
, Cutaneous, Gel, Gel - Cutaneous, Cream, Cream - Cutaneous, Oral, Gel - Oral, Topical, Gel - Topical, Cream - Topical, Aerosol, foam, Aerosol, foam - Topical, Lotion, Lotion - Topical
facial fine wrinkling
, 0.001 mg/mg, 0.0005 mg/mg, 0.1 %, 0.05 %, 0.00045 mg/mg, 0.00005 mg/mg, 0.0001 mg/mg, 0.045 %
, Cutaneous, Gel, Gel - Cutaneous, Cream, Cream - Cutaneous, Oral, Gel - Oral, Topical, Gel - Topical, Cream - Topical, Aerosol, foam, Aerosol, foam - Topical, Lotion, Lotion - Topical
Warnings
There are 20 known major drug interactions with Tazorac.Common Tazorac Drug Interactions
Drug Name
Risk Level
Description
Amiodarone
Major
The metabolism of Amiodarone can be decreased when combined with Tazarotene.
Brigatinib
Major
The metabolism of Brigatinib can be decreased when combined with Tazarotene.
Cabazitaxel
Major
The metabolism of Cabazitaxel can be decreased when combined with Tazarotene.
Clomocycline
Major
The risk or severity of pseudotumor cerebri can be increased when Tazarotene is combined with Clomocycline.
Demeclocycline
Major
The risk or severity of pseudotumor cerebri can be increased when Tazarotene is combined with Demeclocycline.
Tazorac Toxicity & Overdose RiskUsing too much of this drug topically may cause redness, peeling, or discomfort. If taken orally, it could lead to increased triglyceride levels and harm liver function. Other signs can include eye irritation, hair loss, headache, swelling, tiredness, skin inflammation, vomiting, and vision issues. In animal testing, doses of 0.20mg/kg/day (rabbits) and 0.25mg/kg/day (rats) caused developmental problems. The safe level is 0.05mg/kg/day, and similar birth defects have been seen in other retinoid drugs.
Tazorac Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Tazorac?
18 active investigations are assessing the potential of Tazorac for treating mild Acne vulgaris, Lentigo and Plaque Psoriasis.Condition
Clinical Trials
Trial Phases
facial hypopigmentation
0 Actively Recruiting
Lentigo
0 Actively Recruiting
mild Acne vulgaris
0 Actively Recruiting
facial fine wrinkling
0 Actively Recruiting
Psoriasis Vulgaris
20 Actively Recruiting
Early Phase 1, Phase 4, Phase 3, Not Applicable, Phase 2
facial hyperpigmentation
0 Actively Recruiting
Acne Vulgaris
0 Actively Recruiting
Tazorac Reviews: What are patients saying about Tazorac?
5Patient Review
8/5/2015 I've been using this for a little over a week, and it's already made a big difference in the oiliness of my skin. My acne is clearing up, though I have experienced some peeling. Overall, I'm very pleased with the results so far and am hopeful that my new pimples will disappear as my face gets used to the product.
5Patient Review
3/6/2015 I've been using this medication for some time to treat acne, but it hasn't made any difference that I can see, and may have even made things worse. My skin has become very sensitive to sunlight; being out in the sun for as little as half an hour causes me pain now, which never happened before I started taking this medication.
5Patient Review
6/16/2016 I've been using this medication for three months now to treat my adult acne, and I haven't seen much of an improvement. I'm going to call my dermatologist today and ask to switch back to Retin-A, which worked much better for me when I used it years ago.
5Patient Review
5/21/2016 I went to the dermatologist today for a mole. After zapping it with nitroglycerin, she addressed my skin condition. She wants me to use Tazarac every day to help with cell growth. I'm actually a bit shocked that the cosmetic nature of dermatology has gone to the next level. Or should I be grateful for her concern for my aging skin?
5Patient Review
8/6/2015 Despite the significant cost, this treatment really helped clear up my skin and get rid of scars. My confidence has grown a lot since using it!
3.7Patient Review
6/10/2019 I used this cream for a year at the suggestion of my dermatologist, but I never saw any results. I don't think it did anything for acne scars like she said it would; rather, it was just a waste of money.
3.7Patient Review
9/13/2017 I'm an older woman who had given up hope of ever clearing my acne. This treatment really did wonders for me and I couldn't be happier.
1.7Patient Review
5/22/2021 The severe side effects I experienced after just one use--redness, itching, burning, inflammation, bumps--were so bad that I had to see a doctor. Never using this again.
1.7Patient Review
2/26/20151.7Patient Review
11/3/2018 This treatment works great for acne, but also tends to dry out my face. I would suggest using it at night before bedtime.
Patient Q&A Section about tazorac
These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.Is Tazorac stronger than tretinoin?
"The 0.1% cream of tazarotene showed significantly higher rates of success in treatment than 0.05% cream of tretinoin at weeks 12 and 20. However, between the 0.05% formulations, tazarotene and tretinoin were comparable in treatment success rates, although in OIA, tretinoin showed a tendency to provide higher rates of improvement."
Answered by AI
What is Tazorac cream used for?
"Tazorac gel is a medication used to treat plaque psoriasis. It can be effective in reducing the size and number of skin lesions in up to 20% of affected skin area. This gel is only available with a doctor's prescription."
Answered by AI
Why was Tazorac removed from US market?
"The FDA Enforcement Report states that Allergan recalled 42,359 tubes of Tazorac in 30-g and 100-g sizes because the gel did not meet the regulatory specifications for product concentration and content uniformity."
Answered by AI