Drug Name

Tazorac (Tazarotene)

Drug Uses

Tazorac Cream helps the skin to renew itself more quickly and improves the appearance and texture of skin. Tazorac cream is also used to treat plaque psoriasis (psoriasis with scaly patches) and to treat facial acne.

How Taken

Use Tazorac Cream as directed by your doctor.

• Tazorac Cream is for external use only.
• Apply Tazorac Cream using a thin film to cover the lesion only.
• If a bath or shower is taken before applying Tazorac Cream, make sure that the skin is dry before applying Tazorac Cream.
• Do not allow Tazorac Cream to come into contact with unaffected skin.
• Wash your hands immediately after using Tazorac Cream, unless you have psoriasis on your hands.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Tazorac Cream.

Drug Class and Mechanism

Tazorac Cream is a retinoid. The specific way Tazorac Cream works is not completely understood. It decreases skin inflammation and skin changes associated with psoriasis.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of Tazorac Cream, use it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not use 2 doses at once.

Storage

Store Tazorac Cream at room temperature between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C) in a tightly closed container. Brief periods at temperatures of 59 to 86 degrees F (15 to 30 degrees C) are permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Tazorac Cream out of the reach of children and away from pets.

Warnings/Precautions

Do not use Tazorac Cream if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Tazorac Cream;
• you are pregnant.

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Important :

• Avoid getting Tazorac Cream in your eyes, nose, mouth, vagina, or on healthy skin. If you get Tazorac Cream in your eyes, rinse thoroughly with water.
• Do not take more than the recommended dose or use for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor.
• Avoid using other topical medication, cosmetics, or other products that have a strong drying effect. If you have dry skin from using these products, allow your skin to rest before using Tazorac Cream.
• Talk with your doctor before you use any other medicines, cleansers, sunscreen or makeup on your skin.
• Do not use Tazorac Cream on skin with eczema, or for any condition other than that for which it was prescribed.
• If you have a sunburn, do not use Tazorac Cream on the sunburned skin until it has fully healed.
• Weather extremes, such as windy or cold weather, may irritate your skin more while you are using Tazorac Cream.
• If you are using a cream or lotion to soften or moisten your skin, do not apply Tazorac Cream until the first cream or lotion has been absorbed into your skin (at least 1 hour).
• Tazorac Cream may cause harm if it is swallowed. If you may have taken it by mouth, contact your poison control center or emergency room right away.
• Do not cover the treated area with dressings or bandages.
• Tazorac Cream may cause you to become sunburned more easily. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Tazorac Cream. Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time.
• Tazorac Cream should be used with extreme caution in children; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
• Women of childbearing potential should use effective birth control methods (eg, condoms, birth control pills, diaphragms) while using Tazorac Cream. You should have a negative pregnancy test 2 weeks before starting Tazorac Cream. Contact your health care provider at once if you become pregnant while using Tazorac Cream.
• Pregnancy and breast-feeding:Do not use Tazorac Cream if you are pregnant. Avoid becoming pregnant while you are taking it. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor right away. It is not known if Tazorac Cream is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Tazorac Cream.

Possible Side Effects

Check with your doctor if any of these most common side effects persist or become bothersome:

• burning; dry skin; irritation; itching; peeling; redness; scaling; skin inflammation; skin pain; stinging.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these severe side effects occur:

• severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); severe or prolonged itching, burning, redness, or peeling; sunburn; swelling of the skin, hands, or feet; worsening of psoriasis.

More Information

Tazorac Cream is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.