Tazarotene, Arazlo, Fabior

Introduction

Written by Sarah Lewis, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Brittany A. Duke, PharmD, RPh
Updated on October 18, 2023

Arazlo (ah-RAZ-low) is a brand-name medication prescribed for acne in adults and certain children. Arazlo belongs to a group of drugs called retinoids.

Common questions about Arazlo

Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about Arazlo.

Does Arazlo come as a topical cream?

No, Arazlo doesn’t come as a topical cream. It’s only available as a lotion. Lotions have more water content than creams. Creams are better for dry skin in the winter months. But there are other products that contain the same active drug, tazarotene, that come as a topical cream. (An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.) This includes a generic version of tazarotene cream and the brand-name creams, Avage and Tazorac.

A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. Generic drugs are believed to be as effective and safe as brand-name drugs. And generic drugs typically cost less compared to brand-name drugs.

You can talk with your doctor or pharmacist to learn more about the topical cream forms of tazarotene.

How does Arazlo compare with tretinoin?

Arazlo and tretinoin are both retinoids that are approved to treat acne. They belong to the same group of drugs, so they work in similar ways and have similar side effects and warnings.

Like Arazlo, tretinoin is available as a lotion under the brand name Altreno. There are other forms of tretinoin, including a cream and gel. Some forms of tretinoin are approved to treat cosmetic skin problems, such as wrinkles and discoloration. 

To learn more about how these two drugs compare, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Can Arazlo be used for wrinkles?

Possibly. Arazlo is not approved to treat wrinkles or other cosmetic skin problems. However, doctors may choose to prescribe it for this purpose. It’s called an off-label use when doctors prescribe a drug for a condition other than its approved uses.

There’s also a cream form of tazarotene with approval for treating wrinkles. (Tazarotene is the active drug in Arazlo.) Creams tend to work better for wrinkles because they’re thicker and lock in skin-plumping moisture. Lotions are more lightweight, making them better for treating acne.

If you have concerns about wrinkles or the appearance of your skin, talk with your doctor. They can suggest the best products to reach your skin care goals.

How does Arazlo work? And how long does it take to start working?

Arazlo works as an exfoliant. It causes new skin cells to grow and divide faster. This causes the surface of your skin and your pores to shed dead skin cells faster.

Arazlo should start working to improve acne within a few weeks of starting it. But it can take up to 12 weeks to see its full effect.

If you’d like to know more about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Uses of Arazlo

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as Arazlo for certain conditions. Approved uses for Arazlo are described below. These uses differ based on the form of Arazlo prescribed.

Use for acne

Doctors may prescribe Arazlo topical lotion for treating acne. It’s used for this purpose in adults and children ages 9 years and older. It’s usually prescribed as a long-term treatment.

With acne, oil and dead skin cells clog skin pores causing pimples. This includes blackheads, whiteheads, nodules (hard, painful lumps), and cysts (nodules filled with pus). Acne pimples often occur on the face, neck, chest, upper shoulders, and back. Arazlo can help treat acne pimples.

Side effects of Arazlo

Arazlo may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of Arazlo and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.

To learn more about Arazlo’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to the prescribing information for Arazlo listed in the “Resources” section.

Mild side effects

More common mild side effects reported with some forms of Arazlo are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about Arazlo’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information for Arazlo listed in the “Resources” section.

With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.

Arazlo’s mild side effects include:

• dry skin
• itchy skin
• peeling skin
• skin redness or discoloration
• mild allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for Arazlo” section.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects of Arazlo are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about Arazlo’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information for Arazlo listed in the “Resources” section.

With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.

In general, Arazlo’s serious side effects include: 

• increased sensitivity to sunlight, which can lead to serious sunburn
• severe skin irritation
• severe allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for Arazlo” section.

Interactions and warnings for Arazlo

Below, you’ll find information about Arazlo’s possible interactions and warnings.

Interactions of Arazlo

Certain things may affect how a drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.

Before you use Arazlo, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:

• prescription or over-the-counter drugs 
• vitamins, herbs, or supplements

To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for Arazlo” section below.

Warnings for Arazlo

Some people should not use Arazlo, and others should use it cautiously.

Arazlo could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether Arazlo is a safe option for you. Ask your doctor about specific warnings for Arazlo, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:

• current health, including any allergies to medications
• past health conditions or surgeries

Allergic reaction

Arazlo can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Arazlo or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Arazlo. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.

A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
• swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems

If you have an allergic reaction to Arazlo, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Overdose of Arazlo

If you use Arazlo, you should not use more Arazlo than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

If you think you’ve used too much Arazlo, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding and Arazlo

Information about Arazlo and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.

Arazlo and pregnancy

Arazlo should not be used during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before using this medication. Your doctor may suggest birth control options to use during treatment with Arazlo.

Arazlo and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether Arazlo should be used while breastfeeding. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before using this medication.

What to ask your doctor

Let your doctor know if you have questions about Arazlo or would like more details about it.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• How should I use Arazlo?
• What things should I avoid while using Arazlo?
• Are there certain kinds of cleansers or makeup I should use with Arazlo?
• How does Arazlo compare with other medications that could treat my condition?

Resources

• Arazlo (tazarotene) lotion, for topical use. (2021). https://pi.bauschhealth.com/globalassets/BHC/PI/arazlo-pi.pdf
• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm 

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.