Low irritation potential of tazarotene 0.045% lotion: Head-to-head comparison to adapalene 0.3% gel and trifarotene 0.005% cream in two studies

Abstract

Background Irritation with topical retinoids presents a significant impediment to acne treatment adherence. Two studies assessed the irritation potential of tazarotene 0.045% lotion versus adapalene 0.3% gel and trifarotene 0.005% cream. Methods In two double-blind, 12-day modified cumulative irritation patch studies, healthy adults (N = 20 each) had two active patches, containing 0.1 cc of tazarotene 0.045% lotion and either adapalene 0.3% gel (Study 1) or trifarotene 0.005% cream (Study 2), and one control patch (no product) placed on their upper back. Skin irritation was assessed and patches were replaced every 2–3 days. Results In Study 1, tazarotene 0.045% lotion and adapalene 0.3% gel were both mildly irritating, though irritation was lower overall with tazarotene 0.045% lotion. In Study 2, significantly greater irritation was observed with trifarotene 0.005% cream than tazarotene 0.045% lotion, beginning two days after the first patch application and at each subsequent visit. In sub-analyses of data from both studies, irritation among participants with acne was similar to the overall study populations. Conclusions In two head-to-head studies comparing the irritation potential of third- and fourth-generation retinoids, tazarotene 0.045% lotion was significantly less irritating than trifarotene 0.005% cream and numerically less irritating than adapalene 0.3% gel.

Keywords

• adapalene
• irritation
• tazarotene
• trifarotene