What is Tazorac?
- Tazorac Cream 0.05% and 0.1% is a prescription medicine used on the skin (topical) to treat people with plaque psoriasis.
- Tazorac Cream 0.1% is also used on the skin to treat people with acne vulgaris.
- It is not known if Tazorac Cream is safe and effective for:
- the treatment of plaque psoriasis in children under 18 years of age
- the treatment of acne vulgaris in children under 12 years of age
What is the most important information I should know about Tazorac?
Tazorac Cream is for use on skin only. Do not use Tazorac Cream in your eyes, mouth, or vagina.
Tazorac Cream may cause birth defects if used during pregnancy.
- Females must not be pregnant when they start using Tazorac Cream or become pregnant during treatment with Tazorac Cream.
- For females who are able to get pregnant:
- Your doctor will order a pregnancy test for you within 2 weeks before you begin treatment with Tazorac Cream to be sure that you are not pregnant. Your doctor will decide when to do the test.
- Begin treatment with Tazorac Cream during a normal menstrual period.
- Use an effective form of birth control during treatment with Tazorac Cream. Talk with your doctor about birth control options that may be used to prevent pregnancy during treatment with Tazorac Cream.
- Stop using Tazorac Cream and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant while using Tazorac Cream.
Who should not use Tazorac?
Do not use Tazorac Cream if you:
- are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. See “What is the most important information I should know about Tazorac Cream?” at the beginning of this leaflet.
- are allergic to tazarotene or any of the ingredients in Tazorac Cream. See the end of this leaflet for a complete list of ingredients in Tazorac Cream.
What should I tell my healthcare provider before using Tazorac?
Before you use Tazorac Cream, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
- have eczema or any other skin problems
- are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if Tazorac Cream passes into your breast milk. Talk to your doctor about using Tazorac Cream while breastfeeding.
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Certain medicines, vitamins, or supplements may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight.
Also, tell your doctor about any cosmetics you use, including moisturizers, creams, lotions, or products that can dry out your skin.
How should I use Tazorac?
- Use Tazorac Cream exactly as your doctor tells you to use it.
- Apply Tazorac Cream 1 time each day, in the evening.
- Do not get Tazorac Cream in your eyes, on your eyelids, or in your mouth. If Tazorac Cream gets in or near your eyes, rinse them well with water. Call your doctor or get medical help if you have eye irritation that does not go away.
- Wash your hands after applying Tazorac Cream.
Follow these instructions for applying Tazorac Cream:
- If you have psoriasis:
- If you shower or bathe before applying Tazorac Cream, your skin should be dry before applying the cream.
- You may use a cream or lotion to soften or moisten your skin at least 1 hour before you apply Tazorac Cream.
- Apply a thin layer of Tazorac Cream to cover only the psoriasis lesions.
- If you have acne:
- Gently wash and dry your face before applying Tazorac Cream.
- Apply a thin layer of Tazorac Cream to cover only the acne lesions.
- If you swallow Tazorac Cream, call your doctor or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away.
What should I avoid while taking Tazorac?
- Avoid sunlight, including sunlamps, during treatment with Tazorac Cream. Tazorac Cream can make you more sensitive to the sun, and the light from sunlamps and tanning beds. You could get a severe sunburn. Use sunscreen and wear a hat and clothes that cover your skin if you have to be in sunlight.
- Talk to your doctor if you get a sunburn during treatment with Tazorac Cream. If you get a sunburn, do not use Tazorac Cream until your sunburn is healed.
- Avoid using cosmetics or topical medicines that may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight or make your skin dry.
- Avoid using Tazorac Cream on unaffected skin or skin with eczema because it may cause severe irritation.
What are the possible side effects of Tazorac?
Tazorac Cream may cause serious side effects, including:
- Skin irritation and allergic reactions (hypersensitivity). Tazorac Cream may cause increased skin irritation and hives. Tell your doctor if you develop hives, or itching, burning, redness, or peeling of your skin during treatment with Tazorac Cream. If you develop hives or skin irritation, your doctor may tell you to stop using Tazorac Cream until your skin heals, tell you to use Tazorac Cream less often, or change your Tazorac Cream dose. Also, wind or cold weather may be more irritating to your skin while you are using Tazorac Cream.
- Sensitivity to sunlight and risk of sunburn. See "What should I avoid while using Tazorac Cream?”
The most common side effects of Tazorac Cream in people with psoriasis include itching, redness and burning.
The most common side effects of Tazorac Cream in people with acne include peeling, dry skin, redness and burning.
These are not all the possible side effects of Tazorac Cream. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
General information about the safe and effective use of Tazorac
General information about the safe and effective use of Tazorac Cream.
Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Patient Information leaflet. Do not use Tazorac Cream for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give Tazorac Cream to other people, even if they have the same symptoms you have. It may harm them. You can ask your doctor or pharmacist for information about Tazorac Cream that is written for health professionals.
How should I store Tazorac?
- Store Tazorac Cream at room temperature between 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C).
- Keep Tazorac Cream and all medicines out of the reach of children.
What are the ingredients in Tazorac?
Active ingredient: tazarotene
Inactive ingredients: benzyl alcohol 1%, carbomer 1342, carbomer homopolymer type B, edetate disodium, medium chain triglycerides, mineral oil, purified water, sodium hydroxide, sodium thiosulfate, and sorbitan monooleate
For more information call 1-800-678-1605 or go to WWW.TAZORAC.COM.
