Tazorac (tazarotene) is a brand-name drug that’s prescribed for plaque psoriasis and acne in adults and some children. Tazorac comes as a topical cream and gel that’s typically applied once per day.

Tazorac cream is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat plaque psoriasis in adults. The cream is also approved to treat acne in adults and children ages 12 years and older.

Tazorac gel is FDA-approved to treat facial acne and plaque psoriasis in certain situations.* It’s approved for these uses in adults and children ages 12 years and older.

Tazorac belongs to a drug class called retinoids. Tazorac is available in a generic version, called tazarotene.

Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Tazorac, including its strengths and how to apply the medication. For a comprehensive look at Tazorac, see this article.

Note: This article describes typical dosages for Tazorac provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When applying Tazorac, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.

* Tazorac gel is prescribed for plaque psoriasis involving no more than 20% of a person’s body surface area (BSA). Your doctor will calculate your BSA using your height and weight.

Below is information about Tazorac’s forms, strengths, and dosage.

Tazorac forms

Tazorac comes as a topical cream and gel you apply to your skin.

Tazorac strengths

Tazorac cream comes in two strengths: 0.05% and 0.1%.

Tazorac gel also comes in two strengths: 0.05% and 0.1%.

Typical dosages

The following information describes dosages that are commonly prescribed or recommended to adults. However, be sure to follow the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Dosage for plaque psoriasis

Doctors may prescribe Tazorac cream to treat plaque psoriasis. They may prescribe Tazorac gel if the condition involves no more than 20% of your BSA. The safety of applying Tazorac gel to more than 20% of a person’s BSA was not studied in the drug’s clinical trials.

If your doctor prescribes Tazorac, you’ll likely start treatment with the 0.05% strength. Typically, you’ll apply a thin layer to the affected area of skin once per day in the evening. But if your doctor prescribes Tazorac gel, they’ll determine how much is safe for you to apply.

If this dosage isn’t working to treat your condition, your doctor may prescribe the 0.1% strength of Tazorac cream or gel.

For more information about your specific dosage, talk with your doctor.

Dosage for acne

Tazorac cream (0.1%) may be prescribed to treat acne, and Tazorac gel (0.1%) may be prescribed to treat facial acne.

Typically, you’ll apply a thin layer to the affected area of skin once per day in the evening.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about your dosage.

Children’s dosage

Tazorac is prescribed to treat the following conditions in children ages 12 years and older.

Children’s dosage for plaque psoriasis

Tazorac gel is approved to treat plaque psoriasis involving no more than 20% of a person’s BSA.

Your child’s doctor will likely start treatment by prescribing 0.05% Tazorac gel. The doctor will determine how much is safe to apply. Your child should apply it as a thin layer to the affected area once per day in the evening. If this dosage isn’t effective, the doctor may prescribe 0.1% Tazorac gel.

Children’s dosage for acne

Tazorac cream (0.1%) is approved to treat acne. Tazorac gel (0.1%) is approved to treat facial acne.

If their doctor prescribes Tazorac, your child will apply a thin layer to the affected area of skin once per day.

Talk with your child’s doctor if you have questions about their dosage.

Long-term treatment

Tazorac is typically prescribed for up to 12 weeks to treat acne and plaque psoriasis. If your condition worsens after stopping Tazorac, talk with your doctor. They’ll let you know whether you can restart treatment. In clinical trials of Tazorac gel, the medication was prescribed for up to 1 year to treat psoriasis.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about how long you can expect to need Tazorac.

Tazorac comes as a topical cream and gel. You apply a thin layer of the cream or gel to the affected areas of your skin, typically at bedtime. Make sure your skin is dry before applying Tazorac. If you use moisturizer, wait at least 1 hour before applying Tazorac.

Avoid getting Tazorac in your eyes, nose, or mouth. If you accidentally get Tazorac in your eyes, rinse them well with water.

If you have questions about how to apply Tazorac, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

ACCESSIBLE DRUG LABELS

Some pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does.

If you forget to apply Tazorac, skip the missed dose and apply the next scheduled dose. If you miss several days, your condition may worsen. If your condition worsens, talk with your doctor for treatment guidance.

To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your bathroom mirror or bedside table. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.

It’s important that you do not apply more Tazorac than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, applying more than the recommended amount may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

Effects of an overdose

Overdose effects of Tazorac affect the skin and include:

If you apply more than the recommended amount of Tazorac

Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve applied too much Tazorac. Another option is to call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency room.

Below are some frequently asked questions about Tazorac.

Is the dosage of Tazorac similar to the dosage of tretinoin?

Yes, the forms and how often you apply each drug are similar. Both Tazorac and tretinoin (Avita, Retin-A, others) come as a topical cream and gel you apply once per day. As with Tazorac, doctors may prescribe tretinoin for acne.

The strength of each drug differs because they have different active ingredients. Your doctor will prescribe the drug and the dosage that’s right for you.

To learn more about how these drugs compare, talk with your doctor.

How long does it take for Tazorac to start working?

Tazorac starts to work after your first dose. But it may take 2 weeks or longer before you experience the full effect of the medication. Your doctor will check in with you during treatment to assess whether the drug is working to treat your condition.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about what to expect with Tazorac treatment.

To learn more about Tazorac for acne, you can read this article.

The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Tazorac for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes.

As with any drug, never change your dosage of Tazorac without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Tazorac that’s best for you, talk with your doctor.

Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Tazorac. These additional articles might be helpful:

  • More about Tazorac: For information about other aspects of Tazorac, refer to this article.
  • Details about your condition: For details about Tazorac’s uses, see our psoriasis and dermatology hubs.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.