Tazorac Cream (Tazarotene)

 

How does this medication work? What will it do for me?

Tazorac belongs to a set of medications called retinoids. It is used to treat plaque psoriasis and acne vulgaris. The cream form is as well used to treat the signs and symptoms (appearance and texture) of premature aging of the skin caused by overexposure to the sun (photo damage).

tazorac cream assists psoriasis by reducing inflammation and keeping skin cell growth down to a normal rate. It appears to help acne partly by keeping skin pores clear. You will start on to see improvement about 1 to 4 weeks after starting the medication, depending on what you are using it for.

Your doctor may have advised this medication for conditions other than the ones listed in these drug information articles. As well, a number of forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here. If you have not conversed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are being given this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop using this medication with no consulting your doctor.

Do not give this medication to anybody else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be dangerous for people to use this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.

How should I use this medication?

For psoriasis, apply a lean film of tazorac cream or gel once daily in the evening to the affected areas. The skin should be dry before applying the medication. If emollient or moisturizing creams are as well being used, apply these first and allow them to absorb into the skin before applying the tazarotene cream or gel.

For acne, gently cleanse and dry the skin. Apply a lean film of cream or gel to the entire face (everything between the hairline, jawline, and ears) once a day in the evening.

For photodamage, remove makeup before applying the cream. Apply a pea-sized quantity of cream to the entire face, including a careful application to the eyelids if desired. Take special concern to minimize contact with the eyes, lips, and mucous-producing areas. Make sure the skin is dry before application. If you apply a moisturizer previous to this medication, allow it to absorb into the skin before applying the tazarotene cream.

This medication may cause enhanced sensitivity of the skin to sunlight. Sunscreen (minimum SPF 15) and defend clothing should be used when the skin is exposed to sunlight. Keep away from getting the medication in your eyes, and do not take the medication by mouth. Do not coat the treatment areas with dressings or bandages. Do not apply to skin that is broken or severely inflamed.

Many things can concern the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has advised a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are using the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is most important to use this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose of this medication, do not relate the missed dose but return to your regular schedule as soon as possible. Do not apply a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for counsel.

Store this medication at room warmth and keep it out of reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to order of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

What form(s) does this medication come in?

Cream

Each g of white to slightly off-white emollient cream contains tazarotene 0.05% (w/w). Nonmedicinal ingredients: benzyl alcohol (preservative), Carbomer 934P, Carbomer 1342, edetate disodium, medium chain triglycerides, mineral oil, purified water, sodium thiosulfate, sodium hydroxide (to adjust the pH), and sorbitan monooleate.

Gel

Each g of colorless to light yellow, translucent homogeneous gel contains tazarotene 0.05% (w/w). Nonmedicinal ingredients: such as ascorbic acid, benzyl alcohol, butylated hydroxyanisole, butylated hydroxytoluene, carbomer 934P, edetate disodium, hexylene glycol, poloxamer 407, polyethylene glycol, polysorbate 40, purified water, and tromethamine.

Some medications may have other generic brands available. Always inquire your doctor or pharmacist about the safety of switching between brands of the same medication.

Who should NOT take this medication?

Tazarotene cream should not be used by anyone who:

• is allergic to tazarotene or to some of the ingredients of this medication
• is allergic to retinoids (e.g., isotretinoin, tretinoin)
• has seborrheic dermatitis

What side effects are possible with this medication?

Many medications can cause side effects.

A side effect is an unnecessary response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side results can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent. The side effects listed under are not experienced by everyone who takes this medication.

If you are some concerned in relation to side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.

The following side effects which have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. Many of these side effects can be handled, and some may go away on their own over time.

Ask your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be capable to advise you on managing side effects.

The following side results may go away as your body becomes used to the medicine; check with your doctor if they continue or become bothersome.

• burning or stinging after application
• dryness, itching, peeling, or redness of the skin (mild)
• skin

Ask with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• bleeding
• burning or stinging of the skin (severe)
• changes in colour of treated skin
• deep grooves or lines in skin
• dryness, longing, peeling, or redness of the skin (severe)
• pain or swelling of treated skin
• skin rash (for people with psoriasis only)

Some people may knowledge side effects other than those listed.

Ask with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication.

Are there any added precautions or warnings for this medication?

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may results how you should use this medication.

Eczema:

Retinoids can cause severe irritation of eczema. If you have eczema, your doctor will guide your while you are using tazarotene.

Exposure to sunlight:

This medication can make the skin more responsive to sunlight. Make sure you use sunscreen (minimum SPF 15) and defensive clothing when exposed to sunlight. People with sunburn must not use tazarotene until they have fully recovered.

Pregnancy:

It is advised that pregnant women do not use tazarotene. Women who may turn out to be pregnant should use an effective method of birth control while using this medication. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding:

It is not known if tazarotene bypasses into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking this medication, it may result to your baby. Talk to your doctor concerning whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children:

The protection and effectiveness of using this medication have not been established for children less than 12 years of age.

What other drugs could interact with this medication?

There may be an contact between tazarotene and any of the following:

• medications that increase the skin’s sensitivity to sunlight (e.g., hydrochlorothiazide, tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, perphenazine, sulfamethoxazole)
• other skin products with tough drying effects or high amounts of alcohol, astringents, spices, lime peel, medicated soaps or shampoos, permanent wave solution, electrolysis, hair depilatories, or waxes
• other topical (skin-applied) medications

If you are taking some of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.

Depending on your exact circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• alter how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interface between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them.

Ask to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Clindoxyl gel

is a mixture of 1 percent clindamycin phosphate and 5 percent benzoyl peroxide. Clindamycin phosphate and benzoyl peroxide are the top topical acne management medications, and Clindoxyl gel combines them to increase the treatment efficacy. It treats moderate forms of acne vulgaris (inflammatory acne) that present with comedones and papulopustules. Clindoxyl falls under the medication category of antibiotics. Since acne vulgaris is bacteria trapped under the skin, this antibiotic gel is very successful at treating acne vulgaris. It is a prescription medication available only through a doctor.

Side Effects

The most common side effects of Clindoxyl gel are pruritus, dryness and erythma of the skin. Rarely, worsening of acne is possible as well as paresthesia. Even the common Clindoxyl side effects do not usually occur when the patient uses the product as prescribed.

Features

Use the product on clean, dry skin to minimize the chances of side effects occurring. The first few days of using Clindoxyl gel, wash the product off the face a few minutes after applying it to reduce irritation. If skin becomes irritated, reduce the frequency of application to every other day. For those with sensitive skin, minimize side effects by applying less of the product. If also using a retinoid treatment, patients should apply the retinoid and Clindoxyl at opposite times of the day to receive the full benefits of each.

Considerations

There are some types of acne that Clindoxyl does not work well on. These include cystic acne and acne that is purely comedones. These patients require a different treatment for successful elimination of acne.

Benefits

Clindoxyl gel is more effective than clindamycin phosphate or benzoyl peroxide when used alone. Because of the low risk of side effects, for many patients Clindoxyl gel is a better treatment choice than oral medication. Clindoxyl gel is a cost-effective treatment, and most insurance plans cover this medication.

Dosage

Most doctors recommend once-daily application of Clindoxyl gel to the affected area. Apply a layer of Clindoxyl over the whole area of acne-prone skin. Clindoxyl gel is not just for spot treatment of blemishes.

Warning

People who previously had a reaction to any product containing clindamycin, benzoyl peroxide, lincomycin or any other ingredient included in Clindoxyl should not use this medication because of the risk of severe side effects. Other health problems that contraindicate the use of Clindoxyl gel are regional enteritis, antibiotic associated colitis and ulcerative colitis.