Tazarotene is an anti-aging treatment for acne and psoriasis, but it’s also used to reduce fine wrinkles, dark spots and skin roughness caused by sun damage. It’s part of a group of medications known as retinoids, and it works by targeting genes that control the growth of new skin cells.
This medication is available in a cream, foam, and gel. It’s usually applied once a day, but the frequency may vary depending on the condition it’s treating. Patients should carefully follow their doctor’s instructions. The cream should be applied to clean, dry skin. Patients should avoid using other skin products that can cause irritation, and they should protect themselves from sunlight while using the cream.
It’s important to tell your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant. The drug contains a type of medication called a retinoid, and it’s known to harm fetuses when taken during pregnancy. Your doctor will want to know if you are breastfeeding or are taking any other medications.
If you have a history of heart problems or high blood pressure, your doctor may need to monitor you while using this medicine. It’s also important to let your doctor know if you have any other health conditions. You should not use this medication if you are allergic to tazarotene, or if you have a history of serious skin infections.
The mechanism by which this medication treats acne and psoriasis is complex. It starts out as an acetylenic retinoid prodrug, and then gets converted to the active metabolite, tazarotenic acid, which has a selective affinity for retinoic acid receptors. Tazarotenic acid then affects the expression of these genes. As a result, it decreases production of sebum (oil) and dead skin cells in the pores, which leads to decreased inflammation in acne and psoriasis.
It has also been found to normalize desquamation, which is a process by which the skin sheds old skin cells. This helps prevent the accumulation of dead skin cells in the pores, which is what causes blackheads and whiteheads in acne. It also slows the production of keratinocytes, which helps reduce inflammation in psoriasis.
There aren’t any foods or supplements that have been reported to interact with tazarotene, but you should always check with your doctor before using any other medicines or herbal remedies while taking it. Some interactions can interfere with how well a medicine works, while others can make side effects more severe. tazarotene uk