SATURDAY

October 19

SESSION 3

2:00 – 2:20

TAZAROTENE CREAM 0.1% FOR THE TOPICAL TREATMENT OF PHOTODAMAGED SKIN

John Sefton

Tazarotene is a RAR ß>g>>>a-specific retinoid that is rapidly metabolized to its free acid, tazarotenic acid, and is safe and effective in the topical treatment of psoriasis and acne.  A cream formulation of tazarotene at a concentration of 0.1% has now been shown to be safe and effective in the amelioration of signs associated with chronic overexposure to the sun (photodamage).  The development program included a dose-ranging study, two double-blind randomized vehicle-controlled studies, a study evaluating the histological changes associated with tazarotene treatment and a controlled pharmacokinetic study that involved both application to facial and exaggerated body surface areas.  Tazarotene was associated with significant reductions in fine wrinkling, mottled hyperpigmentation, lentigines, elastosis, coarse wrinkling, irregular depigmentation, tactile roughness, pore size, and significantly improved the patients’ skin condition according to an overall integrated assessment of photodamage.  Adverse events were mainly signs and symptoms of local skin irritation.  Plasma levels of tazarotene and tazarotenic acid remained very low, even after application for a period up to one year and to 15% of body surface.