Comprehensive medication guide to Arazlo including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
$0–$60 copay for commercially insured patients with coverage; manufacturer copay card (Ortho Rx Access) may reduce cost to $0 after deductible. Many plans require prior authorization or exclude Arazlo from formulary.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$564–$683 retail for a 45g tube without insurance; approximately $583 with a GoodRx coupon. No generic version of the 0.045% lotion formulation is currently available.
Medfinder Findability Score
45/100
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Arazlo is the brand name for tazarotene 0.045% lotion, a prescription topical retinoid approved by the FDA on December 19, 2019. It is manufactured by Ortho Dermatologics, a division of Bausch Health Companies Inc. Arazlo was the first tazarotene acne treatment available in lotion form.
Arazlo is FDA-approved for the topical treatment of acne vulgaris in patients 9 years of age and older. It treats both inflammatory lesions (papules, pustules, nodules) and non-inflammatory lesions (blackheads, whiteheads, comedones). In two Phase 3 clinical trials in 1,614 patients, Arazlo achieved 55–60% mean reduction in inflammatory lesions at 12 weeks, significantly outperforming vehicle control (p<0.001).
Unlike older tazarotene products such as Tazorac cream or gel (0.1% concentration), Arazlo uses a unique polymeric emulsion technology that encapsulates tazarotene within moisturizing oil droplets dispersed in a honeycomb matrix. This delivers equivalent efficacy at a lower 0.045% concentration while incorporating built-in hydration — resulting in fewer side effects. Phase 2 data showed similar efficacy to Tazorac 0.1% cream with approximately half the adverse events.
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Arazlo (tazarotene) is a retinoid prodrug belonging to the acetylenic class of retinoids. When applied to the skin, skin enzymes called esterases convert tazarotene into its active form, tazarotenic acid, through a process called esterase hydrolysis. This conversion happens automatically within the skin cells after each application.
Tazarotenic acid travels into the nucleus of skin cells (keratinocytes) and binds to Retinoic Acid Receptors (RAR-alpha, RAR-beta, and RAR-gamma), with preferential selectivity for RAR-beta and RAR-gamma. RAR-gamma is the dominant receptor in the epidermis, which contributes to tazarotene's efficacy in skin conditions. By binding to these receptors, tazarotenic acid acts as a transcription factor, modifying gene expression in skin cells.
This gene expression change normalizes abnormal keratinocyte differentiation (preventing pore-clogging), reduces the cohesiveness of follicular epithelial cells (making it harder for dead cells and oil to stick together), decreases keratinocyte proliferation, and exerts anti-inflammatory effects. The combined result: fewer comedones, less inflammation, and clearer skin over time.
0.045% — lotion
45g aluminum tube; apply a thin layer to affected areas once daily
Arazlo has a findability score of 45 out of 100, reflecting frequent localized shortages and stocking inconsistencies across pharmacies. While Arazlo is not on the FDA's official drug shortage list as of 2026, many patients report significant difficulty filling their prescription — particularly at large chain pharmacies that stock based on automated demand signals.
Key factors affecting Arazlo availability include: its brand-name-only status (no generic 0.045% lotion exists), a high retail price of $564–$683 per tube that depresses dispensing volume, and insurance prior authorization requirements that delay access. Independent pharmacies and those near dermatology practices tend to stock Arazlo more reliably than large chains.
To find Arazlo in stock near you without calling every pharmacy, use medfinder. medfinder contacts pharmacies near you to check which ones currently have Arazlo in stock and texts you the results.
Arazlo is not a controlled substance and does not require any special DEA registration or prescribing authority beyond a standard state prescribing license. Any licensed prescriber may write a prescription for Arazlo, including the following types of providers:
Telehealth dermatology is widely available in 2026. Many online platforms (Teladoc, Curology, Apostrophe) offer consultations with board-certified dermatologists who can evaluate acne via video or photo submission and prescribe Arazlo in most US states — with no in-person visit required.
No. Arazlo (tazarotene 0.045% lotion) is not a controlled substance and is not assigned a DEA schedule. This means Arazlo can be prescribed by any licensed healthcare provider — including dermatologists, primary care physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants — without special DEA registration or controlled substance prescribing authority.
Because Arazlo is not a controlled substance, prescriptions can be called in, faxed, or sent electronically to the pharmacy. There are no restrictions on refills based on controlled substance laws. However, Arazlo does require a valid prescription from a licensed prescriber — it is not available over the counter.
Arazlo is, however, contraindicated in pregnancy and carries significant prescribing considerations for patients of childbearing potential. A negative pregnancy test within 2 weeks before starting treatment is recommended, and effective contraception must be used during treatment.
Most Arazlo side effects are limited to the skin and typically improve within 4–6 weeks as the skin adjusts to treatment. Common side effects include:
Serious side effects are rare but require immediate medical attention:
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Tretinoin (Retin-A, Altreno)
First-generation retinoid; widely available as generic ($15–$60/tube); gold standard for acne and photoaging; comparable efficacy to Arazlo for most patients
Adapalene (Differin)
Third-gen retinoid; 0.1% available OTC ($12–$30); least irritating retinoid; excellent for sensitive skin or first-time retinoid users; prescription 0.3% also available
Trifarotene (Aklief)
Fourth-gen retinoid; only retinoid FDA-approved for both facial and truncal acne; brand-only; appropriate for patients with body acne involvement
Tazorac (tazarotene 0.1%)
Same active ingredient as Arazlo at higher concentration; available as generic cream/gel ($40–$150); approved for acne, psoriasis, and photoaging; more irritating than Arazlo due to vehicle and concentration differences
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Benzoyl peroxide
moderateOxidizing agent that can degrade tazarotene; if both prescribed, apply at different times of day (one AM, one PM) to avoid degradation and preserve Arazlo efficacy
Other topical retinoids (tretinoin, adapalene, retinol)
moderateDo not combine with Arazlo; additive irritation with no benefit; use only one retinoid at a time
Photosensitizing medications (doxycycline, fluoroquinolones, thiazide diuretics)
moderateAdditive photosensitivity; diligent daily sunscreen use (SPF 30+) is essential when combining Arazlo with photosensitizing drugs
AHAs/BHAs (glycolic acid, salicylic acid)
minorTopical exfoliating acids compound Arazlo's dryness and irritation; avoid simultaneous use or use on alternating days
Abrasive cleansers and high-alcohol astringents
minorMay increase skin irritation and barrier disruption; switch to gentle, fragrance-free skincare routine during Arazlo treatment
Arazlo (tazarotene 0.045% lotion) represents a meaningful advance in topical retinoid therapy for acne. By combining the potency of tazarotene with an improved polymeric emulsion vehicle, Arazlo offers strong efficacy with better tolerability than legacy tazarotene formulations — making it accessible to a broader range of acne patients, including those who previously couldn't tolerate higher-concentration tazarotene products.
The primary challenges for patients in 2026 are cost and availability. At $564–$683 per tube retail with no generic equivalent, Arazlo requires either good commercial insurance coverage or use of the manufacturer savings program to be financially accessible. Pharmacy stocking inconsistency is an additional hurdle, particularly at large chain pharmacies.
If you've been prescribed Arazlo and are having difficulty finding it at your pharmacy, medfinder can help. Enter your medication and location and medfinder will contact pharmacies near you to find which ones have it in stock today. Don't let access barriers interrupt your acne treatment.
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Our medication guides are researched and written to help patients make informed decisions. All content is reviewed for accuracy and updated regularly. Learn more about our standards
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