Tazarotene cream for the treatment of facial photodamage: a multicenter, investigator-masked, randomized, vehicle-controlled, parallel comparison of 0.01%, 0.025%, 0.05%, and 0.1% tazarotene creams with 0.05% tretinoin emollient cream applied once daily for 24 weeks.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the safety and efficacy of 4 concentrations of tazarotene cream in the treatment of facial photodamage.


METHODS
Prospective weekly multicenter, investigator-masked, randomized, parallel-group study.


METHODS
University hospitals and clinical research centers.


METHODS
Three hundred forty-nine subjects with facial photodamage.


METHODS
Daily topical application of tazarotene cream (0.01%, 0.025%, 0.05%, and 0.1%) compared with its vehicle and with 0.05% tretinoin emollient cream.


RESULTS
Tazarotene cream and tretinoin cream significantly improved mottled hyperpigmentation and fine wrinkles. At week 24, treatment success rates based on global responses were 67% (39 of 58 subjects) with 0.1% tazarotene, 52% (30 of 58 subjects) with 0.05% tazarotene, 36% (21 of 58 subjects) with 0.025% tazarotene, 41% (24 of 59 subjects) with 0.01% tazarotene, 55% (32 of 58 subjects) with 0.05% tretinoin, and 22% (13 of 58 subjects) with vehicle. Local adverse events, although more frequent with tazarotene at higher concentrations, were generally mild to moderate.


CONCLUSIONS
Tazarotene in a cream formulation is safe and is associated with positive changes in the treatment of photodamaged facial skin.
Kang
S
S
Department of Dermatology, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA. swkang@umich.edu
Leyden
J J
JJ
Lowe
N J
NJ
Ortonne
J P
JP
Phillips
T J
TJ
Weinstein
G D
GD
Bhawan
J
J
Lew-Kaya
D A
DA
Matsumoto
R M
RM
Sefton
J
J
Walker
P S
PS
Gibson
J R
JR
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000328:Adult; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005145:Face; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017495:Hyperpigmentation / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D009539:Nicotinic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012176:Retinoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015595:Skin Aging / Q000473:pathology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014212:Tretinoin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014481:United States
D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D009539:Nicotinic Acids; D012176:Retinoids; D014212:Tretinoin; C086827:tazarotene