Tazarotene is in a class of medications called retinoids and is used to treat acne and reduce facial wrinkling.¹ 

It works to treat acne by slowing skin cell overgrowth and decreasing skin cell inflammation, which can lead to acne or psoriasis. It works to reduce facial wrinkles and discoloration by causing an increase in the thickness of the outer skin layers.²

Tazarotene cream is usually used once a day in the evening. Use tazarotene at around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use tazarotene exactly as directed. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor.³

If you are using tazarotene to treat acne, your symptoms should improve in about four weeks.⁴ It may take up to six months to see improvement in fine lines and wrinkles.⁵

Tazarotene cream is only available with a doctor's prescription.⁶ While you can’t get it over the counter, you can buy it online, if prescribed, through telehealth providers, like RedBox Rx. Start an online consult for acne or anti-aging to see if tazarotene cream is right for you.

At RedBox Rx, tazarotene cream costs $75 for a 30 g tube (45-day supply), $140 for a 60 g tube (90-day supply) and $215 for a 90 g tube (135-day supply), some of the lowest pricing available. Our online consultation for acne or anti-aging costs only $25.

Tazarotene may cause side effects. The following symptoms are likely to affect the skin you are treating with tazarotene. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• Itching.

• Burning.

• Redness.

• Rash.

• Peeling.

• Stinging.

• Pain.

• Dryness.

• Swelling.

• Discoloration.

• Irritation or swelling of the eyelid or eye.

• Chapped or inflamed lips.

• Swelling in arms or legs.

Tazarotene may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.⁷

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Do not freeze.

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill organizers and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org⁸

If someone swallows tazarotene, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.⁹

Keep all appointments with your doctor.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.¹⁰

• Avage®

• Fabior®

• Tazorac®

• Duobrii (as a combination product containinghalobetasol, tazarotene)¹¹

We offer a variety of prescription medication options for anti-aging, including:

• Tretinoin cream (generic Retin-A®)

• Tretinoin gel (generic Retin-A®)

• Adapalene gel (generic Differin®)

• Azelaic acid 15% gel (generic Finacea®)

• Hydroquinone 4% cream (for melasma, dark spots)

We offer a variety of prescription medication options for acne, including:

• Tretinoin cream (generic Retin-A®)

• Tretinoin gel (generic Retin-A®)

• Adapalene gel (generic Differin®)

• Benzoyl peroxide

• Clindamycin phosphate solution (generic Cleocin T®)

• Spironolactone

1. National Library of Medicine

2. National Library of Medicine

3. National Library of Medicine

4. National Library of Medicine

5. National Institutes of Health

6. Mayo Clinic

7. National Library of Medicine

8. National Library of Medicine

9. National Library of Medicine

10. National Library of Medicine

11. National Library of Medicine