Topical tazarotene cream (0.1%) in the treatment of facial acne: An open clinical trial

Background: Tazarotene is a new 3rd generation topical acetylenic retinoid. It normalizes keratinocytedifferentiation, reduces keratinocyte proliferation and decreases expression of inflammatory markers.Tazarotene was approved by US FDA in 1997 for acne vulgaris. Objectives: To evaluate the efficacyand safety of topical tazarotene 0.1% cream in the treatment of facial acne. Materials and methods: 67patients with facial acne in the age range of 13-30 years were enrolled in the study. Purposive samplingwas done. Patients were treated with topical Tazarotene cream (0.1%) and were instructed to apply themedication as a thin film over the affected area in the evening once daily for 12 weeks. Follow-up wasdone at 2nd, 4th week, 8th week and at 12th week. Results: Of the 67 patients, 53% got remission, 9% had good response, 34% had poor response and there was no response in 4% of the patients by 12weeks of treatment. Among the patients, 9 (13.43%) developed mild side effects. Conclusion: Topicaltazarotene cream (0.1%) is a effective and safe treatment option for acne vulgaris affecting face. It ismostly effective in grade-1 and grade-2 acne.