Pharmacokinetics of tazarotene cream 0.1% after a single dose and after repeat topical applications at clinical or exaggerated application rates in patients with acne vulgaris or photodamaged skin

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and pharmacokinetics of tazarotene cream 0.1% under standard (face only) or exaggerated (15% body surface area, including the face) application conditions after a single dose and after repeat topical applications once daily to patients with acne vulgaris or photodamaged skin. METHODS: Two separate, randomised, single-centre, nonblinded, parallel-group pharmacokinetic studies were conducted. In one study, tazarotene cream 0.1% was applied either to the face of eight female patients with moderate acne or to 15% body surface area of ten female patients with severe acne. In the other study, tazarotene cream 0.1% was applied either to the face (six females, two males) or to 15% body surface area (8 females, 8 males) of patients with photodamaged skin. In both studies, tazarotene cream 0.1% was applied once daily (except on days 1 and 2) for 30 days. Blood was drawn for measurement of plasma concentrations of tazarotenic acid at defined time intervals after application of the cream. Plasma tazarotenic acid concentrations were determined by a validated gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method with a lower limit of quantification of 0.005 microg/L. RESULTS: At exaggerated application rates in patients with acne vulgaris, the maximum average peak concentration (C(max)) and 24-hour area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) values of tazarotenic acid were (mean +/- SD) 1.20 +/- 0.41 microg/L (n = 10) and 17.0 +/- 6.1 microg. h/L (n = 10), respectively, and occurred on day 15. The single highest C(max) was 1.91 microg/L. At standard application rates in patients with acne vulgaris, the maximum average C(max) and AUC values of tazarotenic acid were 0.10 +/- 0.06 microg/L (n = 8) and 1.54 +/- 1.01 microg. h/L (n = 8), respectively, and occurred on day 15. At exaggerated application rates in patients with photodamaged skin, the maximum average C(max) and AUC values of tazarotenic acid were (mean +/- SD) 1.75 +/- 0.53 microg/L (n = 16) and 23.8 +/- 7.0 microg. h/L (n = 16), respectively, and occurred on day 22. The single highest C(max) was 3.43 microg/L on day 29. At standard application rates in patients with photodamaged skin, the maximum average C(max) and AUC values of tazarotenic acid were 0.236 +/- 0.255 microg/L (n = 8) and 2.44 +/- 1.38 microg. h/L (n = 8), respectively, and occurred on day 15. Gender had no influence on the systemic exposure of tazarotenic acid. The most common treatment-related adverse events were signs and symptoms of local irritation, of mild or moderate severity. CONCLUSIONS: The pharmacokinetics of tazarotene cream 0.1% in patients with acne vulgaris or photodamaged skin are similar. The maximum average plasma concentrations of tazarotenic acid after topical application of tazarotene cream 0.1% to the face were less than 0.25 microg/L. The maximum average plasma concentrations of tazarotenic acid following application to an exaggerated body surface area (15%) were less than 1.8 microg/L.     

Tazarotene: therapeutic strategies in the treatment of psoriasis, acne and photoaging

Tazarotene is a member of the new generation of receptor-selective, synthetic retinoids for the topical treatment of mild to moderate plaque psoriasis, acne vulgaris and photoaging. Though they are effective in monotherapy, clinical studies with a focus on novel combination treatments and a comparison of different agents for these skin disorders are accumulating. The concomitant use of tazarotene with a mid-potency or high-potency corticosteroid enhances the efficacy in psoriatic plaques and reduces the risk of steroid-induced skin atrophy. Combining phototherapy with adjunctive tazarotene accelerates the clinical response and reduces the cumulative UVB or PUVA exposure load. Tazarotene applied once daily is superior to adapalene monotherapy in acne vulgaris and is efficacious in the treatment of photodamage. Novel therapeutic regimens such as short-contact therapy have been developed for both acne and psoriasis in order to diminish the major adverse events like pruritus, burning, local skin irritation and erythema.     

Tazarotene foam, 0.1%, for the treatment of acne

Introduction: Acne is a common skin condition of the pilosebaceous units that affects the young and old, ranges from moderate to severe and can be treated with an array of options. Topical retinoids are the initial treatment for acne due to their ability to treat comedones, the starting point of acne.

Areas covered: Tazarotene is a topical retinoid available as a cream, gel and foam. Tazarotene 0.1% foam was FDA approved in 2012 for the treatment of acne in patients ages ≥12 and is the first foam topical retinoid on the market. Phase I and III trials support the efficacy and safety of tazarotene foam for acne.

Expert opinion: The foam vehicles may increase compliance and satisfaction in some patients and as retinoids are commonly first line acne treatments, this new topical retinoid foam may be a useful option for some acne patients.     

Disposition and biotransformation of the acetylenic retinoid tazarotene in humans

Oral tazarotene, an acetylenic retinoid, is in clinical development for the treatment of psoriasis. The disposition and biotransformation of tazarotene were investigated in six healthy male volunteers, following a single oral administration of a 6 mg (100 microCi) dose of [14C]tazarotene, in a gelatin capsule. Blood levels of radioactivity peaked 2 h postdose and then rapidly declined. Total recovery of radioactivity was 89.2+/-8.0% of the administered dose, with 26.1+/-4.2% in urine and 63.0+/-7.0% in feces, within 7 days of dosing. Only tazarotenic acid, the principle active metabolite formed via esterase hydrolysis of tazarotene, was detected in blood. One major urinary oxidative metabolite, tazarotenic acid sulfoxide, accounted for 19.2+/-3.0% of the dose. The majority of radioactivity recovered in the feces was attributed to tazarotenic acid representing 46.9+/-9.9% of the dose and only 5.82+/-3.84% of dose was excreted as unchanged tazarotene. Thus following oral administration, tazarotene was rapidly absorbed and underwent extensive hydrolysis to tazarotenic acid, the major circulating species in the blood that was then excreted unchanged in feces. A smaller fraction of tazarotenic acid was further metabolized to an inactive sulfoxide that was excreted in the urine.     

Tazarotene versus tazarotene plus clindamycin/benzoyl peroxide in the treatment of acne vulgaris: a multicenter, double-blind, randomized parallel-group trial

Topical retinoids offer highly effective treatment for both inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne, with tazarotene demonstrating greater efficacy than other topical retinoids. A multicenter, double-blind, randomized, parallel-group trial has been performed to evaluate whether the adjunctive use of clindamycin/benzoyl peroxide could enhance the efficacy of tazarotene still further. Patients with moderate to severe inflammatory acne applied tazarotene 0.1% cream each evening and were randomly assigned to morning applications of vehicle gel or a ready-to-dispense formulation of clindamycin 1%/benzoyl peroxide 5 % gel containing 2 emollients. Tazarotene/clindamycin/benzoyl peroxide achieved a significantly greater reduction in comedo count than tazarotene monotherapy and, among patients with a baseline papule plus pustule count of > or =25 (the median value), a significantly greater reduction in inflammatory lesion count. The combination therapy was also at least as well-tolerated as tazarotene monotherapy. The adjunctive use of clindamycin/benzoyl peroxide gel with tazarotene cream promotes greater efficacy and may also enhance tolerability. Any improvements in tolerability could be due to the emollients in the clindamycin/benzoyl peroxide gel formulation.     

Pharmacokinetics of tazarotene and acitretin in psoriasis

Introduction: Psoriasis is a prevalent cutaneous condition with severe physical and psychological manifestations. Since the advent of biologics, clinical outcomes in psoriasis have improved. However, retinoids are useful in the correct clinical context. Tazarotene and acitretin are currently the only US Food and Drug Administration approved retinoids for treatment of psoriasis. Both topical tazarotene and oral acitretin act on retinoic acid receptors and retinoid-X-receptors, resulting in altered gene expression of inflammatory cytokines and inhibition of keratinocyte proliferation.

Areas covered: This article provides an in-depth pharmacologic and clinical review on the use of tazarotene and acitretin in psoriasis. The PubMed database was searched using combinations of keywords: acitretin, bioavailability, dosing, efficacy, etretinate, interactions, mechanism, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, pharmacogenetics, psoriasis, safety, tazarotene, tolerability, and toxicity.

Expert opinion: Tazarotene and acitretin are effective treatments for psoriasis. Benefits include lack of immunosuppression and success treating inflammatory psoriasis. When combined with other topical and systemic agents, both retinoids improve clinical efficacy while lowering the treatment threshold. However, topical adherence and bothersome side effects can limit retinoid use. Acitretin and tazarotene both improve outcomes through a unique mechanism that especially benefits subsets of patients, despite side effects and limitations.     

他扎罗汀倍他米松乳膏对小型猪经皮给药后的系统吸收及其相互作用研究

目的：通过与已上市单方他扎罗汀凝胶（tazarotene gel）和二丙酸倍他米松乳膏（betamethasone dipropionate cream）比较，研究新的复方制剂他扎罗汀倍他米松乳膏（tazarotene and betamethasone dipropionate cream，简称"复方"）对小型猪经皮给药后的药物吸收以及药物组分间吸收的相互影响。方法：将18只小型猪随机分入复方组、他扎罗汀凝胶组和二丙酸倍他米松乳膏组，每组6只。小型猪按20%的体表面积2 mg·cm^-2给予相应组别的药物，并在给药后24 h清除药物。分别于给药前和给药后不同时间点采集血样。高效液相色谱-串联质谱（liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry，LC-MS/MS）法测定血浆中他扎罗汀及其代谢物他扎罗汀酸和/或二丙酸倍他米松及其代谢物倍他米松的浓度。DAS 2.1.1软件进行药代动力学（pharmacokinetic，PK）参数计算并统计分析。结果：复方他扎罗汀倍他米松乳膏与单方他扎罗汀凝胶中的他扎罗汀均不易透过小型猪皮肤到达血液，系统吸收非常低，而复方组血浆中的他扎罗汀及其活性代谢产物他扎罗汀酸较单方组更低；复方他扎罗汀倍他米松乳膏和二丙酸倍他米松乳膏中的二丙酸倍他米松几乎不透过小型猪皮肤到达血液，系统吸收非常低，其中复方组与单方组中二丙酸倍他米松及其代谢产物倍他米松到达血液的量未见明显的差异。结论：复方制剂中他扎罗汀对二丙酸倍他米松的系统吸收未产生相互作用，而二丙酸倍他米松对他扎罗汀的系统吸收产生了有益的相互作用，有利于用药安全。     

中药烫洗联合他扎罗汀外用治疗多发性跖疣疗效观察

目的探讨中药烫洗联合外用他扎罗汀乳膏治疗多发性跖疣的疗效。方法患者随机分为两组,治疗组50例,中药烫洗每次30～40 min,2次/d,烫洗后修剪,外用他扎罗汀乳膏;对照组47例,应用热水烫洗每次30～40 min,2次/d,烫洗后修剪,外用他扎罗汀乳膏。结果治疗组痊愈率84%,总有效率98%,对照组分别为46.8%,总有效率70.2%,两组差异均有显著性（P〈0.005）。结论中药烫洗联合他扎罗汀外用疗效高,使用方便,值得临床应用。     

Transdermal penetration of topical drugs used in the treatment of acne

Acne vulgaris is a very common skin disease. Most patients present with mild to moderate acne comedonica or papulopustulosa grade I-II. The first-line treatment for these cases is generally via the topical route, whereas systemic medication is indicated when higher severity grades with small nodes or scarring occur. There are several topical agents available that affect at least one of the main pathogenetic factors responsible for the development of acne: hyperseborrhoea, hyperkeratosis, microbial colonisation and inflammatory and immunological reactions. Topical retinoids have a comedolytic and anticomedogenic activity, and some of them have anti-inflammatory potency. Azelaic acid and benzoyl peroxide have a moderate to strong antibacterial effect without inducing bacterial resistance, which is becoming a significant problem with the increasing use of topical antibacterials. Topical antiandrogens may soon be available for the treatment of the pathogenetic factor hyperseborrhoea. The transdermal penetration and the resulting systemic bioavailability of the various topical agents has not been widely considered. Apart from the retinoids, which can be associated with the risk of embryotoxicity/teratogenicity, and clindamycin, which might cause pseudomembranous colitis, information on the systemic pharmacokinetics of other topical agents is not readily available. There is still no consensus on the safe use of topical retinoids in pregnancy, and the occurrence of pseudomembranous colitis after the topical use of clindamycin does not appear to be of clinical relevance. In general, topical anti-acne agents are well tolerated and, as would be expected from their limited transdermal uptake, other significant safety concerns have not so far arisen.     

The efficacy of topical tazarotene monotherapy and combination therapies in psoriasis

Tazarotene (Tazorac, Allergan, Inc.) is the first topical retinoid approved for the treatment of plaque psoriasis. It has a similar onset of action compared to potent topical steroids and has the advantage of a longer remission. The common side effects associated with the drug include skin irritation (including pruritus), erythema and a burning sensation. To overcome some of these shortcomings, it has been used in combination with steroids, calcipotriene and phototherapy. Combination therapy not only results in a decrease in adverse side effects, but also enhanced efficacy. Clinical study data have shown that combination therapy is just as important as tazarotene monotherapy, if not more.     

他扎罗汀乳膏治疗痤疮的临床疗效观察

目的:为痤疮患者提供更好的治疗方案。方法:122例痤疮患者按随机单盲对照原则分为他扎罗汀组(42例)、水氯酊组(38例)和联合治疗组(42例),连续外用8周后观察疗效。结果:3组皮损数均随治疗时间的延长而逐渐减少,与治疗前比较,治疗8周后皮损总分3组差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05或P<0.01)。治疗8周后有效率,他扎罗汀组与水氯酊组比较差异有统计学意义(χ2=17.629,P<0.05);联合治疗组与水氯酊组比较差异也有统计学意义(χ2=15.532,P<0.05);他扎罗汀组与联合治疗组比较差异无统计学意义(χ2=10.130,P>0.05)。结论:对于非炎症性痤疮可单用他扎罗汀治疗;对脓疱型患者水氯酊效果优于他扎罗汀,考虑与氯霉素的抗菌作用有关;而对于炎症性痤疮可选用他扎罗汀加0.5%水氯酊外用。     

The efficacy of topical tazarotene monotherapy and combination therapies in psoriasis

Tazarotene (Tazorac^®, Allergan, Inc.) is the first topical retinoid approved for the treatment of plaque psoriasis. It has a similar onset of action compared to potent topical steroids and has the advantage of a longer remission. The common side effects associated with the drug include skin irritation (including pruritus), erythema and a burning sensation. To overcome some of these shortcomings, it has been used in combination with steroids, calcipotriene and phototherapy. Combination therapy not only results in a decrease in adverse side effects, but also enhanced efficacy. Clinical study data have shown that combination therapy is just as important as tazarotene monotherapy, if not more.     

Management of scalp psoriasis: guidelines for corticosteroid use in combination treatment

Scalp psoriasis is a frequent expression of the common skin disease psoriasis, and scaling and itching are the two major complaints. Topical treatments are the mainstay of the treatment of psoriasis of the scalp, with the vehicle as well as the active ingredient relevant to efficacy, tolerability and compliance. Vehicles can be shampoos, lotions, gels, foams, creams and more greasy ointments. Active ingredients are keratolytics, coal tar (liquor carbonis detergens), dithranol, corticosteroids and vitamin D3 analogues. Some effect has also been described from topical or systemic imidazole derivatives. Topical corticosteroids remain the mainstay in the treatment of scalp psoriasis. The effects are rapid, the formulations are patient friendly and the adverse effects seem limited, although no data are available to support safety during prolonged use (more than 4 weeks). Topical vitamin D3 analogues have been available for the treatment of psoriasis since 1992. In the lotion formulation in particular, vitamin D3 analogues are a patient friendly, tolerable and effective alternative to corticosteroids, although the effects are optimal after 8 weeks, in contrast to 2-3 weeks for topical corticosteroids. Facial irritation (often temporary) can also be a disadvantage of vitamin D3 analogues, although only a small proportion of patients stop treatment for this reason. All other treatment options for psoriasis, such as tazarotene, phototherapy and systemic treatment with methotrexate, acitretin and cyclosporin are often not indicated or not suitable for treatment of the scalp. In daily practice, to make a choice from the available therapeutic arsenal for psoriasis, each patient should be examined individually. Deteriorating factors have to be excluded. For scaling, keratolysis is the first step. Subsequently, active treatment can be chosen depending on the clinical picture. When the psoriatic lesions are mainly characterised by inflammation, anti-inflammatory drugs such as topical corticosteroids are indicated. When scaling is the more important clinical feature, vitamin D3 analogues are indicated. Generally, intermittently used topical corticosteroids alternating with vitamin D3 derivatives either combined or not with liquor carbonis detergens containing shampoo is the most suitable treatment for most patients. Because psoriasis capitis is a chronic disease, long term treatment should, in addition to medical advice, also provide patient support and motivation.     

他扎罗汀凝胶与卡泊三醇软膏治疗斑块型银屑病的比较

目的 :观察他扎罗汀凝胶治疗斑块型银屑病的疗效与安全性 ,并与卡泊三醇软膏比较。方法 :71例斑块型银屑病病人分为 2组 ,他扎罗汀组 36例 ,每晚外涂 1次 ;卡泊三醇组 35例 ,早、晚各外涂1次 ,2组疗程均为 12wk。结果 :2组的总有效率分别为 83%和 79% ,差异无显著意义 (P >0 .0 5 )。结论 :他扎罗汀凝胶治疗斑块型银屑病安全有效 ,与卡泊三醇相仿     

他扎罗汀乳膏与阿达帕林凝胶随机对照治疗寻常型痤疮多中心临床试验

目的 评价国产0．1％他扎罗汀乳膏治疗面部轻中度寻常型痤疮的疗效及安全性。方法 用多中心、随机单盲对照试验方法，0．1％他扎罗汀乳膏或0．1％阿达帕林凝胶局部外用每日1次，疗程8周。在治疗前、治疗2，4和8周进行观察。入选病例142例，其中0．1％他扎罗汀乳膏组71例，完成8周观察64例。0．1％阿达帕林凝胶组71例，完成8周观察67例。结果他扎罗汀乳膏组有效率72．3％，阿达帕林凝胶组有效率62．7％。两组之间无显著统计学差异。两组的不良反应均表现为轻度到中度的局部刺激，发生率分别为28．70％和23．50％。结论 他扎罗汀乳膏治疗寻常型痤疮安全有效。     

Topical Film-Forming Solid Solutions for Enhanced Dermal Delivery of the Retinoid Tazarotene

Topical film-forming solutions (FFSs) show considerable potential for dermal delivery of an API. Through a mechanism of in situ film formation upon solvent evaporation, they may improve skin delivery by prolonging substantivity on the skin, by establishing a transient supersaturation, and/or by enhancing solubility through the formation of a solid dispersion in the resulting film.This work aimed at developing an FFS for topical application with enhanced skin delivery. The tested FFSs were composed of the lipophilic retinoid tazarotene and the hydrophobic polyamide-3 polymers.The residual films cast from FFSs were examined by DSC and their release mechanism was investigated. Additionally, ex vivo skin penetration of tazarotene was explored.In comparison to a physical mixture, the glass transition (T_g) was significantly increased (p < 0.01) in in-situ generated polyamide-3 (11,500 Da)/tazarotene films with ratios 5:1 and 10:1, indicating a molecular distribution of tazarotene within the polymer. Stress testing at 32°C and 40°C further indicated that these films were kinetically stabilized for at least two weeks. Tazarotene release from solid solution films was notably increased as compared to the crystalline and the amorphous tazarotene. A ten-times higher skin penetration of the ratio 10:1 film (containing 0.1% tazarotene) was observed as compared to a commercial 0.1% tazarotene cream.Hence, topical solid solutions may represent an option for improved dermal API delivery.     

Adverse events related to topical drug treatments for acne vulgaris

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Acne vulgaris is a widespread skin disease. Topical therapy is a standard treatment for mild to moderate acne. Given the complex pathophysiology of acne, various agents with complementary action are nowadays frequently combined to increase the efficacy of therapy.

Area covered: This review focus on safety profile of topical agents used for the treatment of acne vulgaris, including topical retinoids, benzyl peroxide, azelaic acid, topical antibiotic, and combined agents. Data from clinical trials but also metanalyses, systematic reviews, and other secondary analyses are presented.

Expert opinion: In general, topical agents used for acne vulgaris have a favorable safety profile. The most commonly reported AEs were associated with local skin irritation, usually mild to moderate in intensity, intermittent, and rarely led to the cessation of therapy. Irritative potential seems to be highest for BPO and topical retinoids. Due to the possibility of development of Cutibacterium acnes resistance, topical antibiotics should not be used in monotherapy but as a part of combination therapy. In female adolescent and adults of childbearing potential, topical retinoids should be used with caution, because they are contraindicated in pregnant females (FDA Pregnancy category) C (adapalene, tretinoin) and X (tazarotene).