Tazarotene

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Tazarotene
Skeletal formula of tazarotene
Space-filling model of the tazarotene molecule
Systematic (IUPAC) name
ethyl 6-[2-(4,4-dimethyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-1-benzothiopyran-6-yl)ethynyl]pyridine-3-carboxylate
Clinical data
Trade names Tazorac
AHFS/Drugs.com monograph
Pregnancy
category
  • X (U.S.)
Legal status
  • Prescription Only
Routes of
administration
Topical
Pharmacokinetic data
Protein binding >99%
Biological half-life 19 Hours
Identifiers
CAS Number 118292-40-3 YesY
ATC code D05AX05 (WHO)
PubChem CID: 5381
IUPHAR/BPS 6952
DrugBank DB00799 YesY
ChemSpider 5188 YesY
UNII 81BDR9Y8PS YesY
KEGG D01132 YesY
ChEBI CHEBI:32184 YesY
ChEMBL CHEMBL1657 YesY
Chemical data
Formula C21H21NO2S
Molecular mass 351.463 g/mol
  • O=C(OCC)c1ccc(nc1)C#Cc3ccc2SCCC(c2c3)(C)C
  • InChI=1S/C21H21NO2S/c1-4-24-20(23)16-7-9-17(22-14-16)8-5-15-6-10-19-18(13-15)21(2,3)11-12-25-19/h6-7,9-10,13-14H,4,11-12H2,1-3H3 YesY
  • Key:OGQICQVSFDPSEI-UHFFFAOYSA-N YesY
  (verify)

Tazarotene (marketed as Tazorac, Avage, Zorac, and Fabior) is a third-generation prescription topical retinoid sold as a cream, gel, or foam. Tazarotene is a member of the acetylenic class of retinoids. This medication is approved for treatment of psoriasis, acne, and sun damaged skin (photodamage). It is commonly sold in two concentrations: 0.05% and 0.1%.

Mechanism of action

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

Side effects

Common side effects include worsening of acne, increased sensitivity to sunlight, dry skin, itchiness, redness and in some cases extreme drying and cracking of skin. For most patients these side effects are uncomfortable but mild and decrease markedly after the first 2–4 weeks of use except for increased sensitivity to sunlight.

For best results dermatologists recommend applying the cream or gel once daily before bedtime after washing the face with a mild cleanser. Dermatologists recommend using a moisturizer with tazarotene so skin will not be as dry and flaky.

Uses

Tazarotene is rated pregnancy category X, and should not be used by pregnant women.

"There is limited evidence that tazarotene and isotretinoin benefit patients with moderate photodamage on the face: both are associated with skin irritation and erythema." [1]

In addition to tretinoin, which has been associated with greater skin improvements with high concentrations, tazarotene and isotretinoin creams are also found to be effective for photodamage, but at the expense of skin irritation. More evidence is needed before any recommendations can be made on oral or topical polysaccharides or hydroxy acids. Evidence from one trial suggests that the effectiveness of 0.05% tretinoin, is equivalent to the effects of 0.05% and 0.1% tazarotene.[1] However, for acne vulgaris, several recent double blind studies have shown consistently superior efficacy for tazarotene and roughly equal tolerability for both treatments.[2]

"Specifically, tazarotene reduced the number of noninflammatory and inflammatory lesions at 4, 8, and 12 weeks -- all timepoints examined during treatment. Although the reduction of inflammatory lesions compared with tretinoin did not achieve statistical significance, the reduction of open comedones at 12 weeks was 65% for tazarotene vs 44% for tretinoin (P = .034). Tazarotene also proved superior in the reduction of noninflammatory lesions at 12 weeks (55% vs 42% for tretinoin, P = .042)." [2]

Synthesis

Acetylenic retinoid prodrug converted to the active metabolite, tazarotenic acid, with selective affinity for retinoic acid receptors RARβ and RARγ.

Tazarotene synthesis:[3]

The formation of the ring system involves first alkylation of the anion from thiophenol with dimethylallyl bromide (1) to give the thioether (2). Friedel-Crafts cyclization of the olefin with the equivalent of PPA then gives the thiopyran (3). Acylation with acetyl chloride in the presence of aluminium chloride gives the methyl ketone (4). Reaction of the enolate of that ketone with diethyl chlorophosphate gives the enol phosphate 5 as a transient intermediate. This eliminates diethyl phosphite in the presence of excess base to give the corresponding acetylene 6. The anion from the reaction of the acetylene with base is then used to displace chlorine from Ethyl 6-chloronicotinate (7). This reaction affords the coupling product tazarotene (8).

Notes

  1. 1.0 1.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. 2.0 2.1 http://www.medscape.org/viewarticle/459255_4(subscription required)[clarification needed]
  3. Prepn: R. A. S. Chandraratna, EP 284288 ; idem, U.S. Patent 5,089,509 (1988, 1992 both to Allergan).