What You Should Know About Tazorac Cream
Tazorac is a prescription drug that’s used to treat conditions like acne and plaque psoriasis. It’s part of a group of drugs called retinoids, which are made from vitamin A. Tazorac comes as a cream and gel. The cream is available as a generic medication, but the gel is only available as a brand-name drug.
Your doctor may prescribe tazarotene to treat other conditions, as well. For example, he or she may recommend it to help reduce redness and swelling after a chemical peel. The medication may also be used to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles on the face.
The exact dosage your doctor will prescribe will depend on your medical history, age, and condition. In general, though, doctors prescribe the lowest effective dose to get the job done. Taking more than the recommended amount may increase your chances of side effects.
This medication should be applied to the skin once daily, ideally in the evening. It’s usually applied to clean, dry skin. You should avoid the eyes, mouth, and paranasal creases while applying the medication. If you have a history of sunburn or other forms of skin lightening, use the medication with extreme caution. Patients who have a sun-sensitivity disorder should also use caution with this drug.
Using this medication can cause skin reactions, including itching and burning. If you develop these symptoms, you should stop using the medication and tell your doctor right away. You may need to switch to another type of treatment if the irritation is severe.
You should not use this medication if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. Tazarotene can pass through the skin into breast milk and may harm a baby. If you’re thinking about getting pregnant, talk to your doctor about alternatives for treating your condition.
Before you start taking tazarotene, make sure your doctor knows about all other medications you’re taking. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medications, as well as vitamins and supplements. Doing so can help prevent complications from occurring with the new medication.
The FDA keeps a list of drugs known to interact with tazarotene. You should share this list with your doctor and pharmacist. tazarotene cream
