Tapinarof Topical

Topical tapinarof is used to treat plaque psoriasis (a skin disease in which red, scaly patches form on some areas of the body). Tapinarof is in a class of medications called aryl hydrocarbon receptor agonists. It is not known exactly how topical tapinarof works to treat plaque psoriasis.

🔔 How should this medicine be used?

Tapinarof comes as a cream to apply to the skin. It is usually applied once a day. Use tapinarof at around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use tapinarof exactly as directed. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

The cream is only for use on the skin. Be careful not to get tapinarof cream in your eyes, mouth, or vagina.

Apply a thin layer of topical tapinarof to all affected areas of your skin. Wash your hands with soap and water to remove any leftover tapinarof. Do not wash your hands if you are treating them with topical tapinarof.

Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient.

🔔 Other uses for this medicine

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Long wait times are often cited as a downfall of universal healthcare systems, but wait times in America have reached a new high, too. The average time to make a physician appointment as a new patient in 15 major U.S. cities is now 24 days, up 30% in just 3 years (2014 to 2018) according to physician recruiting firm Merritt Hawkins.

🔔 What special precautions should I follow?

Before using topical tapinarof,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to tapinarof, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in topical tapinarof. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal or topical products you are taking or plan to take while using tapinarof cream. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while using topical tapinarof, call your doctor.

🔔 What special dietary instructions should I follow?

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

🔔 What should I do if I forget a dose?

Apply the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not apply extra topical tapinarof to make up for a missed dose.

🔔 What side effects can this medication cause?

Topical tapinarof may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• red bumps or pimples around hair follicles
• rash, irritated, itching, burning, or stinging skin
• nose or throat pain
• stuffy or runny nose
• headache

Topical tapinarof may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

🔔 What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

🔔 In case of emergency/overdose

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can’t be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.

🔔 What other information should I know?

Keep all appointments with your doctor

Do not let anyone else use your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.