I found this optimistic letter from the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Treating keratosis pilaris

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To the Editor:

Although keratosis pilaris is mainly a cosmetic nuisance, it is often emotionally disturbing and difficult to treat. Urea, lactic acid, topical corticosteroids, topical and systemic retinoids, and other treatments have been used with varying success. Tazaroten selectively transactivates the retinoic acid receptors of the skin. It has a strong antiproliferative effect and modulates keratinocyte differentiation. Therefore, tazarotene has been tried in the treatment of several keratinization disorders such as Darier's disease and congenital ichthyoses.

I tried tazarotene in an open study in the treatment of keratosis pilaris. After they had given informed consent, 20 consecutive patients with keratosis pilaris associated with atopy were instructed to apply an oil-in-water emulsion containing 0.01% tazarotene every evening for the next 4 to 8 weeks. In as soon as 2 weeks, keratosis pilaris gradually faded and resolved after 4 to 8 weeks. Because tazarotene has a low percutaneous absorption and is rapidly metabolized and eliminated,4 it may be beneficial for those with keratosis pilaris. Further, it may also hold promise for the treatment of other disturbing keratinization disorders.

Original Letter

__________________
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

This is the first time I read a message in which is said the same treatment is working for a lot of people at the same time. Without exceptions!!

I want to try this stuff!!

Is this by prescription only?

This is a very interesting article. I wonder how easy it would be to get a dermatologist to prescribe this. Seems like it could not hurt to try. I have tried sulfur soap/scrubbing and AmLactin with very little results. I finally had enough of the sulfur smell and threw the bar in the trash. The AmLactin does not seem to be doing anything. Honestly, I think my KP looks better when I don't use ANYTHING on my skin.

A pervious board member also had success with Tazarotene, however scaring did occur.

Old Forum Archive Article

Tazorac cream containing the Tazarotene additive is highly concentrated (%0.1). The high level of Tazarotene is meant to treat psoriasis or acne. If you are to use Tazarotene, you should use the 0.01% that is recommended in the letter.

Personally, I haven't prescribed to this treatment yet, but I'm hoping to soon.

__________________
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

I don't see a .01% cream on Americarx.com. I only see .05% and .1%.

I've found this on: www.psoriasis.org

Maybe it's also possible to treat KP in this way?! At this moment, this kind of drug isn't available, but maybe in the near future. Could give it a try.............

Oral Form of Tazorac Studied for Psoriasis
First posted April 9, 2003
Tazorac, a derivative of vitamin A now sold as a topical treatment for psoriasis and acne, was shown in late-stage trials to be effective as an oral capsule for the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis.

John Koo, M.D., professor and vice chairman of dermatology at the University of California-San Francisco, presented the data at the American Academy of Dermatology conference in late March 2003.

The combined analysis of two phase III trials involved 690 patients taking 4.5 milligrams of tazarotene daily for 12 weeks, followed by 12 weeks of follow-up. More than half the patients taking oral Tazorac saw their psoriasis symptoms improve by 50 percent, and 30 percent improved at least 75 percent.

The main side effects were inflammation and cracking of the lips, dry skin, headache and aches and pains. Tazorac cleared from the body within a month. This is important because vitamin A derivatives like Tazorac, Soriatane and Accutane are associated with birth defects. Quick clearance suggests it may be possible for women to safely become pregnant after a month-long hiatus from Tazorac—a shorter waiting period than with other oral vitamin A derivatives.

Allergan, manufacturer of Tazorac, intends to seek approval of the oral form from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in the second half of 2003.

good thinkin'! I bet you could email Allergan and ask 'em!!
(maybe they hadn't thought of it; I'm sure they'd be thrilled to have another group to market to!)

That is a good idea. I'm thinking about making contact with an Allergan representative and present the "Treating Keratosis Pilaris" article. Perhaps they can futher their research concerning KP, and hopefully develop something new out of it.

From what I've heard, Tazaroc cream is quite strong (often causing scarring). Tazaroc cream comes in %0.05 and %0.1 dossage, which I assume is a high dosage to treat KP. Maybe enough feedback will convience someone in Allergan to do something about it.

__________________
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Did you ever try 0.01% tazarotene? Or maybe 0.1 or 0.05% tazarotene? This because you say you have used and tried a lot of different (chemical) things. Maybe it's a little cheaper for you because you're a pharmacist yourself. So, it's a little easier for you to give this stuff a try.

Do you think it's an idea to contact the producer of tazarotene to say them maybe their product is also working for KP? Or would this be a waste of time?

Thanx!

This gel is also not covered by insurance companies and cost almost $300 for a large tube, which is not so large.