Tazret Forte (Tazarotene 0.1%)

Tazret Forte general information

What is Tazret Forte used for?

Tazret Forte cream 0.1% is a used as a topical treatment for plaque psoriasis, which is common non-allergic, chronic skin condition that is thought to be an autoimmune disorder (when the immune system attacks self), and affects people of any age, usually who have a genetic predisposition.  A psoriatic plaque is characterised by red raised patches of thickened skin covered in a dry silvery scaly rash usually on the skin of the scalp, elbows, knees and lower back, but any area of skin can be affected.  Symptoms of psoriasis include itching, lichenification (thickened leathery skin due to scratching and rubbing), and cracked skin.  Tazret Forte cream 0.1% is also used as a topical treatment of acne vulgaris to prevent the formation and spread of papules (pimples), pustules (pus filled spots) and comedones (blackheads and whiteheads that form in hair follicles).  Acne forms when over stimulation of the sebaceous glands (oil producing glands in hair follicles) causes pores to become clogged with dead skin and eventually become blocked by excess keratinized (hardened) epithelial skin cell, which can become infected and inflamed.  Tazret Forte cream 0.1% helps relieve symptoms of plaque psoriasis; also heal acne lesions and help reduce formation of new acne lesions.

How does Tazret Forte work?

Tazret Forte cream 0.1% contains tazarotene is a topical acetylenic retinoid and a pro-drug of tazarotenic acid, that is used to treat plaque psoriasis and acne vulgaris.  Tazarotene in Tazret Forte cream 0.1% is converted to its active form tazarotenic acid, a receptor-selective retinoid that works by binding to the RAR family of retinoid nuclear receptors, which regulates gene expression and modulates cell proliferation and differentiation.  The pathology of both plaque psoriasis and acne vulgaris is characterised by hyperplasia (excess proliferation) of keratinocytes (skin cells), abnormal differentiation of keratinocytes, and inflammation.  Tazarotene in Tazret Forte cream 0.1% reduces keratinocyte proliferation, which reverses hyperplasia, normalises keratinocyte differentiation, which restores normal skin cell morphology and behaviour, and decreases production of inflammatory mediators, which blocks the inflammatory response.  Tazarotene in Tazret Forte cream 0.1% reverses the abnormal changes in keratinocyte behaviour and the inflammatory response that occurs in psoriasis due to the infiltrated immune cells, restoring normal cell growth and behaviour to the epidermal skin cells. This reduces the scaling and thickening of the psoriatic plaque and relieves symptoms of psoriasis.  Tazarotene in Tazret Forte cream 0.1% heals acne lesions by blocking the hardening processes of the outer skin layer (keratinisation and cornification) and increasing the shedding of old hardened skin cells, while at the same time promoting growth of new skin cells.  The overall effect is to increase skin cell turnover and help the natural exfoliation process of the outer skin layer, which helps unblock pores and prevents pores becoming clogged, infected and inflamed, reducing the outbreak of new pimples, whitehead and blackheads (comedones) as well as clearing up existing blemishes.

What does Tazret Forte contain?

Tazret Forte cream contains the active ingredient tazarotene 0.1% (1mg/gm), a topical retinoid used to treat psoriasis and acne.

Treating psoriasis with Tazret Forte

Tazret Forte cream contains tazarotene 0.1%, a topical retinoid used to treat plaque psoriasis which is common non-allergic, chronic skin condition that is thought to be an autoimmune disorder (when the immune system attacks self), and affects people of any age, usually who have a genetic predisposition.  Symptoms of psoriasis include itching, lichenification (thickened leathery skin due to scratching and rubbing), and cracked skin.  Psoriasis is characterised by red raised patches of thickened skin covered in a dry silvery scaly rash usually on the skin of the scalp, elbows, knees and lower back, but any area of skin can be affected.  Psoriatic plaque is caused by excess proliferation and abnormal differentiation of the keratinocytes of the epidermis (upper skin layer); also by infiltration of immune cells, which produce inflammatory mediators or cytokines that contribute to this abnormal behaviour as well as causing inflammation.  Tazarotene in Tazret Forte cream 0.1% is converted to its active form tazarotenic acid, a receptor-selective retinoid that works by binding to the RAR family of retinoid nuclear receptors, which regulates gene expression and modulates cell proliferation and differentiation.  This action of Tazarotene in Tazret Forte cream 0.1% reverses the abnormal changes in keratinocyte behaviour (differentiation and proliferation) restoring normal cell growth and behaviour to the epidermal skin cells, reducing the scaling and thickening of the psoriatic plaques and relieving symptoms of psoriasis.  Tazret Forte cream 0.1% also dampens down the inflammatory response that occurs in psoriasis due to the infiltrated immune cells, that contributes to the pathogenesis of psoriasis. 

Tazret Forte for acne

Tazret Forte cream contains tazarotene 0.1%, a topical retinoid used to treat acne vulgaris to prevent the formation and spread of papules (pimples), pustules (pus filled spots) and comedones (blackheads and whiteheads that form in hair follicles).  Acne is often associated with puberty, when a surge of androgen hormones can over stimulate the sebaceous glands (oil producing glands in hair follicles).  Pores become clogged with dead skin and are eventually blocked due to excess proliferation of keratinocytes (skin cells) and excess keratinisation (hardening) of epithelial skin cells, so that the pores can become infected and inflamed.  Tazarotene in Tazret Forte cream 0.1% is converted to its active form tazarotenic acid, a receptor-selective retinoid that works by binding to the RAR family of retinoid nuclear receptors, which regulates gene expression and modulates cell proliferation and differentiation.  Tazarotene in Tazret Forte cream 0.1% controls the excess proliferation and abnormal keratinisation of skin cells that occurs to form an acne lesion, which has a comedolytic effect (destroys existing comedomes in hair follicles) and helps prevent formation of new comedomes.  This action of tazarotene in Tazret Forte cream 0.1% helps unblock pores and prevents pores becoming clogged, infected and inflamed, allowing acne lesions to heal and reducing the formation of new acne lesions.  Tazret Forte cream 0.1% may contribute to the reduction of the inflammatory response in inflammatory acne. 

What are the side effects of Tazret Forte?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Tazret Forte cream 0.1% include itching, irritation, burning or stinging sensation, redness, peeling, blistering, or dryness of the skin where applied to the skin.

When should Tazret Forte not be used?

You should not use Tazret Forte cream 0.1% if you:

• are allergic to tazarotene or any ingredients in Tazret Forte
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding
• have acute eczema, as Tazret Forte can cause severe irritation on eczematous skin
• are using any topical skin peeling medication or cosmetics that have a strong drying effect
• are exposed to sunlight for prolonged periods, if unavoidable use a sunscreen and protective clothing over treated areas to protect the skin.
• are taking photosensitising medications that interact with Tazret Forte such as thiazides, tetracyclines, fluoroquinolones, phenothiazines, sulfonamides

How should Tazret Forte be used?

You should apply your Tazret Forte cream 0.1% to the affected area of the skin once daily in the evening before going to bed.  Clean the skin with a mild soap or soap-free cleanser, rinse with water then apply a small amount with clean fingers and rub gently into the skin.  Do not use large amounts or apply more often than directed, as your skin will not clear up faster, instead you may increase the chance for side effects like skin irritation.  Avoid contact with the eyes, eyelids, inside of the nose and mouth, which are easily irritated areas, or other areas where treatment is not intended.  Do not apply to severely inflamed skin or to open lesions.  Avoid excess sun exposure and use of oil-based makeups and creams or abrasive cosmetic products.  You should continue to use Tazret Forte cream 0.1% for as long as is recommended, which is usually 8-12 weeks depending on your doctor’s recommendation. 

How long should you take Tazret Forte?

You should continue to use Tazret Forte cream 0.1% for as long as is recommended, which is usually 8-12 weeks depending on your doctor’s recommendation. 

Missed dose of Tazret Forte

If you miss a dose of Tazret Forte cream 0.1% apply it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to apply the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not apply a double dose.

How should Tazret Forte be stored?

You should store your Tazret Forte cream 0.1% below 25°C in a cool dry place, and once opened, discard after 12 months