Two medicines, side by side
Tazarotene vs tretinoin
Tazarotene and tretinoin are both labeled for acne. Drugs@FDA records approvals of tazarotene since 1997 and of tretinoin since 1971. Pharmacies paid $6.11 per gram (Tazarotene 0.1% gel) and $0.506 per gram (Tretinoin 0.025% cream) (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 tretinoin FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 17, 2024).
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 tretinoin record
Tretinoin (Retin-A) · label of May 17, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationsRETIN-A is indicated for topical application in the treatment of acne vulgaris. The safety and efficacy of the long-term use of this product in the treatment of other disorders have not been established.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- October 20, 1971
- Generic labelers
- 23 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.506 per gram
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 2
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Tazarotene label of November 13, 2025, Tretinoin label of May 17, 2024); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do tazarotene and tretinoin differ on the record?
Both are in FDA's class retinoids.
Generics: tazarotene since 2017; tretinoin since 1998 (Drugs@FDA).
| Tazarotene | Tretinoin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Psoriasis, Acne | Acne |
| Pharmacologic class | Retinoid | Retinoid |
| 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 | October 20, 1971 |
| First generic approved | April 3, 2017 | June 19, 1998 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 7 labelers | 23 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $6.11 per gram (Tazarotene 0.1% gel) | $0.506 per gram (Tretinoin 0.025% cream) |
| 12-month price change | -26% | -49% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 1 | 2 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 1,167 | 8,069 |
| 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)
What next?
- Alternatives to tazarotene
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions