Topical Tazorac cream is a type of prescription medication used to treat acne and psoriasis. A brand name version of the drug tazarotene, Tazorac causes side effects in some users.
Side Effects
The most common side effects of Tazorac cream include burning, stinging, dryness, itching, redness and peeling.
Features
Side effects of Tazorac cream occur in as many as 23 percent of patients with psoriasis and 30 percent of patients with acne, according to FDA clinical trials published on RxList. In most cases, the side effects are mild and pose no long-lasting health complications.
TIme Frame
Side effects from Tazorac cream typically develop when you first begin using the medication and diminish as your body becomes acclimated to the effects of the drug, reports the Mayo Clinic.
Warning
Tazorac cream has the potential to cause miscarriages or fetal abnormalities. Because of this, doctors avoid prescribing the medication for pregnant women and encourage women of child-bearing age who are using the cream to use birth control.
Risks
Tazorac has the potential to cause increased skin sensitivity to the sun, which poses a risk for severe sun burns, warns the Mayo Clinic. Avoid tanning and use sunscreen while taking Tazorac.
Considerations
Children under the age of 18 should not take Tazorac for rosacea, and doctors do not prescribe the drug for the treatment of acne in children under 12. If you have a history of eczema, it may not be safe for you to use topical Tazorac cream, cautions the Mayo Clinic.
