How and where tazarotene might fit into the current therapeutic armamentarium: an expert opinion

When a new class of topical medication becomes available to treat psoriasis, its optimal usage may not be fully defined for years. This is because even the "experts" who tested the medication in clinical research and reviewed the scientific literature may have limited experience with its use in actual clinical practice. Eventually, the optimal usage will probably be defined by the sum total of the practitioner's experience with it, rather than by the researchers who investigated the agent initially. However, with that limitation in mind, and based on available information, one can start to define where this agent is likely to show its greatest advantage. Three areas of possible strength, and one situation where tazarotene might not show its best advantage, will be discussed in detail.