Side Effects of Vtama (Tapinarof) Topical Cream

Application Site Reactions

Erythema (redness), scaling, and dry skin are common application site reactions seen with topical medications, similar to what is observed with other topical agents, according to the American Academy of Dermatology 1, 2

Patients should be advised to avoid application to broken or irritated skin, and discontinue use and contact their healthcare provider if they experience severe irritation or allergic reaction, as recommended by the American Academy of Dermatology 3

Tapinarof has a more favorable side effect profile compared to topical corticosteroids, which can cause skin atrophy, telangiectasia, and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis suppression with prolonged use, according to the American Academy of Dermatology 3
Unlike topical retinoids such as tazarotene, tapinarof does not appear to cause significant photosensitivity or require specific sun protection measures, as noted by the American Academy of Dermatology 1, 4
Tapinarof does not have the same irritation potential as topical retinoids, which often cause burning, stinging, and peeling, according to the American Academy of Dermatology 2