The safety and efficacy of tazarotene gel, a topical acetylenic retinoid, in the treatment of psoriasis.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the safety and efficacy of topically applied tazarotene gel in the treatment of mild to moderate psoriatic plaques.


METHODS
Two multicenter, double-blind, randomized studies of 6- and 8-week duration, with an 8-week follow-up in the second study.


METHODS
Medical center outpatient dermatology services.


METHODS
One hundred fifty-three adults with 2 bilateral target plaques on the trunk, legs, or arms.


METHODS
Vehicle gel or 0.01% and 0.05% tazarotene gel administered twice daily to 45 patients (study A), or 0.05% and 0.1% tazarotene gel administered either once or twice daily to 108 patients (study B).


METHODS
Treatment success and plaque elevation, scaling, and erythema vs time.


RESULTS
The 0.01% tazarotene gel showed minimal efficacy. Applications of 0.05% and 0.1% tazarotene gels administered once or twice daily, resulted in significant improvements in plaque elevation, scaling, erythema, and overall clinical severity as early as 1 week. Treatment success rates (defined as > 75% improvement from baseline) were 45% with 0.05% tazarotene gel vs 13% with vehicle gel after 6 weeks of treatment (P < .05; study A) and ranged from 48% to 63% with the various tazarotene treatment regimens after 8 weeks of treatment (study B). These improvements were evident at the 8-week follow-up. Treatment-related adverse effects were generally limited to mild or moderate local irritation and were less frequent with the treatment regimen administered once daily.


CONCLUSIONS
The 0.05% and 0.1% tazarotene gels demonstrated significant efficacy in the treatment of mild to moderate psoriatic plaques that persisted after cessation of treatment.
Krueger
G G
GG
Department of Dermatology, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, USA.
Drake
L A
LA
Elias
P M
PM
Lowe
N J
NJ
Guzzo
C
C
Weinstein
G D
GD
Lew-Kaya
D A
DA
Lue
J C
JC
Sefton
J
J
Chandraratna
R A
RA
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000328:Adult; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D003875:Drug Eruptions / Q000209:etiology; D004890:Erythema / Q000139:chemically induced; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005782:Gels; D006801:Humans; D009539:Nicotinic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014677:Pharmaceutical Vehicles; D011537:Pruritus / Q000139:chemically induced; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D012176:Retinoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012449:Safety; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D005782:Gels; D009539:Nicotinic Acids; D014677:Pharmaceutical Vehicles; D012176:Retinoids; C086827:tazarotene