| Psoriasis vulgaris

Stelara vs Tazorac

Side-by-side clinical, coverage, and cost comparison for psoriasis vulgaris.

Deep comparison between: Stelara vs Tazorac with Prescriber.AI

AI compares prescribing info and payer-specific access barriers across 1,200+ formularies. Here's a preview of what prescribers are already asking.

Safety signalsTazorac has a higher rate of injection site reactions vs Stelara based on FDA-approved prescribing information

Coverage gaps3 major payers require step therapy for Tazorac but not Stelara, including UnitedHealthcare

Category

Stelara

Tazorac

At A Glance

RouteSC injection

FrequencyEvery 8-12 weeks

ClassIL-12/23 antagonist

RouteTopical

FrequencyDaily

ClassRetinoid

Indications

Psoriasis vulgaris
Arthritis, Psoriatic
Crohn Disease
Ulcerative Colitis

Psoriasis vulgaris
Acne Vulgaris

Dosing

Psoriasis vulgaris Adults <=100 kg: 45 mg SC at weeks 0 and 4, then every 12 weeks; adults >100 kg: 90 mg SC at weeks 0 and 4, then every 12 weeks; pediatric patients >=6 years: weight-based dosing (0.75 mg/kg for <60 kg, 45 mg for 60-100 kg, 90 mg for >100 kg) SC at weeks 0 and 4, then every 12 weeks.

Arthritis, Psoriatic Adults: 45 mg SC at weeks 0 and 4, then every 12 weeks (90 mg for >100 kg with co-existent moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis); pediatric patients >=6 years: weight-based dosing (0.75 mg/kg for <60 kg, 45 mg for >=60 kg, 90 mg for >100 kg with co-existent plaque psoriasis) SC at weeks 0 and 4, then every 12 weeks.

Crohn Disease, Ulcerative Colitis Adults: single IV induction dose (260 mg for <=55 kg, 390 mg for >55-85 kg, 520 mg for >85 kg), followed by 90 mg SC at week 8, then every 8 weeks.

Psoriasis vulgaris Apply a thin film (2 mg/cm2) of 0.05% cream once daily in the evening to psoriatic lesions only; increase to 0.1% if tolerated and medically indicated.

Acne Vulgaris Apply a thin layer (2 mg/cm2) of 0.1% cream once daily in the evening to affected facial skin areas after gentle cleansing and drying.

Contraindications

Clinically significant hypersensitivity to ustekinumab or any excipient of STELARA

Pregnancy (retinoids may cause fetal harm)
Known hypersensitivity to any component of TAZORAC Cream

Drug Interactions

969View drug interactions

201View drug interactions

Adverse Reactions

Most common (>=1%) Nasopharyngitis, upper respiratory tract infection, headache, fatigue, back pain, dizziness, pharyngolaryngeal pain, pruritus, injection site erythema, myalgia, depression

Serious Infections, malignancies, serious hypersensitivity reactions, posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES), noninfectious pneumonia

Postmarketing Hypersensitivity reactions (anaphylaxis, angioedema, dyspnea, rash, urticaria), lower respiratory tract infection, PRES, interstitial pneumonia, eosinophilic pneumonia, cryptogenic organizing pneumonia, pustular psoriasis, erythrodermic psoriasis, hypersensitivity vasculitis

Most common (>=10%) Psoriasis: pruritus, erythema, burning; Acne: desquamation, dry skin, erythema, burning sensation

Serious Embryofetal toxicity, photosensitivity and risk of sunburn

Postmarketing Blister, dermatitis, urticaria, skin exfoliation, skin discoloration (hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation), swelling at or near application sites, pain

Pharmacology

Ustekinumab is a human IgG1k monoclonal antibody that binds the p40 protein subunit shared by IL-12 and IL-23, blocking their interaction with the IL-12Rb1 receptor chain and thereby suppressing downstream inflammatory signaling involved in natural killer cell activation and CD4+ T-cell differentiation and activation.

Tazarotene is a retinoid prodrug converted by esterase hydrolysis to tazarotenic acid, which binds retinoic acid receptors RAR-beta and RAR-gamma with relative selectivity and may modify gene expression in psoriatic and acne-affected skin.

View Full FDA Information

View full FDA information

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Most Common Insurance

Anthem BCBS

Stelara