In order to cure acne, tazarotene (Tazorac, Fabior) is utilised. Additionally, psoriasis is treated with tazarotene (Tazorac) (a skin disease in which red, scaly patches form on some areas of the body). Patients who also use other skin care products and sun protection regimens might take tazarotene (Avage) to lessen face wrinkles and discolouration. Tazarotene belongs to the group of drugs known as retinoids. It reduces skin cell inflammation and slows the expansion of skin cells, which can cause acne and psoriasis, in order to cure these conditions. It does this by making the outer skin layers thicker, which reduces facial wrinkles and discolouration.

Tazarotene is available as a skin-applying cream, foam, and gel. The only time it is typically utilised is in the evening. Use tazarotene every day at roughly the same time. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any instructions on your prescription label that you are unsure about following. As advised, take tazarotene as prescribed. Use it only as directed by your doctor, neither more nor less often.

Depending on how well your condition is doing and any potential side effects, your doctor may vary the dosage of tazarotene, how frequently you take it, or temporarily discontinue your therapy. Inform your doctor of your treatment response right away.

Your symptoms should subside if you are using tazarotene to treat acne in around 4 weeks. Your symptoms should subside if you are using tazarotene to treat your psoriasis in between one and four weeks of medication. Call your doctor if your symptoms don’t go away or get worse.

Before using, thoroughly shake the tazarotene foam.

Foam made by tazarotene may ignite. When using tazarotene foam and for a short while afterward, keep away from open flames, fire, and smoke.

Applying tazarotene to skin that is sensitive, scratched, sunburned, or covered in eczema is not advised (a skin disease). Applying tazarotene to the affected region shouldn’t be done until the skin has healed if you have any of these disorders.

Moisturizers can be used as frequently as you wish, but you must wait until they have been thoroughly absorbed by the skin (about an hour) before using tazarotene.

Follow these steps to utilise the cream, foam, and gel:

1. Wash the skin with water and a mild soap before applying tazarotene to treat acne or lessen facial wrinkles and discolouration. Next, wipe the skin dry with a soft towel. It is not required to wash the affected area before using tazarotene to treat psoriasis, but if you have, pat the skin dry before administering the medication.
2. On the afflicted skin, apply a thin layer of cream, foam, or gel. You can put this cream on your entire face, including your eyelids, if you’re using it to lessen facial wrinkles and discolouration. Massage it into the skin in a gentle yet thorough manner. Avoid getting tazarotene in your mouth, nose, or eyes.
3. Avoid applying any bandages, dressings, or wrappings to the injured region.
4. After handling the drug, wash your hands with soap and water.

For a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient, ask your pharmacist or doctor.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details if you believe this drug should be used for something else.

Before taking tazarotene,

• If you have an allergy to tazarotene, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in tazarotene cream, foam, or gel, let your doctor and pharmacist know right once. Request a list of the components from your pharmacist.
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, and nutritional supplements you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: chlorothiazide (Diuril); chlorpromazine; chlorthalidone (in Clorpres, Edarbyclor, Tenoretic); fluphenazine; fluoroquinolone antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro), gemifloxacin (Factive), levofloxacin (Levaquin), moxifloxacin (Avelox), and ofloxacin; hydrochlorothiazide (Microdize, in Dyazide, in Hyzaar, in products with HCT suffix, others); indapamide; methyclothiazide; metolazone (Zaroxolyn); perphenazine; prochlorperazine (Compro, Procomp); sulfonamide medications such as co-trimoxazole (Bactrim, Septra), and sulfisoxazole (in erythromycin ethyl succinate and sulfisoxazole acetyl); tetracycline antibiotics such as doxycycline (Monodox, Oracea, Vibramycin, others), tetracycline (Achromycin V, in Pylera), and tigecycline (Tygacil); thioridazine; trifluoperazine; and vitamin A supplements. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
• Apply benzoyl peroxide (Benzaclin, Duac, Epiduo, among others) at a separate time of day than when you apply tazarotene if you also use it.
• If you or anyone in your family has ever had skin cancer, eczema, or any other skin issue, or if your skin is extremely sensitive to sunlight, let your doctor know.
• If you are breastfeeding a child or intend to become pregnant, let your doctor know. Pregnancy should not occur when taking tazarotene. Consult your physician about birth control options you can take while undergoing therapy. A negative pregnancy test must be obtained within two weeks of beginning treatment if you are capable of getting pregnant. To ensure that you are not pregnant, you should begin taking tazarotene during your period. If you find out you’re pregnant while taking tazarotene, stop taking it right away and inform your doctor. The foetus may suffer from tazarotene.
• In particular, if you are prone to sunburn, wear protective clothes, sunglasses, and sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher. You should also avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to both natural and artificial sunlight (such as that from tanning beds and sunlamps). Avert extended exposure to wind or the cold. Your skin may become more sensitive to the sun and harsh weather if you take tazarotene.
• Any skin or hair care products you use, including soaps, shampoos, permanent wave solutions, cleansers, moisturisers, and cosmetics, should be disclosed to your doctor. If you combine tazarotene with many skin care products, your skin may become irritated, especially if the products are harsh, dry out the skin, contain alcohol, spices, or lime rind. Your doctor might advise you to wait to start taking tazarotene if you have been using these products. Request product suggestions from your doctor for items that won’t aggravate your skin.
• Avoid getting tazarotene in your eyes at all costs. If tazarotene does get in your eyes, thoroughly rinse them out with water.
• During your tazarotene treatment, avoid using hot wax or electrolysis to remove unwanted hair from the region that you are treating.

Keep eating normally unless your doctor instructs you otherwise.

Skip the missed dose if you are using tazarotene gel and carry on with your regular dosing plan.

Apply the missing dose of tazarotene cream or foam as soon as you remember it if you are using it. If the next dose is soon due, skip the missed one and carry on with your regular dosing plan.

To make up for a missed dose, do not apply additional gel, cream, or foam at the next planned dose.

Tazarotene might have negative effects. The skin you are treating with tazarotene is likely to experience the following symptoms. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:

• Itching
• Burning
• Redness
• Rash
• Peeling
• Stinging
• Pain
• Dryness
• Swelling
• Discoloration
• Irritation or eyelid or eye swelling
• Bruised or swollen lips
• Swelling in the legs or arms

Other negative effects of tazarotene may occur. If you experience any strange issues while taking this medicine, contact your doctor right away.

You or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting programme online or by phone if you have a serious side event (1-800-332-1088).

Keep this medication tightly closed in the original container and out of the reach of children. Store it away from excessive heat and moisture at room temperature (not in the bathroom). Avoid freezing.

Keep tazarotene foam away from flames and very hot surfaces since it is combustible. The tazarotene foam container should not be pierced or burned.

Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent pets, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilising a medicine take-back programme is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programmes in your area, speak with your pharmacist or the garbage/recycling department in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back programme, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

As many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning. http://www.upandaway.org

If someone drinks tazarotene, call your local poison control centre at 1-800-222-1222. If the patient has collapsed or has stopped breathing, call 911 to contact the nearest emergency personnel.

Keep all of your doctor’s appointments.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.