Tazorac

Tazorac is a prescription medication used to treat acne and plaque psoriasis. Tazorac belongs to a group of drugs called retinoids. The mechanism by which Tazorac works to treat acne and plaque psoriasis is not yet fully understood.

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

Common side effects of Tazorac include itching, burning, and redness of the skin.

Tazorac is a prescription medication used to treat plaque psoriasis covering up to 20% of body surface area and mild to moderately severe acne.

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

• Allergan, Inc.

Serious side effects have been reported with Tazorac. See the "Tazorac Precautions” section.

Common side effects of Tazorac include the following:

• skin itching
• skin redness
• temporary worsening of psoriasis
• skin irritation
• skin pain
• peeling of the skin

This is not a complete list of Tazorac 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.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:

• any other skin care products
• aminolevulinic acid 
• ammoniated mercury
• benzoic acid
• benzoyl peroxide
• coal tar
• doxycycline
• hydrocortisone
• methoxsalen
• methyl aminolevulinate
• pyrithione
• resorcinol
• salicylic acid 
• sulfacetamide
• sulfur
• verteporfin

This is not a complete list of Tazorac drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Serious side effects have been reported with Tazorac including the following: 

Excessive skin irritation, itching, and/or burning. Tazorac cream may cause excessive irritation in the skin of certain sensitive individuals. Some individuals may experience excessive itching, burning, skin redness and/or peeling as well. If this occurs, discontinue use and consult with your dermatologist physician for guidance.

Severe sunburn. Tazorac can cause you to sunburn more easily. Because of the heightened burning susceptibility, exposure to sunlight (including sunlamps) should be avoided. Be sure to wear protective clothing and sunscreen of at least 15 SPF while in the sun. 

Do not take Tazorac if you:

• are allergic to Tazorac or to any of its ingredients
• are pregnant or think you might be pregnant
• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed
• receive extensive sun exposure due to your occupation

Medications can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of Tazorac, there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving this medication.

Before taking Tazorac, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions. Especially tell your doctor if you:

• are allergic to Tazorac or to any of its ingredients
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed
• recieve extensive sun exposure due to your occupation
• have any medical skin conditions
• have experienced skin irritation after using any skin products in the past
• currently use any other skin products

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

Tazorac falls into category X. It has been shown that women taking Tazorac during pregnancy may have babies born with problems. There are no situations where the benefits of the medication for the mother outweigh the risks of harm to the baby. These medicines should never be used by pregnant women.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

It is not known if Tazorac crosses into human milk. Because many medications can cross into human milk and because of the possibility for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants with use of this medication, a choice should be made whether to stop nursing or stop the use of this medication. Your doctor and you will decide if the benefits outweigh the risk of using Tazorac.

Apply Tazorac exactly as prescribed.

Tazorac comes in both gel and cream forms and is typically applied to the affected skin once a day in the evening.

Plaque Psoriasis

• Your physician may gradually increase the strength of your Tazorac over time if you do not have side effects
• To use Tazorac, apply a thin film to cover only the psoriatic lesions and wash hands after use
• If a bath or shower is taken prior to application, the skin should be dry before applying the cream
• If emollients are used, they should be applied at least an hour before application of Tazorac
• Because unaffected skin may be more susceptible to irritation, application of Tazorac to these areas should be carefully avoided

Acne

• To use Tazorac, first cleanse the face gently; after the skin is dry, apply a thin layer once per day, in the evening, to the skin areas where acne lesions appear; use enough to cover the entire affected area and wash hands after use
• Tazorac is for topical use only
• If contact with eyes occurs, rinse thoroughly with water

If you miss a dose, apply the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and apply your next dose at the regular time. Do not apply two doses of Tazorac at the same time.

Apply this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully.

The dose your doctor recommends may be based on the following:

• the condition being treated
• other medical conditions you have
• other medications you are taking
• how you respond to this medication
• your age

The recommended dose of Tazorac for the treatment of acne and/or plaque psoriasis is a thin film applied only to the affected skin areas once per day in the evening.

If you use too much Tazorac, call your healthcare provider or local Poison Control Center, or seek emergency medical attention right away.

• Store at 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F)
• For external use only
• Wash hands after use
• Keep this and all medicines out of the reach of children