Tazarotene: Price, Dosage & Where to Buy

Tazarotene is a retinoid medicine used on the skin to treat mild to moderate facial acne. It requires a prescription in the United Kingdom and is available in several skin preparations, including gel, cream, foam and lotion. The gel is also used for plaque psoriasis, with limits on how much skin can be treated.

Tazarotene gel is indicated for mild to moderate acne affecting the face and for plaque psoriasis affecting up to 20% of the body's surface area. Plaque psoriasis causes raised, scaly patches of skin. The safety of using the gel over more than 20% of the body's surface area has not been established for either condition.

Its effectiveness for acne previously treated with other retinoids, or acne resistant to oral antibiotics, has not been established. These indications relate to the gel formulation.

The label lists foam at 1 mg/g; creams at 0.05 mg/g, 0.1 mg/g, 0.5 mg/g and 1 mg/g; gels at 0.5 mg/g and 1 mg/g; and lotion at 0.45 mg/g. The label lists a starting gel strength of 0.05% for psoriasis, increased to 0.1% if tolerated and medically indicated. The label lists a thin film of psoriasis gel once daily in the evening, covering only affected patches on no more than 20% of the body's surface area.

The label lists a thin layer of 0.1% gel once daily in the evening for facial acne, covering the affected area. These gel directions describe use on dry skin. The gel is for skin use only, not for the eyes, mouth or vagina.

The label advises avoiding transfer to mucous membranes and washing hands thoroughly after use. Where moisturising preparations are used for psoriasis, the label specifies that these precede the gel rather than being used together.

Tazarotene belongs to the retinoid family, a group of medicines related to vitamin A. Retinoids act on receptors inside skin cells that help control how those cells grow and develop. This can help skin cells shed more normally and reduce the build-up that blocks pores in acne.

In psoriasis, retinoid activity helps regulate the unusually rapid growth of skin cells. These effects can also cause irritation, dryness and peeling of the treated skin.

Tazarotene must not be used during pregnancy because it may harm the unborn baby. Treatment should stop as soon as pregnancy is recognised. The label recommends a negative pregnancy test within 2 weeks before starting, starting during a menstrual period, and effective contraception during treatment.

There is no information about tazarotene in human milk, its effects on breastfed infants or its effects on milk production. Breastfeeding benefits, the mother's need for treatment and possible risks to the child need to be considered with a clinician.

A missed application should not be made up with extra gel or more frequent use. Excessive use can cause marked redness, peeling or discomfort.

Resume the prescribed routine rather than doubling an application. A pharmacist can clarify the schedule if missed applications happen regularly.

The label specifies storage at 20°C to 25°C, with temporary excursions permitted from 15°C to 30°C. Keep the medicine out of the sight and reach of children.