In vitro compatibility of tazarotene with other topical treatments of psoriasis

Abstract

Tazarotene is the first receptor-selective retinoid indicated for the topical treatment of plaque psoriasis. It is being used clinically in combination with other topical antipsoriatic treatments, although its stability in the presence of these products has not been examined extensively. This study examines the compatibility of tazarotene 0.05% gel with 17 other topical products used in the treatment of psoriasis, assessed over a 2-week period. Tazarotene showed minimal degradation (<10%) at 0, 8, 24, and 48 hours after compounding with each of the 17 products. In addition, after 1 and 2 weeks, degradation of tazarotene remained less than 10% for 15 of the 17 products tested. Tazarotene appeared to have minimal impact on the stability of the other products. These results suggest that tazarotene gel can be successfully coprescribed with a range of commonly used topical psoriasis treatments without adversely affecting the chemical stability of either agent.

Mechanisms of Action of Topical Corticosteroids in Psoriasis

“…Although tazarotene showed to be chemically compatible with a number of topical corticosteroids, no experiment testing over two weeks of treatment has been performed [114]. …”

“…Another successful combination is topical corticosteroids and tazarotene, which has improved efficacy compared to tazarotene therapy alone [114, 118, 119]. Whilst corticosteroids maximize efficacy and minimize toxicity of tazarotene, this drug reduces the development of corticosteroid-induced cutaneous atrophy [110].…”

The efficacy of topical tazarotene monotherapy and combination therapies in psoriasis

“…There have been studies examining the chemical stability of tazarotene when combined with topical steroids [28]. Chemical stability is defined as < 10% degradation of the compound after 2 weeks.…”

“…Chemical stability is defined as < 10% degradation of the compound after 2 weeks. In in vitro stability studies conducted by Hecker et al [28], 0.05% tazarotene gel was mixed in equal quantities with 15 steroids of different potencies and then analysed. Tazarotene was found to remain chemically stable with all except clobetasol 0.05% propionate gel and 0.05% beta methasone dipropionate gel (18.8 and 13.1% degradation, respectively).…”

“…In addition, chemical compatibility of tazarotene with calcipotriene was demonstrated by studies which showed minimal chemical degradation of tazarotene after it was mixed with calcipotriene [28].…”