What is Retin-A?

Tretinoin is a topical (applied to the skin) form of vitamin A that helps the skin renew itself.

The Retin-A and Avita brands of tretinoin are used to treat acne. The Renova brand of tretinoin is used to reduce the appearance of fine wrinkles and mottled skin discoloration, and to make rough facial skin feel smoother.

Tretinoin topical may also be used for purposes other than those listed here.

What is the most important information I should know about Retin-A?

Avoid exposure to sunlight or artificial UV rays (sunlamps or tanning beds). Tretinoin topical can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and sunburn may result. Use a sunscreen (minimum SPF 15) and wear protective clothing if you must be out in the sun. Avoid getting this medication in your eyes, mouth, and nose, or on your lips. If it does get into any of these areas, wash with water. Do not use Retin-A on sunburned, windburned, dry, chapped, irritated, or broken skin. Also avoid using this medication in wounds or on areas of eczema. Wait until these conditions have healed before using Retin-A. Use this medication for as many days as it has been prescribed for you even if you think it is not working. It may take several weeks or months of Retin-A use before you notice improvement in your skin. If you are using Retin-A to treat acne, your condition may get slightly worse for a short time when you first start using the medication. Call your doctor if skin irritation becomes severe or if your acne does not improve within 8 to 12 weeks.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using Retin-A?

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

Tretinoin topical passes into breast milk. Do not use Retin-A without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I use Retin-A?

Use Retin-A exactly as your doctor has prescribed it for you. Using more medicine or applying it more often than prescribed will not make it work any faster, and may increase side effects. Do not use this medication for longer than your doctor has prescribed.

Wash your hands before and after applying Retin-A. Before applying, clean and dry the skin area to be treated.

Applying Retin-A to wet skin may cause skin irritation. If you use Renova, wait at least 20 minutes after washing your face before applying a thin layer of the medication.

Do not wash the treated area for at least 1 hour after applying Retin-A. Avoid the use of other skin products on the treated area for at least 1 hour following application of Retin-A.

Applying an excessive amount of tretinoin gel may result in “pilling” of the medication. If this occurs, use a thinner layer of gel with the next application.

Tretinoin topical should be used as part of a complete skin care program that includes avoiding sunlight and using an effective sunscreen and protective clothing.

Use this medication for as many days as it has been prescribed for you even if you think it is not working. It may take several weeks or months of Retin-A use before you notice improvement in your skin. If you are using Retin-A to treat acne, your condition may get slightly worse for a short time when you first start using the medication. Call your doctor if skin irritation becomes severe or if your acne does not improve within 8 to 12 weeks. Store Retin-A at room temperature away from moisture and heat. The gel formulations of Retin-A are flammable, keep them away from open flame.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Use the medication as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and wait until your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not apply extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Tretinoin topical is not expected to cause overdose symptoms.

What should I avoid while using Retin-A?

Avoid exposure to sunlight or artificial UV rays (sunlamps or tanning beds). Tretinoin topical can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and sunburn may result. Use a sunscreen (minimum SPF 15) and wear protective clothing if you must be out in the sun. Avoid getting this medication in your eyes, mouth, and nose, or on your lips. If it does get into any of these areas, wash with water. Do not use Retin-A on skin that is sunburned, windburned, dry, chapped, or irritated. Also avoid using this medication in wounds or on areas of eczema. Wait until these conditions have healed before using Retin-A.

Avoid using skin products that can cause irritation, such harsh soaps, shampoos, or skin cleansers, hair coloring or permanent chemicals, hair removers or waxes, or skin products with alcohol, spices, astringents, or lime. Do not use other medication skin products unless your doctor has told you to.

Tretinoin topical side effects

Stop using this medication and get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Other, less serious side effects are more likely to occur. Continue to use the medication and talk to your doctor if you have any of these side effects: burning, warmth, stinging, tingling, itching, redness, swelling, dryness, peeling, irritation, or discolored skin.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect Retin-A?

Do not use skin products that contain benzoyl peroxide, sulfur, resorcinol, or salicylic acid unless otherwise directed by your doctor. These products can cause severe skin irritation if used with Retin-A.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you use any of the following medicines, which can make your skin more sensitive to natural and artifical sunlight:

• a diuretic (water pill) such as hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, HydroDiuril), chlorothiazide (Diuril), chlorthalidone (Hygroton, Thalitone), and others;
• tetracycline (Sumycin, Panmycin, Robitet), minocycline (Minocin), doxycycline (Doryx, Vibramycin), demeclocycline (Declomycin), and others;
• an antibiotic such as lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), sparfloxacin (Zagam), ciprofloxacin (Cipro), ofloxacin (Floxin), and others;
• a sulfa drug such as Bactrim, Septra, Cotrim, and others; or
• chlorpromazine (Thorazine), prochlorperazine (Compazine), fluphenazine (Permitil, Prolixin), promethazine (Phenergan, Promethegan), perphenazine (Trilafon), and others.

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect Retin-A. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.