Tazarotene belongs to the group of medications called retinoids. It is related to vitamin A and helps the skin to renew itself more quickly. It also helps improve the appearance and texture of the skin. It is prescribed for plaque psoriasis and acne vulgaris. It appears to help with psoriasis by lowering inflammation and slowing down the growth of skin cells. It is also used to treat fine wrinkles, mottled light and dark spots, and sun damaged skin (photodamage).
Tazorac is a topical medication that comes as a cream, foam or gel to apply on the face. It is usually applied once a day in the evening. Before applying the medicine, wash and dry the skin. The medication is absorbed through the skin and converted into an active form of the drug called tazarotene acid. Tazorac has been shown in peer reviewed, double blind studies to reduce fine wrinkles, blotches of light and dark pigmentation, and coarse wrinkling in sun damaged skin. It has also been shown to decrease the activity of atypical melanocytes, which are precancerous cells that can lead to melanoma.
Tell your doctor if you have any allergies to this or any other drugs, especially ones that are used to treat the skin or hair, or foods such as peanuts, seafood or lime or orange peel. This may affect how well tazarotene works. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or might become pregnant or breastfeed. This medication can harm a developing baby. Women who might become pregnant should not handle tazarotene. You should use reliable forms of birth control while taking tazarotene and for 2 weeks after treatment. If you are able to get pregnant, you should have a negative pregnancy test before starting this medication and each time you get a refill.
This drug should not be used if you have severe liver disease or uncontrolled high blood pressure. It can increase your chances of having side effects or serious infections. It can also make you more sensitive to sunlight. Use sunscreen and wear protective clothing when going outdoors.
If you are using another type of acne medication such as benzoyl peroxide, apply it at a different time of the day from tazarotene. It is possible to have an allergic reaction to both medicines.
Do not wash or rub the area where you put tazarotene on your skin, except for the hands. Do not apply a lot of the medicine, but only enough to cover the affected areas.
Keep this medication at room temperature and out of reach of children. Do not dispose of medications in wastewater or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist about how to safely dispose of unused medication.
This medication should not be used by teenagers who have hormone-sensitive conditions, such as a history of eczema, psoriasis, or facial acne. Tazarotene may be more likely to cause side effects in these patients. buy tazarotene