Precautions

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

It is important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and to decide if you should continue to use it.

Using this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control to keep from getting pregnant. If you think you have become pregnant while using this medicine, tell your doctor right away.

To make sure you are not pregnant when you start using this medicine, you may need to start using it during a normal menstrual period. Also, you must have a negative pregnancy test within 2 weeks before you start using this medicine.

If you are using this medicine to treat acne on the face, your condition may seem to worsen at first before it begins to improve in about 4 weeks. Check with your doctor if your condition does not improve within 8 to 12 weeks.

If you are using this medicine to treat psoriasis, scaly patches on the skin may begin to improve in about 1 to 4 weeks but redness may take longer to improve. Check with your doctor if your condition becomes worse.

Avoid exposing your skin to wind, cold weather, and sunlight, even on cloudy days. Your skin will be more prone to sunburn, dryness, or irritation. Do not use a sunlamp or tanning bed. Use a sunscreen or sunblock lotion with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 on a regular basis. Wear protective clothing and hats and stay out of direct sunlight, especially between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Skin reactions such as dryness, redness, scaling, burning, or stinging can occur when you use this medicine. Use a moisturizer as needed to lessen these skin problems.

It is likely that your skin may become irritated with normal use of this medicine. You should not stop using tazarotene unless your skin becomes too red, dry, puffy, or otherwise irritated. If severe irritation occurs, contact your doctor.

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, you should avoid skin products that can dry or irritate the skin. Some examples are:

  • Any topical acne product or skin product containing a peeling agent (such as benzoyl peroxide).
  • Hair products that are irritating, such as permanents or hair removal products.
  • Skin products that cause sensitivity to the sun, such as those containing spices or limes.
  • Skin products containing a large amount of alcohol, such as astringents, shaving creams, or after-shave lotions.
  • Skin products that are too drying or abrasive, such as some cosmetics, soaps, or skin cleansers.

Ask your doctor before taking vitamin A supplements by mouth while using this medicine.

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Portions of this document last updated: Feb. 01, 2024

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