tazarotene
Brand names: Tazorac
Tazorac Cream contains tazarotene, a retinoid medicine. It is used on the skin to treat plaque psoriasis and acne.
Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Generic Price
$10.35/unit
Generic Available
Yes (7 manufacturers)
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
Tazorac Cream is used to treat plaque psoriasis.
Common side effects
Itching, Skin redness, Burning
Key warnings
Tazorac Cream can cause birth defects.
How It Works
Tazarotene is a retinoid, which is similar to vitamin A. It helps skin cells grow normally. This reduces skin inflammation and clears up acne.
How to Take It
Apply a thin layer of Tazorac Cream to the affected area once a day in the evening. For psoriasis, start with the 0.05% cream. Your doctor may increase the strength to 0.1% if needed. Make sure your skin is dry before applying the cream. Wash your hands after applying the cream.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Do not use Tazorac Cream if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It can harm your unborn baby. It is not known if Tazorac Cream passes into breast milk. Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, apply it as soon as you remember that same evening. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule.
Storage
Store Tazorac Cream at room temperature, between 68°F to 77°F.
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 662 FDA adverse event reports.
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 1,132 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2004–2025.
Total Reports
1,132
Death-Related Reports
15
Hospitalization Reports
159
Top Indication
Product Used For Unknown Indication
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | DRUG INEFFECTIVE | 102 |
| 2 | ERYTHEMA | 82 |
| 3 | OFF LABEL USE | 74 |
| 4 | SKIN EXFOLIATION | 74 |
| 5 | PAIN | 64 |
| 6 | PRURITUS | 62 |
| 7 | RASH | 62 |
| 8 | HEADACHE | 55 |
| 9 | APPLICATION SITE ERYTHEMA | 45 |
| 10 | ACNE | 42 |
| 11 | PSORIASIS | 40 |
| 12 | APPLICATION SITE PAIN | 38 |
| 13 | DRY SKIN | 38 |
| 14 | DIARRHOEA | 32 |
| 15 | FATIGUE | 32 |
Reactions in Death Reports
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation
Serious Warnings
Tazorac Cream can cause birth defects. If you are pregnant or may become pregnant, you should not use Tazorac Cream. You should have a negative pregnancy test within 2 weeks before starting this medicine. Use effective birth control while using this medicine. Avoid sunlight and wear sunscreen, as Tazorac Cream can make you more sensitive to the sun.
Known Drug Interactions
In a trial of 27 healthy female subjects between the ages of 20–55 years receiving a combination oral contraceptive tablet containing 1 mg norethindrone and 35 mcg ethinyl estradiol, concomitant use of tazarotene administered as 1.1 mg orally (mean ± SD C max and AUC 0-24 of tazarotenic acid were 28.9 ± 9.4 ng/mL and 120.6 ± 28.5 ng • hr/mL) did not affect the pharmacokinetics of norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol over a complete cycle.
Mechanism: Clinical studies show that tazarotene does not change the levels of estradiol in your body.
What to do: You can take these medications together without any special changes to your routine.
In a trial of 27 healthy female subjects between the ages of 20–55 years receiving a combination oral contraceptive tablet containing 1 mg norethindrone and 35 mcg ethinyl estradiol, concomitant use of tazarotene administered as 1.1 mg orally (mean ± SD C max and AUC 0-24 of tazarotenic acid were 28.9 ± 9.4 ng/mL and 120.6 ± 28.5 ng • hr/mL) did not affect the pharmacokinetics of norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol over a complete cycle.
Mechanism: Tazarotene does not interfere with how your body processes norethindrone.
What to do: No special precautions are needed when using these two drugs at the same time.
Common Questions
Can I use Tazorac Cream if I am pregnant?
How often should I apply Tazorac Cream?
What should I do if I get Tazorac Cream in my eyes?
Can I use Tazorac Cream on broken or irritated skin?
What should I do if my skin becomes too irritated?
Do I need to use sunscreen while using Tazorac Cream?
Can I use other acne or psoriasis treatments with Tazorac Cream?
How long does it take to see results with Tazorac Cream?
What should I do if I accidentally swallow Tazorac Cream?
Can I use Tazorac Cream if I am breastfeeding?
What are the common side effects of tazarotene?
Does tazarotene interact with other medications?
What drug class is tazarotene?
Is tazarotene safe during pregnancy?
Related Medications in Retinoid (Topical)
Other drugs grouped near tazarotene — same-class peers and common alternatives.
adapalene
Differin
Adapalene and benzoyl peroxide gel is a medicine used on the skin to treat acne.
Compare with tazarotene →
apremilast
Otezla
Apremilast (Otezla/Otezla XR) is a medicine that can help adults and children manage psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis.
Compare with tazarotene →
azelaic acid
Finacea, Azelex
Azelaic acid gel is a topical medicine that helps treat rosacea.
Compare with tazarotene →
benzoyl peroxide
Benzac, PanOxyl
Benzoyl peroxide is a topical medicine that fights germs on your skin.
Compare with tazarotene →
betamethasone
Diprosone, Luxiq
Betamethasone dipropionate cream is a strong steroid medicine used on the skin.
Compare with tazarotene →
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What the FDA Data Shows for tazarotene
The FDA label for tazarotene (sold under brand names such as Tazorac) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Retinoid (Topical) class. Tazorac Cream is used to treat plaque psoriasis. Official labeling lists 5 commonly reported side effects, including Itching, Skin redness, Burning.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 662 voluntary reports. The database also lists 2 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated minor severity. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $10.35.
Report counts do not establish causation — a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: November 13, 2025
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book — approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed — NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) — post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm — standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files — federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database — current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages