What is Avage/Tazarotene used for?

This medicine is used to treat psoriasis. It is also used to treat mild to moderately severe facial acne.

If you have any questions about your medicine, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider. This medicine is only to be used by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not give it to others. This information is advisory only. It does not contain all information about this medicine. If you have any questions about your medicine, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.

How should Avage/Tazarotene be stored?

Store at room temperature in a cool dry place, protect from heat and light. Keep all medicines out of the reach of children and pets.

General drug information:

When should Avage/Tazarotene not be taken?

Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any ingredient in this medicine or to similar medications.

What precautions should I follow when taking Avage/Tazarotene?

Before using this medicine, tell your health care provider about any of the following: if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription medicine if you have any other medical condition like heart disease, lung disease, impairment of kidney or liver functions.

What special warning(s) should I be aware of when taking Avage/Tazarotene?

Avoid excessive use of this medicine. For external use only. Keep this medicine away from eyes, nose, mouth or other mucous membrane surfaces. In the event of accidental exposure, flush with cold

What are the side effects of Avage/Tazarotene?

Most severe: Worsening of psoriasis, pruritus, burning, erythema, skin irritation, skin pain, and pruritus, burning, erythema, skin irritation, skin pain

Most common: Scaling; burning; stinging; dry skin; redness; itching; irritation; cracks in skin; skin pain. Psoriasis only: Irritation; rash; skin inflammation; bleeding. Acne only: Swelling; skin discoloration.

Other: Photosensitivity

How should I take Avage/Tazarotene?

How much medicine you use and how often you use it depends on many factors, including the condition being treated and the age and weight of the patient. If you have any questions about the amount and/or frequency of the medicine you are using, talk with your health care provider. This medicine is for external use only. Do not allow this medicine to come into contact with eyes, eyelids, and mouth. If contact with the eyes occurs, rinse thoroughly with water. This medicine may cause sensitivity to light. Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun or other forms of ultraviolet (UV) light (eg, tanning beds). Use sunscreens and wear protective clothing until tolerance is determined. Patients who are exposed to the sun due to their jobs should take special care. This medicine should be used with caution in patients who are taking medicines, including vitamin A supplements that cause sensitivity to light. Stop using this medicine and contact your doctor if itching, burning, skin redness, peeling, or excessive irritation occurs. Extreme heat, cold, or wind may be more irritating to patients taking this medicine. Women of childbearing potential should use adequate birth control methods while using this medicine. A negative result for pregnancy test should be obtained within 2 weeks before starting this medicine. Women should stop taking this medicine contact their doctor at once if they become pregnant while taking this medicine. Psoriasis: Apply this medicine using a thin film to cover the lesion only. If a bath or shower is taken before applying this medicine, make sure that the skin is dry. Do not allow this medicine to come into contact with unaffected skin. Acne: Gently clean the face. After the skin is dry, apply a thin film of this medicine once a day, in the evening, to the affected skin. Make sure to use enough to cover the entire affected area. Wash your hands after applying this medicine, unless you have psoriasis on your hands. If the medicine accidentally gets on areas you do not need to treat, wash it off. Do not cover the treated area with dressings or bandages. Do not stop taking this medicine without checking with your health care provider. Patients with previous medical conditions should talk with their health care provider before taking this medicine. Do not take more medicine than is prescribed unless advised to do so by your doctor or health care provider. Do not take any other over-the-counter or prescription medications without talking with your health care provider. If a dose is missed, take it as soon as possible. If several hours have passed or if it is nearing time for the next dose, do not double the dose to catch up, unless advised by your doctor. If more than one dose is missed, contact your doctor or pharmacist.