What Is Arazlo? Uses, Dosage, and What You Need to Know in 2026

If your dermatologist prescribed Arazlo, or you're researching prescription acne treatments, this guide covers everything you need to know: what Arazlo is, how it's used, who it's approved for, and what to expect when taking it.

What Is Arazlo?

Arazlo is the brand name for tazarotene 0.045% lotion, a prescription topical retinoid (a derivative of vitamin A). It was developed by Ortho Dermatologics (a Bausch Health company) and received FDA approval on December 19, 2019 — making it the first tazarotene acne treatment available in lotion form.

Unlike earlier tazarotene products (like Tazorac cream or gel at 0.1% concentration), Arazlo uses a unique polymeric emulsion vehicle that encapsulates tazarotene within moisturizing oil droplets. This allows effective delivery at a lower concentration (0.045%), with built-in hydration — resulting in fewer irritation side effects while maintaining strong efficacy.

What Is Arazlo Used For?

Arazlo has one FDA-approved indication:

• Acne vulgaris — treatment of moderate to severe facial acne in patients 9 years and older, including both inflammatory lesions (papules, pustules) and non-inflammatory lesions (blackheads, whiteheads, comedones)

Some prescribers also use Arazlo off-label for:

• Truncal acne (back, chest, shoulders) — pilot studies suggest effectiveness for body acne as well
• Hyperpigmentation / dark spots (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation) — under dermatologist supervision only

Note: Off-label uses should only be pursued under the direct supervision of a prescribing physician.

Who Can Take Arazlo?

Arazlo is FDA-approved for patients 9 years of age and older with acne vulgaris. Arazlo is appropriate for adolescents and adults of all genders.

Arazlo is NOT appropriate for:

• Pregnant patients (contraindicated; potential teratogen)
• Patients with known hypersensitivity to tazarotene or parabens (present in the vehicle)
• Children under 9 years of age (safety and effectiveness not established)

How Is Arazlo Used? (Dosage Instructions)

Arazlo comes as a white to off-white lotion in a 45g aluminum tube. Here's how to use it:

1. Gently cleanse the affected area with a mild cleanser and pat skin completely dry
2. Apply a thin layer of Arazlo to the affected areas once daily (typically in the evening)
3. Avoid the eyes, mouth, paranasal creases, and mucous membranes
4. Wash hands thoroughly after applying
5. Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30+) in the morning and wear protective clothing outdoors

Clinical trials evaluated Arazlo for 12 weeks. Most patients begin to see improvement in acne lesion counts within 4–8 weeks of consistent daily use.

How Effective Is Arazlo?

Arazlo's FDA approval was based on two Phase 3 multicenter, randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled clinical trials in 1,614 patients aged 9 and older with moderate to severe facial acne. Key results at 12 weeks:

• 55–60% mean reduction in inflammatory lesions (vs. 45–47% with vehicle/placebo)
• 51–60% mean reduction in non-inflammatory lesions (blackheads, whiteheads)
• Statistically significant superiority over vehicle in both trials (p<0.001)

A Phase 2 head-to-head study showed Arazlo achieved similar treatment success to Tazorac 0.1% cream, with approximately half the treatment-related adverse events (2.9% vs. 5.6%).

Key Things to Know Before Starting Arazlo

• Pregnancy contraindication: Arazlo may cause birth defects. A negative pregnancy test is recommended before starting, and effective contraception is required during treatment.
• Initial skin reaction: Dryness, redness, and peeling are common in the first 2–4 weeks. This typically improves with consistent use and proper moisturization.
• Benzoyl peroxide interaction: If using benzoyl peroxide, apply them at different times of day (one AM, one PM) to avoid degradation of tazarotene.
• Cost: $564–$683 retail per 45g tube; manufacturer savings card may reduce cost to $0 for commercially insured patients.

If your pharmacy doesn't have Arazlo in stock, use medfinder to find which ones near you do. For information on how Arazlo works at the molecular level, see our guide on how Arazlo works.