tazarotene

Modality

small molecule

Mechanism

12.1 Mechanism of Action Tazarotene is a retinoid prodrug which is converted to its active form, the carboxylic acid of tazarotene, by deesterification. Tazarotenic acid binds to all three members of the retinoic acid receptor (RAR) family: RARα, RARβ, and RARɣ, but shows relative selectivity for RARβ, and RARɣ and may modify gene expression. The clinical significance of these findings is unknown.

Targets

Retinoic acid receptor alpha, Retinoic acid receptor RXR-beta, Retinoic acid receptor gamma, Retinoic acid receptor beta

Storage

—

Approved

psoriasis — FDA · acne vulgaris — FDA

In trial

psoriasis, acne vulgaris

Source

DailyMed label

Last verified

2026-04-19

No curated MOA diagram yet. See lib/moa-data.ts for the shape; add an entry keyed by tazarotene.