Tazarotene

Tazarotene treats acne, fine facial wrinkles, and psoriasis. Avoid becoming pregnant while using tazarotene. You may sunburn easier while using this medication, so protect your skin.

Tazarotene Overview

Reviewed: September 30, 2013
Updated: 

Tazarotene is a prescription medication used to treat acne, fine lines and to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, spots on the skin, and psoriasis. Tazarotene belongs to a group of drugs called retinoids, but the way tazarotene works is not known.

This medication comes in gel, foam, and cream forms and is applied to the affected skin once a day in the evening.

Common side effects of tazarotene include itching, burning or stinging, and redness of the skin.

How was your experience with Tazarotene?

First, a little about yourself

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What tips would you provide a friend before taking Tazarotene?

What are you taking Tazarotene for?

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  • Other
  • Acne Vulgaris
  • Psoriasis

How long have you been taking it?

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  • Less than a week
  • A couple weeks
  • A month or so
  • A few months
  • A year or so
  • Two years or more

How well did Tazarotene work for you?

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How likely would you be to recommend Tazarotene to a friend?

Uses of Tazarotene

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Tazarotene gel is a prescription medication used to treat plaque psoriasis covering up to 20% of body surface area. It is also used to treat mild to moderately severe facial acne.

Tazarotene foam is a prescription medication used to treat mild to moderately severe facial acne.

Tazarotene cream is a prescription medication used to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and pigmentation (spots) on the skin in those who use comprehensive skin care and sunlight avoidance programs. It does not eliminate or prevent wrinkles, repair sun-damaged skin, reverse photo aging, or restore more youthful or younger skin.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

 

Tazarotene Brand Names

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Tazarotene may be found in some form under the following brand names:

Tazarotene Drug Class

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Tazarotene is part of the drug class:

Side Effects of Tazarotene

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Serious side effects have been reported with tazarotene.

Common side effects of tazarotene include the following:

  • itching
  • burning/stinging
  • red skin
  • worsening of psoriasis
  • skin irritation
  • skin pain
  • peeling of the skin

This is not a complete list of tazarotene side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.