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Comprehensive Treatment Information for Canadian Dermatologists
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Acne - Patient's guide
Tazarotene
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Tazarotene is a designer retinoid that is part of the family of vitamin-A and vitamin-A like products called retinoids. It is approved by Health Canada as a treatment for psoriasis, acne, and photodamage although the majority of its use is for acne and photodamage, similar to the other retinoids.
How do I Use this Medication?
For acne, you should apply a small quantity (pea size) of Tazorac® to the entire face, especially the areas of involved skin while avoiding areas that could be irritated easier such as the mouth and nose corners. Tazorac® should also be applied to a dry face, having not been washed for at least 30 minutes prior. The frequency of application should be consulted with your physician as it may be customized to the skin sensitivity.
For photodamage, the same application applies as in acne. Apply a small amount to the entire face avoiding areas of susceptible irritation, having not washed your face within 30 minutes of application. It will reduce irritation significantly if you apply it without washing. Also, frequency of application should vary depending on your skin type.
For psoriasis, only apply the product to the area affected, avoiding the surrounding skin.
How Well Does it Work?
Acne:
Tazorac® will work effectively against both your blackheads and inflamed acne. You should expect to see improvement in 6-8 weeks. It can be used alone or in combination with other topical or oral medications.
Photodamage:
Tazorac has been approved by Health Canada to treat many aspects of photodamage including: fine wrinkles, hyperpigmentation (skin tone), lentigenes (brown spots), elastosis (skin elasticity) and pore size. You should begin to see improvement in 6-8 weeks with continued improvement with chronic use. It can be used alone or as a take-home therapy in combination with other treatments such as other topicals, light therapy, microdermabrasion, etc.
Psoriasis:
It works best in combination with other therapies, usually topical corticosteroids.
How Does it Work?
The exact mechanism is not clear, but it has been shown to have reduce proliferation and have anti-inflammatory properties. In photodamage, it has been proven to help the skin organize its cellular structure (skin polarity) and health. As with all retinoids, it works against existing acne and also prevents new lesions from appearing with continued use.
Will There Be Side Effects?
Side effects that could possibly be noticed by the patient:- Irritation, dryness, and redness
- Sun sensitivity
- Initial acne flare-up which should dissipate with continued use
- Side effects have been shown to have more to do with the skin characteristics of the person being treated rather than a difference in individual products.
Suggestions to Minimize Irritation
- Apply to skin that has not been stripped of its protective layer (recently washed)
- Reduce the frequency of application (every other day or less)
- Reduce the time of contact with your skin, wash off after 5 minutes
- Use gentle skin cleansers
- Use light skin moisturizers
- Discontinue use of other drying agents
- Avoid the sun
Pregnancy
Do not use this product if you are pregnant or planning on getting pregnant or are breastfeeding. Discuss with your physician.
Can I Take Other Medications?
Be careful if you are using tazarotene with other irritating products. For photodamage, avoid use 1 or 2 days before and after a procedure with light therapy or laser to the same area.
Which brands are Available?
Tazorac® Gel (0.05% and 0.1%) and Tazorac® Cream (0,05% and 0.1%).
What Condition are Treated By This Medication?
Helath Canada Approved
- Acne
- Photodamage
- Psoriasis
Non-HPB Approved
- Keratosis Pilaris
- Flat Warts
- Ichthyosis
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INTRODUCTION
Clinical experience confirms what has been shown in clinical trials, that Clindoxyl Gel is effective and well tolerated Once daily application of topical that combines two active anti-acne agents may well increase patient compliance... | Read more ... -
CLININCAL EXPERIENCE
More than six international studies involving over 6,000 patients have shown reductions in the PASI (Psoriasis Area and Severity Index) of approximately 40% after one week of treatment and 70% after four weeks... | Read more ... -
INDICATIONS
Moderate comedonal and papulo-pustular acne Approved in Canada as a once daily topical for moderate Acne in December 2000... | Read more ... -
PATIENT PROFILE
Any patient who has inflammatory acne can be treated with Clindoxyl Gel Acne patients with comedones only are best treated by topical retinoids Patients with cystic acne usually require systemic therapy... | Read more ... -
DOSING
Once daily application of Clindoxyl Gel is recommended The product needs to be applied to the whole region of skin that is affected with acne. In other words... | Read more ... -
EFFICACY
The following figures show pooled data from randomized, controlled double-blind trials involving 673 patients with acne... | Read more ... -
COMPLIANCE
Three factors to consider for good compliance of Clindoxyl Gel are: Well tolerated by most patients, results are often seen within 2 weeks... | Read more ... -
SIDE EFFECTS, SAFETY AND RISKS
Overall tolerance was rated as excellent in 94% of patients. Potential side effects expected in some patients... | Read more ... -
COST OF TREATMENT
This is a cost effective product. Reducing inflammation can reduce the risks of scarring... | Read more ...
View the entire Clindoxyl® Gel presentation.
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INTRODUCTION
There are limitations for regulators, pharmaceutical companies and pharmaceutical sales representatives to present clinical evidence following development of product monograph and drug approval... | Read more ... -
CLININCAL EXPERIENCE
Diane-35® (2mg cyproterone acetate and 0.035mg ethinyl estradiol) is approved for use in Canada to treat women with severe acne who are unresponsive to other available treatments and who have associated symptoms of androgenization, such as seborrhea and mild hirsutism. In addition to treating acne, Diane-35® also provides reliable contraception... | Read more ... -
INDICATIONS
Used to treat women with severe* acne and its associated symptoms of androgenization, including seborrhea and mild hirsutism.. | Read more ... -
PATIENT PROFILE
Women who have acne associated or not with signs of hyperandrogenism. Any woman who has acne that is not controlled with topical medication... | Read more ... -
DOSING
Diane-35® is sold in blister pack units containing 21 tablets. Each tablet contains 2mg of cyproterone acetate and 0.035mg of ethinyl estradiol. Each cycle consists of 21 days on the medication and a 7-day interval without it... | Read more ... -
EFFICACY
Improvements in seborrhea are generally seen after 2 to 3 months. Improvements to acne are generally seen after 3 to 4 months. Numerous studies have proven the efficacy of hormonal therapy in treating acne over 6 or more months of use... | Read more ... -
COMPLIANCE
Patients should take Diane-35® at the same time each day with liquid... | Read more ... -
SIDE EFFECTS, SAFETY AND RISKS
Side effects are typical of most oral contraceptives and can include breast tenderness, headache, nausea, breakthrough bleeding, ankle swelling and weight gain. These side effects are typically mild and tend to resolve by the second or third cycle of therapy... | Read more ... -
COST OF TREATMENT
Diane-35 is sold to pharmacy wholesalers at a cost of $19.00 per cycle... | Read more ...
View the entire Diane-35® presentation.
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Last modified: Tuesday, 17-Aug-2010 12:02:22 MDT