Two medicines, side by side
Tazarotene vs benzoyl peroxide
Tazarotene and benzoyl peroxide are both labeled for acne. Drugs@FDA records approvals of tazarotene since 1997 and of benzoyl peroxide since 2022. Pharmacies paid $6.11 per gram (Tazarotene 0.1% gel) and $0.0469 per gram (Benzoyl peroxide 10% wash) (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like.
Check it at the source: the tazarotene FDA label on DailyMed (effective November 13, 2025); the benzoyl peroxide FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 31, 2026).
Highlights of the tazarotene record
Tazarotene (Arazlo) · label of November 13, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsTAZORAC ® Gel, 0.05% and 0.1% is a retinoid indicated for the topical treatment of plaque psoriasis of up to 20% body surface area involvement. ( 1.1 ) TAZORAC Gel, 0.1% is indicated for the topical treatment of mild to moderate facial acne vulgaris. ( 1.2 ) Limitations of Use The safety of TAZORAC Gel use on more than 20% body surface area has not been established. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- June 13, 1997
- Generic labelers
- 7 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $6.11 per gram
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 1
Highlights of the benzoyl peroxide record
Benzoyl peroxide (Epsolay) · label of July 31, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsfor the treatment of acne
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- April 22, 2022
- Generic labelers
- none listed
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0469 per gram
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Tazarotene label of November 13, 2025, Benzoyl peroxide label of July 31, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do tazarotene and benzoyl peroxide differ on the record?
Generics: tazarotene since 2017; benzoyl peroxide none approved (Drugs@FDA).
| Tazarotene | Benzoyl peroxide | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Psoriasis, Acne | Acne |
| Pharmacologic class | Retinoid | n/a |
| How it works (label) | Tazarotene is a retinoid prodrug which is converted to its active form, the carboxylic acid of tazarotene, by deesterification. | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | The half-life of tazarotenic acid was approximately 18 hours, following topical application of tazarotene to normal, acne or psoriatic skin. | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | June 13, 1997 | April 22, 2022 |
| First generic approved | April 3, 2017 | none |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 7 labelers | none listed |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $6.11 per gram (Tazarotene 0.1% gel) | $0.0469 per gram (Benzoyl peroxide 10% wash) |
| 12-month price change | -26% | +5% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 1 | 0 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 1,167 | 6,709 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
Do their labels mention each other?
Tazarotene label, drug interactionsConcomitant use with oxidizing agents, such as benzoyl peroxide, may cause degradation of tazarotene and may reduce the clinical efficacy of tazarotene.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to tazarotene
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions