Tazarotene a novel acetylenic retinoid is known to be effective in the topical treatment of psoriasis and acne. Tazarotene is rapidly and completely metabolized to its active metabolite tazarotenic acid. The exact mechanism of action of tazarotenic acid in the treatment of psoriasis and acne is not clearly defined. However, it is thought that the selective interaction of tazarotenic acid with the retinoic acid receptor (RAR) family (RARα, RARβ, and RARγ) and the subsequent induction of both positive and negative gene regulatory effects may be involved.