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Retin-A vs. Avage, Fabior, Tazorac

Are Retin-A and Avage, Fabior, Tazorac the Same Thing?

Retin-A (tretinoin) Cream and Gel and Avage, Fabior, and Tazorac (tazarotene) are retinoids (a form of vitamin A) used to treat acne.

Avage, Fabior, and Tazorac are also used to treat plaque psoriasis (psoriasis with scaly patches) and to treat facial acne. The Avage brand of tazarotene cream is used to reduce the appearance of fine wrinkles on the face, mottled light and dark skin patches on the face, and benign facial lentigines (noncancerous freckles).

Side effects of Retin-A and Avage, Fabior, and Tazorac that are similar include skin redness, swelling, burning, warmth, stinging, tingling, itching, dryness, peeling, or irritation where the medicine is applied.

Side effects of Retin-A that are different from Avage, Fabior, and Tazorac include skin blistering, crusting; orchanges in skin color (darker or lighter).

Side effects of Avage, Fabior, and Tazorac that are different from Retin-A include skin pain, rash, or acne.

Both Retin-A and Avage, Fabior, and Tazorac may interact with other drying topical products.

Retin-A may also interact with other topical medications, especially those containing sulfur, resorcinol, or salicylic acid.

Avage, Fabior, and Tazorac may also interact with diuretics, antibiotics, phenothiazines, products with high concentrations of alcohol, astringents, spices, peel of lime, medicated soaps or shampoos, permanent wave solutions, electrolysis, chemical hair removers or waxes, or other products that might irritate the skin.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Retin-A?

Common side effects of Retin-A include:

  • red, swollen, blistered, or crusted skin;
  • burning,
  • warmth,
  • stinging,
  • tingling,
  • itching,
  • dryness,
  • peeling, or irritation where the medicine is applied; or
  • changes in skin color (darker or lighter)

What Are Possible Side Effects of Avage, Fabior, Tazorac?

Common side effects of Avage, Fabior, Tazorac include:

  • skin burning
  • warmth
  • stinging
  • tingling
  • itching
  • redness
  • swelling
  • dryness
  • peeling
  • pain
  • irritation
  • rash, or
  • acne

What Is Retin-A?

Retin-A (tretinoin) Cream and Gel is a form of Vitamin A used for the topical treatment of acne vulgaris.

What Is Avage, Fabior, Tazorac?

Avage (tazarotene) Cream, 0.1% is a compound similar to vitamin A used to treat plaque psoriasis (psoriasis with scaly patches) and to treat facial acne. The Avage brand of tazarotene cream is used to reduce the appearance of fine wrinkles on the face, mottled light and dark skin patches on the face, and benign facial lentigines (noncancerous freckles).

What Drugs Interact With Retin-A?

Retin-A may interact with other topical medications, especially those containing sulfur, resorcinol, or salicylic acid. Tell your doctor all medications you use.

What Drugs Interact With Avage, Fabior, Tazorac?

Avage Cream may interact with hiazide diuretics, antibiotics, phenothiazines, other topical products with a strong drying effect, products with high concentrations of alcohol, astringents, spices, peel of lime, medicated soaps or shampoos, permanent wave solutions, electrolysis, chemical hair removers or waxes, or other products that might dry or irritate the skin. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.

How Should Retin-A Be Taken?

Apply Retin-A to infected areas once a day. Use enough to cover the entire affected area lightly. Exposure to sunlight including sunlamps should be minimized while using Retin-A. If you have a sun burn you should avoid using Retin-A until you have completely recovered from the sun burn.

How Should Avage, Fabior, Tazorac Be Taken?

Apply a pea-sized dose of Avage Cream once a day at bedtime to lightly cover the entire face including the eyelids if desired. Remove makeup before applying Avage. Facial moisturizers may be used as desired.

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