Note: In patients experiencing excessive pruritus, burning, skin redness, or peeling, discontinue until integrity of the skin is restored or reduce dosing to an interval the patient is able to tolerate.
Acne vulgaris:
Cream or gel: Children ≥12 years and Adolescents: Topical: Tazorac (0.1%): Apply as a thin film (2 mg/cm2) to affected area(s) once daily in the evening.
Foam: Children ≥12 years and Adolescents: Topical: Fabior (0.1%): Apply a small amount to affected area(s) once daily in the evening.
Lotion: Children ≥9 years and Adolescents: Topical: Arazlo (0.045%): Apply a thin layer to affected area(s) once daily.
Psoriasis:
Cream: Adolescents ≥18 years: Topical: Tazorac (0.05%): Initial: Apply a thin film (2 mg/cm2) to affected area once daily in the evening; may increase strength to 0.1% if tolerated and necessary.
Gel: Children ≥12 years and Adolescents: Topical: Tazorac (0.05%): Initial: Apply a thin film (2 mg/cm2) to 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.
Palliation of fine facial wrinkles, facial mottled hyper-/hypopigmentation, benign facial lentigines: Adolescents ≥17 years: Topical: Cream: Avage (0.1%): Apply a pea-sized amount once daily at bedtime; lightly cover entire face including eyelids if desired.
There are no dosage adjustments provided in the manufacturer's labeling; however, dosage adjustment unlikely necessary due to low systemic absorption.
There are no dosage adjustments provided in the manufacturer's labeling; however, dosage adjustment unlikely necessary due to low systemic absorption.
(For additional information see "Tazarotene: Drug information")
Acne vulgaris:
Note: For moderate to severe acne, may be used as part of an appropriate combination regimen (AAD [Zaenglein 2016]). Consider starting with the lowest possible concentration to minimize skin irritation and increase potency as tolerated. In patients experiencing excessive pruritus, burning, skin redness, or peeling, discontinue until integrity of the skin is restored, or reduce dosing to an interval the patient can tolerate.
Topical:
Arazlo: Apply a thin layer to affected area once daily.
Fabior: Apply a small amount to affected area once daily in the evening.
Tazorac cream/gel 0.05% or 0.1%: Apply a thin layer (2 mg/cm2) to affected area once daily in the evening.
Palliation of fine facial wrinkles, facial mottled hyper-/hypopigmentation, benign facial lentigines: Topical: Avage: Apply a pea-sized amount to entire face once daily at bedtime. In patients experiencing excessive pruritus, burning, skin redness, or peeling, discontinue until integrity of the skin is restored, or reduce dosing to an interval the patient can tolerate.
Psoriasis: Topical: 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. In patients experiencing excessive pruritus, burning, skin redness, or peeling, discontinue until integrity of the skin is restored, or reduce dosing to an interval the patient can tolerate.
There are no dosage adjustments provided in the manufacturer's labeling.
There are no dosage adjustments provided in the manufacturer's labeling.
The following adverse drug reactions and incidences are derived from product labeling unless otherwise specified. Percentage of incidence varies with formulation and/or strength.
>10%: Dermatologic: Desquamation (0.1% cream 40%; foam 6%), erythema (0.1% cream 34%; foam 6%), burning sensation of skin (26%), xeroderma (7% to 16%), skin irritation (10% to 14%), exacerbation of psoriasis, skin pain
1% to 10%:
Cardiovascular: Peripheral edema
Dermatologic: Pruritus (0.1% cream 10%; foam 1%), contact dermatitis (8%), stinging of the skin (3%), skin rash (≤3%), cheilitis (1%), dermatitis (1%), skin photosensitivity (1%), eczema, skin discoloration, skin fissure
Endocrine & metabolic: Hypertriglyceridemia
Local: Application site pain (1%), local hemorrhage
Ophthalmic: Ocular irritation (including edema, irritation, and inflammation of the eye or eyelid; 4%)
Frequency not defined: Hypersensitivity: Hypersensitivity reaction, local hypersensitivity reaction
<1%, postmarketing, and/or case reports: Application site edema, exfoliation of skin, impetigo, pain, skin blister
Hypersensitivity to tazarotene or any component of the formulation; pregnancy.
Canadian labeling: Additional contraindications (not in the US labeling): Presence of seborrheic dermatitis.
Concerns related to adverse effects:
• Photosensitivity: May cause photosensitivity; exposure to ultraviolet rays (including sunlight/sunlamps) should be avoided unless deemed medically necessary, and in such cases, exposure should be minimized. Risk may be increased by concurrent therapy with known photosensitizers (thiazides, tetracyclines, fluoroquinolones, phenothiazines, sulfonamides); use with caution. Use with caution in patients with a personal or family history of skin cancer. Daily sunscreen use and other protective measures recommended. Patients with sunburn should discontinue use until sunburn has healed.
• Skin irritation: Local tolerability reactions (including blistering or skin desquamation) or local hypersensitivity reactions (including urticaria) may occur. Application-site pain, excessive burning, drying, pruritus, peeling, and skin redness may occur, especially during the early weeks of treatment. Treatment can increase skin sensitivity to weather extremes of wind or cold. Concomitant topical medications (eg, medicated or abrasive soaps, cleansers, cosmetics with a strong drying effect) should be avoided due to increased skin irritation. Depending on the severity of the reaction, instruct patients to use a moisturizer, reduce the frequency of use, or discontinue use.
Dosage form specific issues:
• Benzyl alcohol and derivatives: Some dosage forms may contain benzyl alcohol; large amounts of benzyl alcohol (≥99 mg/kg/day) have been associated with a potentially fatal toxicity (“gasping syndrome”) in neonates; the “gasping syndrome” consists of metabolic acidosis, respiratory distress, gasping respirations, CNS dysfunction (including convulsions, intracranial hemorrhage), hypotension, and cardiovascular collapse (AAP ["Inactive" 1997]; CDC 1982); some data suggests that benzoate displaces bilirubin from protein binding sites (Ahlfors 2001); avoid or use dosage forms containing benzyl alcohol with caution in neonates. See manufacturer's labeling.
• Foam: Propellant is flammable; avoid fire and smoking during and immediately after use.
• Gel: Safety and efficacy of gel applied over >20% of BSA have not been established.
Other warnings/precautions:
• Appropriate use: For external use only; avoid contact with eyes, eyelids, and mouth. Not for use on eczematous, abraded, broken, or sunburned skin; not for treatment of lentigo maligna. Avoid application over extensive areas. The efficacy of tazarotene gel in the treatment of acne previously treated with other retinoids or resistant to oral antibiotics has not been established.
Excipient information presented when available (limited, particularly for generics); consult specific product labeling. [DSC] = Discontinued product
Cream, External:
Tazorac: 0.05% (30 g, 60 g) [contains benzyl alcohol, edetate (edta) disodium]
Tazorac: 0.1% (30 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 [DSC], 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]) [contains benzyl alcohol]
Tazorac: 0.1% (30 g, 100 g) [contains benzyl alcohol, edetate (edta) disodium]
Generic: 0.05% (30 g, 100 g); 0.1% (30 g, 100 g)
Lotion, External:
Arazlo: 0.045% (45 g) [contains edetate (edta) disodium dihydrate, methylparaben, propylparaben]
May be product dependent
Cream (Tazarotene External)
0.1% (per gram): $12.99 - $13.01
Cream (Tazorac External)
0.05% (per gram): $19.19
0.1% (per gram): $20.38
Foam (Fabior External)
0.1% (per gram): $14.84
Foam (Tazarotene External)
0.1% (per gram): $16.01
Gel (Tazarotene External)
0.05% (per gram): $15.80
0.1% (per gram): $16.79
Gel (Tazorac External)
0.05% (per gram): $19.19
0.1% (per gram): $20.38
Lotion (Arazlo External)
0.045% (per gram): $14.27
Disclaimer: A representative AWP (Average Wholesale Price) price or price range is provided as reference price only. A range is provided when more than one manufacturer's AWP price is available and uses the low and high price reported by the manufacturers to determine the range. The pricing data should be used for benchmarking purposes only, and as such should not be used alone to set or adjudicate any prices for reimbursement or purchasing functions or considered to be an exact price for a single product and/or manufacturer. Medi-Span expressly disclaims all warranties of any kind or nature, whether express or implied, and assumes no liability with respect to accuracy of price or price range data published in its solutions. In no event shall Medi-Span be liable for special, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from use of price or price range data. Pricing data is updated monthly.
Excipient information presented when available (limited, particularly for generics); consult specific product labeling. [DSC] = Discontinued product
Cream, External:
Tazorac: 0.05% ([DSC]); 0.1% ([DSC]) [contains benzyl alcohol]
Gel, External:
Tazorac: 0.05% ([DSC]); 0.1% ([DSC])
Lotion, External:
Arazlo: 0.045% (3 g, 45 g) [contains edetate (edta) disodium dihydrate, methylparaben, propylparaben]
For topical use only; not for oral, ophthalmic, or intravaginal use. Avoid eyes, mouth, or other mucous membranes; rinse thoroughly with water if contact occurs. Do not cover treated areas with dressings or bandages. Do not apply to eczematous, abraded, broken, or sunburned skin. Use effective sunscreen and wear protective clothing during treatment. Wash hands after use.
Acne:
Cream (Tazorac), foam, gel: Apply in evening after gently cleansing and drying face; apply enough to cover entire affected area.
Foam: Wash with a mild cleanser and dry affected area before applying foam. Shake can before use then dispense a small amount of foam into palm of the hand. Use fingertips to lightly cover the entire affected area of the face and/or upper trunk with a thin layer; massage into skin until foam disappears. Moisturizer may be used if necessary.
Lotion: Apply thin layer to cover affected area.
Palliation of fine facial wrinkles, facial mottled hyper-/hypopigmentation, benign facial lentigines: Cream (Avage): Apply to clean, dry face at bedtime; lightly cover entire face including eyelids if desired. Emollients or moisturizers may be applied before or after; if applied before tazarotene, ensure cream or lotion has absorbed into the skin and has dried completely before applying tazarotene.
Psoriasis: Cream (Tazorac), gel: Apply in evening. If a bath or shower is taken prior to application, dry the skin before applying. If emollients are used, apply them at least 1 hour prior to application. Unaffected skin may be more susceptible to irritation; avoid application to these areas.
Topical: For topical use only; not for oral, ophthalmic, or intravaginal use. Avoid eyes, mouth, paranasal creases, or other mucous membranes; rinse thoroughly with water if contact occurs. Do not cover treated areas with dressings or bandages. Do not apply to eczematous, abraded, broken, or sunburned skin. Use effective sunscreen and wear protective clothing during treatment. Wash hands after use.
Acne: Apply in evening after gently cleansing and drying face; apply enough to cover entire affected area. If concomitant use with oxidizing agents (eg, benzoyl peroxide) is needed, apply each medication at different times of the day (eg, one in the morning and the other in the evening); concurrent use may decrease efficacy of tazarotene containing products.
Foam: Dispense a small amount of foam into palm of the hand. Use fingertips to lightly cover the entire affected area of the face and/or upper trunk with a thin layer; massage into skin until foam disappears. Moisturizer may be used if necessary.
Palliation of fine facial wrinkles, facial mottled hyper-/hypopigmentation, benign facial lentigines: Apply to clean dry face at bedtime; lightly cover entire face including eyelids if desired. Emollients or moisturizers may be applied before or after; ensure first cream or lotion has absorbed into the skin and has dried completely before applying tazarotene.
Psoriasis: Apply in evening. If a bath or shower is taken prior to application, dry the skin before applying. If emollients are used, apply them at least 1 hour prior to application. Unaffected skin may be more susceptible to irritation, avoid application to these areas.
Cream: Store at 25°C (77°F); excursions are permitted between -5°C to 30°C (23°F to 86°F).
Foam: Store at 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F); excursions are permitted between 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F). Store upright and protect from freezing. Foam is flammable; avoid fire, flame, or smoking during and immediately following application. Contents under pressure. Do not puncture or incinerate. Do not expose to heat or store at temperatures above 49°C (120°F).
Gel: Store at 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F); excursions are permitted between 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F).
Lotion: Store at 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F); excursions are permitted between 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F); protect from freezing.
Treatment of acne vulgaris (Arazlo [0.045%] lotion: FDA approved in ages ≥9 years and adults; Fabior [0.1%] foam, Tazorac [0.1%] cream, Tazorac [0.1%] gel: FDA approved in ages ≥12 years and adults).
Treatment of plaque psoriasis (Tazorac [0.05% and 0.1%] gel: FDA approved in ages ≥12 years and adults; Tazorac [0.05% and 0.1%] cream: FDA approved in ages ≥18 years and adults).
Mitigation (palliation) of facial fine wrinkling, facial mottled hyper-/hypopigmentation, and benign facial lentigines as adjunct to comprehensive skin care and sunlight avoidance (Avage [0.1%] cream: FDA approved in ages ≥17 years and adults).
The Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) includes this medication among its list of drugs (contraindicated in pregnancy) which have a heightened risk of causing significant patient harm when used in error (High-Alert Medications in Community/Ambulatory Care Settings).
None known.
Note: Interacting drugs may not be individually listed below if they are part of a group interaction (eg, individual drugs within “CYP3A4 Inducers [Strong]” are NOT listed). For a complete list of drug interactions by individual drug name and detailed management recommendations, use the drug interactions program
There are no known significant interactions.
Evaluate pregnancy status prior to use in females of reproductive potential. A negative pregnancy test should be obtained within 2 weeks prior to treatment; treatment should begin during a normal menstrual period. Adequate contraception should be used in females of reproductive potential.
Use in pregnancy is contraindicated.
Inadvertent exposure to a limited number of pregnant women occurred during premarketing studies; however, the available data are inadequate to evaluate outcomes. Based on data from animal reproduction studies, retinoid pharmacology, and the potential for systemic absorption, in utero exposure to tazarotene may cause fetal harm.
Topical products are recommended as initial therapy for the treatment of acne or psoriasis in pregnant women. Because the safety of tazarotene is uncertain, use during pregnancy is contraindicated (Bae 2012; Chien 2016; Kong 2013).
Disease severity in plaque psoriasis (reduction in erythema, scaling, induration); pregnancy test prior to treatment of females of childbearing age.
Synthetic, acetylenic retinoid which modulates differentiation and proliferation of epithelial tissue and exerts some degree of anti-inflammatory and immunological activity
Onset of action: Psoriasis: 1 week
Duration: Therapeutic: Psoriasis: Effects have been observed for up to 3 months after a 3-month course of topical treatment
Absorption: Minimal following cutaneous application (≤6% of dose)
Distribution: Retained in skin for prolonged periods after topical application
Protein binding: >99% (tazarotenic acid)
Metabolism: Prodrug, rapidly metabolized via esterase hydrolysis to an active metabolite (tazarotenic acid) following topical application and systemic absorption; tazarotenic acid undergoes further hepatic metabolism
Half-life elimination:
Cream, gel: ~18 hours (tazarotenic acid)
Foam: 8.1 ± 3.7 hours
Excretion: Urine and feces (as metabolites)
Pediatric: Arazlo: In patients 9 to <12 years of age, mean tazarotenic acid Cmax is ~2.4-fold higher and mean AUC (0-t) is ~2.3-fold higher compared to patients ≥12 years of age.
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