Usual Adult Dose for Plaque Psoriasis

Initial dose: Apply a thin film of 0.05% gel or cream once a day in the evening to cover only the psoriatic lesions

• Increase to 0.1% if tolerated and medically indicated

Comments:

• Apply to dry skin; if a bath or shower is taken prior to application, allow time for skin to dry before applying; if emollients are used, they should be applied at least 1 hour prior.
• Avoid applying gel or cream on unaffected skin as it may be more susceptible to irritation.
• The safety of gel use on more than 20% body surface area has not been established and is not recommended.

Uses:

• For the topical treatment of plaque psoriasis

Usual Adult Dose for Acne

Apply a thin layer of 0.1% gel/cream/foam once a day in the evening to cover acne lesions

Comments:

• Cleanse the face gently and dry before application.
• Use sunscreen and wear protective clothing while using this drug.

Use: For the topical treatment of acne vulgaris

Usual Adult Dose for Skin Pigmentation Disorder

Apply pea-sized amount once a day at bedtime to lightly cover entire face, including the eyelids, if desired

Comments:

• Remove makeup and after washing face and allow skin to completely dry before applying; emollients/moisturizers may be applied before this cream, however, allow to absorb and completely dry before applying this cream; facial moisturizers may be used as frequently as desired.
• This cream does not eliminate or prevent wrinkles or restore more youthful skin.
• This cream does not reverse photoaging or repair sun damaged skin; it does not mitigate coarse or deep wrinkling, tactile roughness, telangiectasia, skin laxity, keratinocytic atypia, melanocytic atypia, or dermal elastosis.
• The safety and effectiveness for the prevention and treatment of actinic keratoses, skin neoplasms, or lentigo maligna have not been established.

Use: As an adjunctive agent for use in the mitigation (palliation) of facial fine wrinkling, facial, mottled hyper and hypopigmentation and benign facial lentigines in patients who use comprehensive skin care and sunlight avoidance programs.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Acne

Age: 12 years or older:
Apply a thin layer of 0.1% gel/cream/foam once a day in the evening to cover acne lesions

Comments:

• Cleanse the face gently and dry before application.
• Use sunscreen and wear protective clothing while using this drug.

Use: For the topical treatment of acne vulgaris

Usual Pediatric Dose for Plaque Psoriasis

Age: 12 years or older:
Initial dose: Apply a thin film of 0.05% gel or cream once a day in the evening to cover only the psoriatic lesions

• Increase to 0.1% if tolerated and medically indicated

Comments:

• Apply to dry skin; if a bath or shower is taken prior to application, allow time for skin to dry before applying; if emollients are used, they should be applied at least 1 hour prior.
• Avoid applying gel or cream on unaffected skin as it may be more susceptible to irritation.
• The safety of gel use on more than 20% body surface area has not been established and is not recommended.

Uses:

• For the topical treatment of plaque psoriasis

Renal Dose Adjustments

Data not available

Liver Dose Adjustments

Data not available

Precautions

CONTRAINDICATIONS:

• Pregnancy
• Hypersensitivity to any product components

Safety and efficacy have not been established in patients younger than 12 years
Safety and efficacy of Avage(R) cream have not been established in patients younger than 17 years

Consult WARNINGS section for additional precautions.

Dialysis

Data not available

Other Comments

Administration advice:

• For topical use only; not for ophthalmic, oral, or intravaginal use
• Avoid eyes, mouth, lips, and mucous membranes; if contact with mucous membranes occurs, rinse thoroughly with water
• Apply to clean, dry skin; if emollients or moisturizers are applied prior, allow time for skin to absorb and dry completely prior to application of this drug
• Wash hands thoroughly after application
• Patients should use effective sunscreens and protective clothing while using this drug

Foam:

• Shake can before use; hold can at an upright angle and press firmly to dispense
• Dispense a small amount of foam into palm of hand; using fingertips, apply only enough foam to lightly cover the entire affected area of face and/or upper trunk with a thin layer; gently massage foam into skin until it disappears

Storage requirements:
Foam: Store upright, protect from freezing; flammable

General:

• Treatment with lower concentration is associated with lower incidence of local adverse events; however, treatment with higher concentration gives faster and numerically higher response rates.
• Safety of gel use on more than 20% body surface area has not been established.

Monitoring:

• Monitor for excessive skin irritation

Patient advice:

• Patients should be instructed on proper use and need to wash hands thoroughly after application; accidental transfer into eyes, mouth, or other mucous membranes should be avoided, if contact occurs, rinse thoroughly with water.
• Patients should understand that this drug may cause skin irritation and a healthcare provider should be closely monitoring their clinical response and skin tolerance; moisturizers may help and can be used as needed, however, patients should contact their healthcare provider for excessive skin irritation.
• Patients should be instructed to wear effective sunscreen and wear protective clothing during therapy.
• Women of childbearing potential should understand the potential risk to a fetus if they were to become pregnant; effective contraception is advised during pregnancy.

Frequently asked questions

• Is Tazorac better than Retin-A?
• How long should you use Duobrii?
• What happens if you use too much Duobrii?
• What does it do to your skin?
• What are the different brands of tazarotene?
• Can Tazorac and Differin be used together?