Tazarotene Topical

GENERIC AVAILABLE: No

Tell your doctor about all prescription, non-prescription, illegal, recreational, herbal, nutritional, or dietary drugs you're taking, especially:

• Fluoroquinolones, such as Levaquin (levofloxacin) or Avelox (moxifloxacin)
• Phenothiazines, such as Thorazine (chlorpromazine)
• Sulfonamides, such as Gantanol (sulfamethoxazole)
• Tetracyclines, such as Oracea (doxycycline)
• Thiazide diuretics, such as hydrochlorothiazide
• Vitamin A

In the U.S.

• Avage
• Fabior
• Tazorac

Available Dosage Forms:

• Foam
• Gel/Jelly
• Cream

Therapeutic Class: Dermatological Agent

Chemical Class: Retinoid

Tazarotene topical foam and gel are used to treat acne. tazarotene works to help clear acne on the face partly by keeping the skin pores clear (tiny openings on the skin).

Tazarotene topical 0.1% cream is used to help reduce fine facial wrinkles and certain types of dark and light spots on the face in patients who use a total skin care program and avoid sunlight.

Tazarotene topical cream and gel are used to treat psoriasis. tazarotene works by making the skin less red and reducing the number and size of lesions of the skin.

tazarotene is available only with your doctor's prescription.

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:

• 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)

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:

• 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.

Tazarotene 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.

The Avage brand of tazarotene cream is used to reduce the appearance of fine wrinkles on the face, mottled light and dark skin patches on the face, and benign facial lentigines (non-cancerous freckles) in adults and adolescents who are at least 17 years old.

The Fabior and Tazorac brands of tazarotene topical are 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.

Tazarotene topical may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Apply the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

An overdose of tazarotene topical is not expected to be dangerous. Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222 if anyone has accidentally swallowed the medicine.

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

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

• severe skin irritation (burning, stinging, itching) after applying the medicine;

• severe redness or discomfort; or

• swelling, warmth, oozing, or other signs of skin infection.

Common side effects may include:

• dry, scaly, or peeling skin;

• skin redness or burning; or

• itching or other irritation of treated skin.

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.