Acne is a really annoying thing, isn't it? Especially when you are young, acne on your face can be very embarrassing and embarrassing. Sometimes, these acne can also cause pain. You may have gotten tired of using all the different types of creams and soaps available in the market. So, at a time like this, your doctor may tell you to use a medicine called ' Tazarotene '. This is not like a regular cream, but a slightly stronger medicine. Therefore, it is very important to know exactly how to use it and what to be careful about. Today, we will talk about this medicine in simple terms.
Simply put, what is Tazarotene?
Tazarotene is a medication used to treat acne. It usually comes in the form of a lotion. It belongs to a class of drugs called retinoids . You may have heard of vitamin A. Retinoids are compounds made from vitamin A that are specially formulated to be beneficial for the skin.
Simply put, this medication works by controlling the rate at which your skin cells grow and the process by which they die and are shed. A major cause of acne is when dead skin cells and oil (sebum) clog your pores. Tazarotene stops these pores from clogging. It also helps reduce the swelling and redness caused by acne.
This medicine can be found in Sri Lanka under brand names like ARAZLO. But remember, this is not a medicine that you can buy from a pharmacy and use yourself without a doctor's prescription.
Things you need to tell your doctor before using this medicine
It is important for your doctor to have a complete picture of your health before prescribing this medication. Therefore, if any of the following apply to you, be sure to tell your doctor.
- If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding: This is the most important and important thing to tell your doctor. Tazarotene is a medication that can cause serious birth defects in an unborn baby. So it is important to tell your doctor about this.
- If your skin is very sensitive to the sun (Sensitivity to the sun): Some people's skin quickly turns red and burns even after a little exposure to the sun. If this is your case, tell us about it. This condition may worsen when using this medicine.
- For you or someone in your familyIf you have skin cancer: If you have a history of this, it is important to inform your doctor.
- If you have other skin conditions or skin sensitivities: If you have other skin conditions, such as eczema , tell us about it.
- If you have an allergy to tazarotene, vitamin A, or any other medicine, food, or dye: It is very important to tell your doctor if you have had an allergy to anything in the past.
It is very important for your own safety to talk to the doctor without hiding these things.
How to use the medicine correctly?
To get the best results, you must use this medicine as directed.
1. Apply to the skin only: First of all, remember that this is not a medicine to take by mouth. It is only meant to be applied to the skin. Avoid getting it in areas like the eyes, mouth, or inside the nose.
2. Cleanse and dry skin: Before applying the medication, wash the acne - prone area with a mild soap or face wash, pat dry with a clean towel, and let it dry completely. Do not apply to wet skin.
3. Don't apply too much: This is a mistake that many people make. A pea-sized amount is enough for the entire face. Applying too much will not make your skin heal faster, it will only make it more inflamed, red, and dry. Apply a thin layer to cover the acne-prone areas.
4. Wash your hands thoroughly: After applying the medicine, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly with soap.
5. Other cosmetics: If you are using other medications on your skin, do not apply both at the same time. Ask your doctor about this and use them at different times, such as one in the morning and the other at night.
Important: Doctors usually recommend using this medicine once a day, preferably at night.
If used for children...
This medicine is sometimes recommended for children over the age of 9. But it should be done very carefully and under medical advice.
What if you use too much by mistake?
If you accidentally apply too much of this medicine to your skin, or if someone drinks it, go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital .
Other things that may interact with this medicine (Interactions)
This medicine may interact with other medicines, creams, and vitamins you are taking. Therefore, tell your doctor about all the medicines you are taking (including vitamins and herbal remedies). Be especially careful about the following.
| Things that can collide | The reason and what to know |
|---|---|
| Other cosmetics that dry the skin For example: things containing benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. | Both of these types dry out the skin, so using them together can cause more dryness, irritation, and peeling . Seek your doctor's advice. |
| Medications that make the skin sensitive to the sun For example: Some antibiotics (Tetracycline, Quinolone antibiotics), Thiazide diuretics, Sulfa medications, etc. | Both tazarotene and these medications make the skin sensitive to the sun, so the risk of sunburn is much higher when both are used together. |
| Vitamin A supplements | Since tazarotene is also a form of vitamin A, taking vitamin A pills in addition to it can cause an excess of vitamin A in the body, causing side effects. |
Things to be especially careful about when using the medicine
- Pregnancy: As we mentioned earlier, this is very important. If you are trying to get pregnant, or if you even suspect you are pregnant, do not use this medication. It can cause serious birth defects in your baby. Talk to your doctor about avoiding pregnancy while you are taking the medication and for a while after you stop taking it.
- Protect yourself from the sun:When using this medicine, your skin becomes very sensitive to sunlight. This means that even a short exposure to the sun can quickly cause your skin to turn red and burn. Therefore,
- Avoid going out in the strong sun between 10 am and 4 pm as much as possible.
- If you absolutely must go out, apply a good sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) .
- Put on a hat and wear long-sleeved clothes.
- Do not use sun lamps or tanning beds.
- Other things that dry out your skin: Avoid using things like toners with high alcohol content, some soaps, spices, and lime peels on your skin. These can increase skin inflammation. Be very careful when using hair removers and waxing.
- Do not let it get into your eyes: If you accidentally get the medicine in your eyes, immediately rinse thoroughly with clean water.
Side effects that may occur due to medication
Like any medicine, Tazarotene can cause side effects in some people. But don't worry, most of the time these are not serious.
| Side effect | What to do? |
|---|---|
| Things to report to your doctor immediately | |
| Allergic reactions For example: skin rash, itching, swelling of the face/lips/tongue, difficulty breathing. | These are serious conditions. Stop taking the medicine immediately and see your doctor or go to the nearest hospital. |
| Severe skin inflammation, itching, peeling If the areas where the medicine was applied become unbearably red and feel like they are burning. | Stop using the medicine for a few days and talk to your doctor. |
| Things that are common, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Mild dryness, redness, and minor inflammation of the skin | These usually occur in the first few weeks of using the medication. They often subside as your skin adjusts to the medication. However, if they persist, tell your doctor if they are bothering you. |
| Sun sensitivity | This is an expected side effect. As mentioned earlier, follow the sun protection measures. |
This list does not include all possible side effects. If you experience anything unusual, talk to your doctor about it.
How to store the medicine?
- Keep away from children and pets.
- Store at room temperature (between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius). Protect from extreme heat or extreme cold. Do not freeze the medicine.
- Discard expired medication without using it.
Take-Home Message
- Tazarotene is a powerful medication for acne. It should only be used on the recommendation of a doctor.
- Do not use this medicine if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. This is very important.
- Be sure to protect yourself from the sun while applying the medicine. Use a good sun cream.
- You only need to apply a small amount of the medicine, the size of a pea. Applying too much will not give you quick results.
- It may take a few weeks or a month or two to see results, so be patient and continue using it.
- If you experience a severe allergic reaction or unbearable skin irritation, see a doctor immediately.
👩🏽⚕️ Additional questions (FAQs)
💬 What is Tazarotene cream used for?
Tazarotene is a good cream that doctors prescribe to quickly reduce acne and treat skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis.
💬 How does this cream work on the face?
Usually, this cream should be applied at night after washing your face thoroughly before going to bed. Apply it only to the areas where you have acne. Remember to wash your face in the morning and apply sunscreen.
💬 Is it normal for the skin to feel like it's burning when applying tazarotene?
Yes, the skin may feel a little red, dry, and a little burning for the first few days when you apply this cream. But if it's too much to bear, definitely stop using it.


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