Efficacy and safety of topical tazarotene: a review.
BACKGROUND
Tazarotene (Tazorac, Avage, Allergan, Inc., Irvine, CA, USA) is a synthetic retinoic acid receptor- betagamma topical retinoid approved for the treatment of plaque psoriasis and acne vulgaris.


OBJECTIVE
To review a decade of experience using tazarotene as a monotherapy or as combination therapy for approved and other indications: acne, psoriasis, photoaging, basal cell carcinomas and various keratinization disorders.


METHODS
We reviewed the published literature available on PubMed for safety and efficacy of topical tazarotene gel or cream preparations.


CONCLUSIONS
Tazarotene, in both gel and cream formulations, has been used both as monotherapy and as an adjuvant therapy. For psoriasis it has been combined with steroids, calcipotriene and phototherapy, and for acne, with antibiotics. Tazarotene has been shown to upregulate the tumor suppressor, tazarotene induced gene 3, which is overexpressed in psoriasis and skin cancer. Adverse effects are limited to mild to moderate local irritation and erythema as seen with the 'retinization period' of other topical retinoid therapies. Daily application of tazarotene is effective with sustained benefits and limited local side effects.
Talpur
Rakhashandra
R
University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Dermatology, Houston, Texas, USA. rtalpur@mdanderson.org
Cox
Katherine
K
Duvic
Madeleine
M
D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000818:Animals; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D009539:Nicotinic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D018168:Receptors, Retinoic Acid / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D015595:Skin Aging / Q000187:drug effects; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D012176:Retinoids
D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D009539:Nicotinic Acids; D018168:Receptors, Retinoic Acid; C437968:PLAAT4 protein, human; C086827:tazarotene; D012176:Retinoids