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Important information (prices are in US Dollars)
Retin-A is used for:
Treating acne. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor. Retin-A is a vitamin A derivative. How it exerts its beneficial effects against acne is not fully known. Tretinoin appears to increase skin-cell turnover and to reduce the tendency for skin cells to stick together. This reduces the formation of acne and allows quicker healing of acne that does develop.
Do NOT use Retin-A if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Retin-A
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Retin-A:
Some medical conditions may interact with Retin-A. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have eczema, an abnormally high white blood cell count, or a sunburn
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Retin-A. Because little, if any, of Retin-A is absorbed into the blood, the risk of it interacting with another medicine is low. Ask your health care provider if Retin-A may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Retin-A:
Use Retin-A as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
For Acne:
- Retin-A is for external use only.
- Apply a thin film of medicine to the affected area. Rub in gently.
- Remove all cosmetics with a mild soap before applying Retin-A. Gently dry the area. Wait 20 to 30 minutes to make sure that your skin is completely dry.
- Wash your hands immediately after using Retin-A.
- If you miss a dose of Retin-A, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.
For improvement in skin texture and fine lines:
Patients require detailed instruction to obtain maximal benefits and to understand all the precautions necessary to use this product with greatest safety. The physician should review the Patient Package Insert.
Retin-A should be applied to the face once a day in the evening, using only enough to cover the entire affected area lightly. Patients should gently wash their face with a mild soap, pat the skin dry, and wait 20 to 30 minutes before applying Retin-A. The patient should apply a pea-sized amount of cream to cover the entire affected face lightly. Caution should be taken when applying the cream to avoid the eyes, ears, nostrils, and mouth.
Application of Retin-A may cause a transitory feeling of warmth or slight stinging.
Mitigation (palliation) of facial fine wrinkling, mottled hyperpigmentation and tactile roughness may occur gradually over the course of therapy. Up to six months of therapy may be required before the effects are seen. Most of the improvement noted with Retin-A 0.05% is seen during the first 24 weeks of therapy. Thereafter, therapy primarily maintains the improvement realized during the first 24 weeks.
With discontinuation of Retin-A 0.05% therapy, a majority of patients will lose most mitigating effects of Retin-A 0.05% on fine wrinkles, mottled hyperpigmentation, and tactile roughness of facial skin; however, the safety and effectiveness of using Retin-A 0.05% daily for greater than 48 weeks have not been established.
Application of larger amounts of medication than recommended may not lead to more rapid or better results, and marked redness, peeling, or discomfort may occur.
Patients treated with Retin-A may use cosmetics but the areas to be treated should be cleansed before the medication is applied
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Retin-A.
Important safety information:
- Avoid getting Retin-A in your eyes, nose, or mouth. If you get Retin-A in your eyes, rinse thoroughly with water.
- Retin-A may cause you to become sunburned more easily. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Retin-A. Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time.
- For the first 2 to 3 weeks of treatment, your skin condition may appear to worsen. This is expected. Do not stop using Retin-A at this time.
- Talk with your doctor before you use any other medicines or products on your skin. While you are using Retin-A, you may use cosmetics.
- Do not apply Retin-A to skin that is sunburned. Wait until the burn is fully healed before using Retin-A.
- Do NOT use more than the recommended dose or use for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor.
- Avoid using other topical medication, cosmetics, or other products that have a strong drying effect. If you have dry skin from using these products, allow your skin to "rest" before using Retin-A.
- Do not use Retin-A for any condition other than that for which it was prescribed.
- Weather extremes, such as windy or cold weather, may irritate your skin more while you are using Retin-A.
- Retin-A may cause harm if it is swallowed. If you may have taken it by mouth, contact your poison control center or emergency room right away.
- Retin-A is flammable. Do not store or use near an open flame.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Retin-A while you are pregnant. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Retin-A , check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.
Possible side effects of Retin-A:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
- Redness, peeling at application site; sensitivity to sunlight; skin irritation; warmth or stinging at application site.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
- Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); severe redness, peeling, swelling, blistering, or crusting of the skin.
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