Tazarotene

Key facts

• Tazarotene is a topical retinoid, applied as a cream, gel, or foam to treat acne and plaque psoriasis.
• You apply a thin layer to clean, dry skin once daily, usually in the evening, and irritation is often worse in the first few weeks.
• Tazarotene is teratogenic, meaning it can cause serious birth defects: do not use it during pregnancy, and use effective contraception if you can become pregnant.
• Seek urgent care for a severe allergic reaction, or for intense burning, blistering, or swelling of treated skin.

What tazarotene treats

Tazarotene treats acne by unclogging pores and reducing the buildup of skin cells that block them. It also treats plaque psoriasis, calming the rapid skin-cell turnover and scaling that cause thickened, red patches. It is not a treatment for eczema or ordinary dry skin.

How tazarotene works

Tazarotene binds to retinoic acid receptors in skin cells, which normalises how quickly they grow, divide, and shed. This unclogs pores in acne and slows the excessive cell turnover that causes psoriasis plaques, while also reducing inflammation in the skin.

Before you take it

• Do not use tazarotene if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or breastfeeding; it is contraindicated because of the risk of birth defects.
• Use reliable contraception while using it if you can become pregnant, and stop it and tell your doctor if you become pregnant.
• Avoid applying it to broken, sunburnt, or eczema-affected skin, and keep it away from the eyes, lips, and inside of the nose.
• Combining it with other strong exfoliants, harsh soaps, or waxing on treated skin increases irritation; sun exposure also increases sensitivity, so use sunscreen.

Side effects

Common effects include redness, dryness, peeling, and a burning or stinging sensation at the application site.

Stop and seek urgent medical care for:

• Severe burning, blistering, or swelling of the skin.
• A severe allergic reaction: hives, facial swelling, or difficulty breathing.
• Signs of skin infection in treated areas, such as spreading redness, warmth, or pus.

Safety essentials

• Tazarotene is teratogenic: pregnancy must be avoided during treatment, and effective contraception is required for anyone who can become pregnant.
• Tell your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while using it, so treatment can be stopped and you can be assessed.
• Limit sun exposure and use sunscreen, since treated skin becomes more sensitive to sunburn.

This page is educational and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist who knows your health history.