Brand
name: Tretinoin
Tretinoin (Tretinoin, Avita, Renova, Retin-A)
Why is Retin-A and Tretinoin prescribed?
Retin-A, Avita, and Tretinoin contain the skin medication tretinoin.
Retin-A and Avita are used in the treatment of acne. Tretinoin is prescribed
to reduce fine wrinkles, discoloration, and roughness on facial skin
(as part of a comprehensive program of skin care and sun avoidance).
Retin-A is available in liquid, cream, or gel form, and in a stronger
gel called Retin-A Micro. Avita comes only as a gel. Tretinoin is available
in cream form only.
Most important fact about Retin-A and Tretinoin
While using Retin-A, Avita, or Tretinoin, keep exposure to sunlight,
including sunlamps, to a minimum. If you have a sunburn, do not use
Retin-A and Tretinoin until you have fully recovered. Use of sunscreen
products (at least SPF 15) and protective clothing over treated areas
is recommended when exposure to the sun cannot be avoided. Weather
extremes, such as wind and cold, may be irritating and should also
be avoided while using these products.
How should you use Retin-A and Tretinoin?
Retin-A and Avita should be applied once a day, in the evening, to
the skin where acne appears, using enough to lightly cover the affected
area. The liquid form may be applied using a fingertip, gauze pad,
or cotton swab. If you use gauze or cotton, avoid oversaturation, which
might cause the liquid to run into areas where treatment is not intended.
Tretinoin is also applied once daily in the evening. Use only enough
to lightly cover the affected area. Before you use Tretinoin, wash your
face with a mild soap, pat your skin dry, and wait 20 to 30 minutes.
Then apply a dab of Tretinoin cream the size of a pea and spread it lightly
over your face, avoiding your eyes, ears, nostrils, mouth, and open
wounds.
You may use cosmetics while being treated with these products; however,
you should thoroughly cleanse the areas to be treated before applying
Retin-A and Tretinoin.
If your skin becomes too dry, you may want to use petroleum jelly
or another emollient during the day.
If there is no immediate improvement, or new blemishes appear, don't
get discouraged; it takes weeks for the medicine to take effect. Continue
applying the prescribed amount. (Do not increase the dosage; it may
irritate your skin.)
Do not stop treatment when improvement finally occurs. You must continue
therapy to maintain the beneficial effect.
If you miss a dose...
Resume your regular schedule the next day.
Storage instructions Tretinoin (Tretinoin, Avita, Renova, Retin-A)
Store at ordinary room temperature. Do not freeze Tretinoin.
Retin-A and Tretinoin side effects
If you have sensitive skin, the use of Avita or Retin-A may cause
your skin to become excessively red, puffy, blistered, or crusted.
If this happens, notify your doctor, who may recommend that you discontinue
Retin-A and Tretinoin until your skin returns to normal, or adjust Retin-A
and Tretinoin to a level that you can tolerate.
An unusual darkening of the skin or lack of color of the skin may
occur temporarily with repeated application of Avita or Retin-A.
Side effects of these medications are generally not severe and may
include burning, dry skin, itching, peeling, redness, and stinging.
Why should Retin-A and Tretinoin not be prescribed?
If you are sensitive to or have ever had an allergic reaction to either
of these products, avoid using them.
The safety and effectiveness of long-term use of Retin-A in the treatment
of disorders other than acne have not been established.
The safety and effectiveness of Tretinoin 0.05 percent cream have not
been established in children under age 18, adults over age 50, and
people with heavily pigmented or sun-damaged skin, nor in periods of
greater than 48 weeks of daily use.
The safety and effectiveness of Tretinoin 0.02 percent cream have not
been established in children under age 18, adults over age 71, and
people with sun-damaged skin, nor in periods of greater than 52 weeks
of daily use.
Special warnings about Retin-A and Tretinoin
Be sure to keep these products away from the eyes, mouth, angles of
the nose, and mucous membranes.
The medication may cause a brief feeling of warmth or slight stinging
when applied. If it causes an abnormal irritation, redness, blistering,
or peeling of the skin, notify your doctor. He may suggest that you
use Retin-A and Tretinoin less frequently, discontinue use temporarily,
or discontinue use altogether. If a severe sensitivity reaction or
chemical irritation occurs, you will probably need to stop using the
drug.
If you have eczema (skin inflammation consisting of itching and small
blisters that ooze and crust over) or other chronic skin conditions,
use these products with extreme caution, as they may cause severe irritation.
During the early weeks of acne therapy, a worsening of the condition
may occur due to the action of Avita or Retin-A on deep, previously
unseen areas of inflammation. This is not a reason to discontinue therapy,
but do notify your doctor if it occurs.
Retin-A gel and Avita are flammable and should be kept away from heat
and flame.
Tretinoin will not eliminate wrinkles, repair damage done by the sun,
or reverse the aging process. After you stop using Tretinoin, it is best
to continue using a sunscreen and avoiding the sun.
Possible food and drug interactions when taking Retin-A and Tretinoin
If these medications are used with certain other drugs, the effects
of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially
important to check with your doctor before combining Avita or Retin-A
with the following:
Preparations containing benzoyl peroxide, such as Benzac AC Wash 5,
Benzshave, Desquam-E, PanOxyl
Preparations containing sulfur (ointments and other preparations used
to treat skin disorders and infections)
Resorcinol (a drug, used in ointments to treat acne, that causes skin
to peel)
Salicylic acid (a drug that kills bacteria and fungi and causes skin
to peel)
"Resting" your skin is recommended between
use of the above preparations and treatment with Avita or Retin-A.
Do not use Tretinoin if you are taking other drugs that increase sensitivity
to sunlight. These include:
Certain antibiotics, including Cipro, Noroxin, and tetracycline
Major tranquilizers such as Thorazine and Mellaril
Sulfa drugs such as Bactrim and Septra
Thiazide drugs (water pills) such as Diuril and HydroDIURIL
Caution should be exercised when using Avita, Retin-A, or Tretinoin in
combination with other topical medications, medicated or abrasive soaps
and cleansers, soaps and cosmetics that have a strong drying effect,
products with high concentrations of alcohol, astringents, spices,
or lime (especially the peel), permanent wave solutions, electrolysis,
hair depilatories or waxes, or other preparations that may dry or irritate
the skin.
Special information if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
The effects of Retin-A during pregnancy have not been adequately studied.
If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, inform your doctor
immediately.
Do not use Tretinoin or Avita during pregnancy or if there is a good
chance that you will become pregnant.
It is not known whether the drug appears in breast milk. Use with
caution when breastfeeding.
Recommended dosage for Retin-A and Tretinoin
RETIN-A AND AVITA
Overdosage
Applying Avita, Retin-A, or Tretinoin excessively will not produce faster
or better results, and marked redness, peeling, or discomfort could
occur.
