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Data updated: May 26, 2026

TAZORAC (tazarotene)

Immunology Approved 1997-06-13

TAZORAC is indicated for the treatment of Plaque Psoriasis; Acne Vulgaris.

Source: FDA Label • ALMIRALL • Retinoid

How TAZORAC Works

Tazarotene is a retinoid prodrug converted to its active form, tazarotenic acid, through deesterification. Tazarotenic acid binds to all three members of the retinoic acid receptor (RAR) family (RARα, RARβ, and RARɣ) but shows relative selectivity for RARβ and RARɣ, which may modify gene expression. The clinical significance of these findings is unknown.

4
Indications
--
Phase 3 Trials
28
Years on Market

Details

Status
Prescription
First Approved
1997-06-13
Routes
TOPICAL
Dosage Forms
GEL, CREAM

Companies

Active Ingredient: TAZAROTENE

TAZORAC Approval History

1998
1999
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2003
2004
2005
2006
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2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
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2018
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2021
2022
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2024
2025
2026
Original
New Indication
New Form
Label Update
28 FDA actions from 1997 to 2018 · 2 indication expansions
Apr 2018 SUPPL
Label · Labeling
Jul 2017 SUPPL
Label · Labeling
Sep 2016 SUPPL
Label · Labeling

What TAZORAC Treats

2 indications

TAZORAC is approved for 2 conditions since its original approval in 1997. These indications span multiple therapeutic areas including oncology, immunology, and more.

  • Plaque Psoriasis
  • Acne Vulgaris
Source: FDA Label

TAZORAC Competitive Set

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Three rings of competition based on shared molecular targets and treated indications.

Direct competitors

1

Same target(s) AND same indication — head-to-head.

MoA expansion candidates

1

Same target(s), different indications — where else is this mechanism being explored?

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Filters applied: drops same-active-ingredient (505(b)(2) reformulations), route-mismatch (topical vs systemic), and cross-therapeutic-area matches in same-indication rings.

Drugs Similar to TAZORAC

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Clinical Trial Registry

2 trials
Trial Sponsor ID Phase Status Title
NCT01019603 114565 Ph 1 completed A Study to Evaluate the Bioavailability of Tazarotene Foam, 0.1%, and Tazorac Gel, 0.1%, in Subjects With Acne Vulgaris
NCT00834210 results posted MA-ACZ0802 Ph 4 completed Dapsone Gel 5% and Tazarotene Cream 0.1% Versus Tazarotene Cream 0.1% Monotherapy for Facial Acne Vulgaris
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Active Pipeline

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Ongoing clinical trials by development phase

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Key Completed Trials

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Completed studies with published results, ranked by significance

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Trial Timeline

Full development history with FDA approval milestones

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Understanding FDA Approval Types
Count Type What it means
- ORIG Original approval - drug first enters market
- SUPPL - Efficacy New indication (new disease/condition approved)
- SUPPL - Labeling Label text changes (warnings, dosing updates)
- SUPPL - Manufacturing Production changes (new facility)
- SUPPL - Chemistry Formulation changes (new dosage strength)

Green lines in the timeline show ORIG and Efficacy approvals - the clinically meaningful milestones.

TAZORAC FDA Label Details

Indications & Usage

FDA Label (PDF)

TAZORAC is indicated for the treatment of Plaque Psoriasis; Acne Vulgaris.

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Data Sources

Data sourced from official FDA and NIH databases. Click links to verify on original sources.