Tan J, Draelos ZD, Gooderham MJ, Alexis AF, Graber E, Keri J, Woolery-Lloyd HC, Harper JC, Cook-Bolden FE, Konda A, Tanghetti EA. Influence of Season on Efficacy and Tolerability of Tazarotene 0.045% Lotion for the Treatment of Acne.
J Clin Aesthet Dermatol 2023;
16:42-45. [PMID:
37720201 PMCID:
PMC10503937]
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Abstract
Objective
The condition of the skin can vary due to weather fluctuations. Therefore, this post-hoc analysis evaluated efficacy and safety of tazarotene 0.045% lotion in warmer versus colder months.
Methods
In two Phase III, double-blind, 12-week studies, participants aged nine years or older with moderate-to-severe acne were randomized 1:1 to once-daily tazarotene or vehicle lotion. The pooled population (N=1,614) was stratified by randomization date (warmer=May to September; colder=October to April). Evaluations included inflammatory/noninflammatory lesion counts, treatment success, adverse events, and safety/tolerability.
Results
Tazarotene 0.045% lotion was similarly efficacious over colder and warmer months. Compared with vehicle, tazarotene demonstrated significantly greater least-squares mean absolute reductions from baseline to Week 12 in inflammatory (colder/warmer tazarotene vs. vehicle: -16.6/-15.8 vs. -13.2/-12.9) and noninflammatory lesions (-23.2/-22.6 vs. -17.5/-15.1); treatment success rates were also significantly higher (30.1/30.8% vs. 18.2/17.6%) (P<0.001, all). No strong seasonal trends in safety were observed, though tazarotene led to slightly more discontinuations (3.4% vs. 1.9%) and related adverse events (12.0% vs. 10.3%) in colder versus warmer months. Transient increases in scaling, erythema, and itching at Weeks 2 to 8 of tazarotene treatment were slightly higher in colder versus warmer months but returned to baseline/improved by Week 12.
Limitations
Geographical variation across study sites can lead to varying temperatures and humidity within the same months.
Conclusion
Tazarotene 0.045% lotion was efficacious and well tolerated for acne treatment, regardless of season. Year-round tolerability of tazarotene 0.045% lotion may be due to its lower tazarotene concentration and polymeric emulsion technology, which simultaneously delivers moisturizers/humectants/emollients to skin.
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