Tazorac

 
Generic Name: tazarotene topical

Brands: Avage, Tazorac

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What is the most important information I should know about Tazorac?

· Do not use Tazorac if you are pregnant or if you could become pregnant. Tazorac is in the FDA pregnancy category X. This means that Tazorac is known to cause birth defects in an unborn baby. You must take a pregnancy test and have negative results within two weeks before starting treatment with Tazorac and treatment should be started during a menstrual period. Brith control must be used during treatment. If you become pregnant, stop using birth control, or miss your menstrual period, immediately stop using Tazorac and notify your doctor.

· Avoid exposure to sunlight or artificial UV rays (e.g., sunlamps). Use a sunscreen (minimum SPF 15) and wear protective clothing during the day when being treated with Tazorac.

· Do not use Tazorac on skin that is sunburned, windburned, dry, chapped, or irritated. Also avoid using this medication in wounds or on areas of eczema. Wait until these conditions have fully healed before using Tazorac.

· Avoid as much as possible other topical products with a strong drying effect, products with high concentrations of alcohol, astringents, spices, peel of lime, medicated soaps or shampoos, permanent wave solutions, electrolysis, chemical hair removers or waxes, or other products that might dry or irritate the skin unless instructed otherwise by your doctor.

 

What is Tazorac?

· Tazarotene is a compound similar to vitamin A. It helps the skin to renew itself more quickly and may improve the appearance and texture of skin.

· The Tazorac brand of Tazorac gel and cream are used to treat plaque psoriasis (psoriasis with scaly patches) and to treat facial acne. The Avage brand of tazarotene cream is used to reduce the appearance of fine wrinkles on the face, mottled light and dark skin patches on the face, and benign facial lentigines (noncancerous freckles).

· Tazorac may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

 

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using Tazorac?

· Do not use Tazorac without first talking to your doctor if you     ·are especially sensitive to sunlight;     ·spend a considerable amount of time in the sun;     ·have eczema, sunburn, or another skin condition;     ·are taking vitamin A;     ·lentigo maligna (a type of skin cancer);     ·are using other prescription or over-the-counter medicines on your skin; or     ·are taking any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins and herbal supplements.

· You may not be able to use Tazorac, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

· Do not use Tazorac if you are pregnant or if you could become pregnant. Tazorac is in the FDA pregnancy category X. This means that Tazorac is known to cause birth defects in an unborn baby. You must take a pregnancy test and have negative results within two weeks before starting treatment with Tazorac and treatment should be started during a menstrual period. Brith control must be used during treatment. If you become pregnant, stop using birth control, or miss your menstrual period, immediately stop using Tazorac and notify your doctor.

· It is not known whether Tazorac passes into breast milk. Do not use Tazorac without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

 

How should I use Tazorac?

· Use Tazorac exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

· Wash your hands before and after applying this medication (unless affected areas are on the hands).

· Tazorac is usually applied once daily at bedtime. Follow your doctor's instructions.

· Cleanse the skin with a gentle cleanser and allow it to dry completely (20 to 30 minutes). If a bath or shower is taken prior to application of Tazorac, the skin should be dry before applying the gel or cream. Apply a thin film of Tazorac to the affected skin. Avoid applying the medication to unaffected areas. If medication accidentally gets on areas that do not need treatment, wash it off.

· If a cream or lotion is used to soften or lubricate the skin, it can be applied either before or after application of Tazorac. Allow the first cream or lotion applied to be absorbed into the skin and dry completely before application of the second product.

· Do not apply Tazorac to the eyes, ears, nostrils, mouth, angles of the nose, mucous membranes, open sores, or irritated skin. If you get medication in any of these areas, rinse it off with water.

· Do not use Tazorac on skin that is sunburned, windburned, dry, chapped, or irritated. Also avoid using this medication in wounds or on areas of eczema. Wait until these conditions have fully healed before using Tazorac.

· Do not cover treated areas with dressings or bandages.

· Do not apply Tazorac more often than is directed. Using too much of this medication may cause marked skin redness, peeling, or discomfort and will not lead to more rapid or better results.

· Application of this medication may cause a passing feeling of burning or stinging. If irritation is excessive, stop using Tazorac and contact your doctor.

· Your skin may be more sensitive to weather extremes such as cold and wind during treatment with Tazorac. Protect your skin with clothing and use a moisturizing cream or lotion as needed.

· Apply a sunscreen, SPF 15 or greater, to the skin daily.

· Do not use Tazorac beyond the date printed on the bottom seal of the tube.

· Store Tazorac at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

 

What happens if I miss a dose?

· If you forget or miss a dose, do not try to make it up. Return to your normal application schedule as soon as you can. Do not apply a double dose of Tazorac.

 

What happens if I overdose?

· An overdose of this medication is unlikely to occur. If you do suspect an overdose, or if Tazorac has been ingested, call an emergency room or poison control center for advice.

· Symptoms of excessive topical use of Tazorac include marked redness, peeling or discomfort.

 

What should I avoid while using Tazorac?

· Avoid exposure to sunlight or artificial UV rays (e.g., sunlamps). Use a sunscreen (minimum SPF 15) and wear protective clothing during the day when being treated with Tazorac.

· Your skin may be more sensitive to weather extremes such as cold and wind during treatment with Tazorac. Protect your skin with clothing and use a moisturizing cream or lotion as needed.

· Do not use Tazorac on skin that is sunburned, windburned, dry, chapped, or irritated. Also avoid using this medication in wounds or on areas of eczema. Wait until these conditions have fully healed before using Tazorac.

· Avoid as much as possible other topical products with a strong drying effect, products with high concentrations of alcohol, astringents, spices, peel of lime, medicated soaps or shampoos, permanent wave solutions, electrolysis, chemical hair removers or waxes, or other products that might dry or irritate the skin unless instructed otherwise by your doctor.

 

What are the possible side effects of Tazorac?

· Serious side effects are not likely to occur. Stop using Tazorac and seek emergency medical attention if you experience an allergic reaction (shortness of breath; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, face, or tongue; or hives).

· You may experience some skin burning, warmth, stinging, tingling, itching, redness, swelling, dryness, peeling, or irritation while using Tazorac. If these side effects are excessive, talk to your doctor. You may need a lower dose or less frequent applications of Tazorac.

· Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

 

What other drugs will affect Tazorac?

· Do not use Tazorac without first talking to your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:     ·a thiazide diuretic such as hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, HydroDiuril, Esidrix, Microzide, Oretic), chlorothiazide (Diuril), chlorthalidone (Hygroton, Thalitone), indapamide (Lozol), metolazone (Mykrox, Zaroxolyn), and others;     ·a tetracycline antibiotic such as tetracycline (Sumycin, Panmycin, Robitet, others), minocycline (Dynacin, Minocin, Vectrin), doxycycline (Doryx, Monodox, Vibramycin, Vibra-Tabs), demeclocycline (Declomycin), and others;     ·a fluoroquinolone antibiotic such as lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), sparfloxacin (Zagam), ciprofloxacin (Cipro), ofloxacin (Floxin), and others;     ·a sulfonamide antibiotic such as sulfamethoxazole (Gantanol), sulfisoxazole (Gantrisin), sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (Bactrim, Septra, Cotrim), and others; or     ·a phenothiazine such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), prochlorperazine (Compazine), fluphenazine (Permitil, Prolixin), promethazine (Phenergan, Promethegan), perphenazine (Trilafon), and others.

· The medications listed above may increase the sensitivity of the skin to UV rays from sunlight or artificial light (e.g., sunlamps). Generally, Tazorac should not be used during treatment with any of the medicines listed above.

· Avoid as much as possible other topical products with a strong drying effect, products with high concentrations of alcohol, astringents, spices, peel of lime, medicated soaps or shampoos, permanent wave solutions, electrolysis, chemical hair removers or waxes, or other products that might dry or irritate the skin unless instructed otherwise by your doctor.

· Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Tazorac. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking or using any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins and herbal products.

 

Where can I get more information?

· Your pharmacist has additional information about Tazorac written for health professionals that you may read.

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