| Renova
F.A.Q. |
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Generic Name: tretinoin topical
(TREH tih noyn)
Brand Names:
Altinac, Avita, Renova, Retin A Micro
Gel, Retin-A |
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What is the most important
information I should know about tretinoin
topical? |
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Avoid exposure to sunlight or artificial UV
rays (e.g., sunlamps). Tretinoin topical may
increase the sensitivity of your skin to
sunlight and sunburn may result. Use a sunscreen
(minimum SPF 15) and wear protective clothing
when exposure to the sun or UV rays is
unavoidable. |
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• |
Do not use tretinoin topical 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 tretinoin
topical. |
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• |
Your skin may be more sensitive to weather
extremes such as cold and wind. Protect your
skin with clothing and use a moisturizing cream
or lotion as needed. |
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• |
Do not apply tretinoin topical to eyes,
ears, nostrils, mouth, angles of your nose,
mucous membranes, open sores, or irritated skin.
If you get medication in any of these areas,
rinse it off with
water. |
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• |
Avoid as much as possible products that can
increase skin irritation such as other skin
medicines (unless prescribed by your doctor);
medicated or abrasive (rough) soaps or skin
cleansers; permanent wave solutions; chemical
hair removers or waxes; electrolysis; products
with alcohol, spices, astringents, or lime;
cleansers, shampoos, or cosmetics with a strong
drying effect; or other products that may
irritate your skin. |
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What is tretinoin
topical? |
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Tretinoin is a topical form of vitamin A. It
helps the skin to renew itself more quickly and
therefore reduces pimple and blackhead
formation, and may improve the appearance and
texture of skin. |
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The Retin-A and Avita brands of tretinoin
topical are used to treat acne. The Renova brand
of tretinoin topical is used to reduce the
appearance of fine wrinkles and mottled skin
discoloration, and to make rough facial skin
feel smoother. |
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Tretinoin topical may also be used for
purposes other than those listed in this
medication guide. |
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What should I discuss with my
healthcare provider before using tretinoin
topical? |
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Do not use tretinoin topical 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 tretinoin
topical. |
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Tretinoin topical is the FDA pregnancy
category C. This means that it is not known
whether tretinoin topical will harm an unborn
baby. The oral form of this medication is known
to cause birth defects. Therefore, it is
recommended that the use of tretinoin topical be
avoided during pregnancy. Do not use tretinoin
topical without first talking to your doctor if
you are pregnant or thinking about becoming
pregnant. |
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Tretinoin topical passes into breast milk.
Do not use tretinoin topical without first
talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding
a baby. |
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How should I use tretinoin
topical? |
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Use tretinoin topical exactly as directed by
your doctor. If you do not understand these
instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or
doctor to explain them to
you. |
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Wash your hands before and after applying
this medication. |
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Tretinoin topical is usually applied once
daily at bedtime. Follow your doctor's
instructions. |
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Clean and pat dry the area of skin where you
will apply tretinoin topical. Applying tretinoin
topical to wet skin may cause skin irritation.
If you are using Renova, wait approximately 20
to 30 minutes after washing your face before
applying the medication. Apply a light covering
of the cream, gel, or solution to the
area. |
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Do not wash the treated area for at least 1
hours after applying tretinoin topical. Avoid
the use of any topical products on the treated
area for at least 1 hour following application
of this medication. |
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Do not apply tretinoin topical to eyes,
ears, nostrils, mouth, angles of your nose,
mucous membranes, open sores, or irritated skin.
If you get medication in any of these areas,
rinse it off with
water. |
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Application of an excessive amount of the
tretinoin gel may result in "pilling" of the
medication. This does not reduce the
effectiveness of the medication, but if pilling
occurs, you should use less medication with the
next application. |
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Tretinoin topical should be used as part of
a comprehensive skin care and sunlight avoidance
program that includes the use of effective
sunscreens (minimum SPF of 15) and protective
clothing. |
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Do not stop using tretinoin topical if you
do not see improvement in your condition
immediately. Treatment with tretinoin topical
may be necessary for weeks or months before
improvement is seen. If you are using tretinoin
topical to treat acne, a temporary worsening of
acne may occur at the start of therapy. Using
more tretinoin topical or applying it more
frequently than prescribed will not make it work
any faster, and it may increase side effects.
Check with your doctor if skin irritation
becomes severe or if the acne does not improve
within 8 to 12 weeks. |
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The Renova brand of tretinoin topical will
not eliminate wrinkles, repair sun damaged skin,
reverse photoaging, or restore more youthful or
younger skin. |
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Store tretinoin topical at room temperature
away from moisture and heat. The gel
formulations of Retin-A are flammable, keep them
away from open flame. |
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What happens if I miss a
dose? |
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Apply the missed dose as soon as you
remember. Do not apply a double dose of
tretinoin topical. |
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What happens if I
overdose? |
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An overdose of this medication is unlikely
to occur. If you do suspect an overdose, or if
tretinoin topical has been ingested, call an
emergency room or poison control left near
you. |
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What should I avoid while using
tretinoin
topical? |
|
• |
Avoid exposure to sunlight or artificial UV
rays (e.g., sunlamps). Tretinoin topical may
increase the sensitivity of your skin to
sunlight and sunburn may result. Use a sunscreen
(minimum SPF 15) and wear protective clothing
when exposure to the sun or UV rays is
unavoidable. |
|
• |
Do not use tretinoin topical 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 tretinoin
topical. |
|
• |
Your skin may be more sensitive to weather
extremes such as cold and wind. Protect your
skin with clothing and use a moisturizing cream
or lotion as needed. |
|
• |
Avoid as much as possible products that can
increase skin irritation such as other skin
medicines (unless prescribed by your doctor);
medicated or abrasive (rough) soaps or skin
cleansers; permanent wave solutions; chemical
hair removers or waxes; electrolysis; products
with alcohol, spices, astringents, or lime;
cleansers, shampoos, or cosmetics with a strong
drying effect; or other products that may
irritate your skin. |
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What are the possible side effects of
tretinoin
topical? |
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Serious side effects are not likely to
occur. Stop using tretinoin topical and seek
emergency medical attention if you experience an
allergic reaction (shortness of breath; closing
of your throat; swelling of your lips, face, or
tongue; or hives). |
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You may experience some burning, warmth,
stinging, tingling, itching, redness, swelling,
dryness, peeling, or irritation while you are
using tretinoin topical. If these side effects
are excessive, talk to your doctor. You may need
a lower dose or less frequent applications of
tretinoin topical. |
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If you notice a change in your skin color,
contact your doctor. |
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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. |
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What other drugs will affect
tretinoin
topical? |
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Do not use tretinoin topical without first
talking to your doctor if you are taking any of
the following
medicines: |
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a thiazide diuretic such as
hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, HydroDiuril, Esidrix,
Microzide, Oretic), chlorothiazide (Diuril),
chlorthalidone (Hygroton, Thalitone), indapamide
(Lozol), metolazone (Mykrox, Zaroxolyn), and
others; |
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a tetracycline antibiotic such as
tetracycline (Sumycin, Panmycin, Robitet,
others), minocycline (Dynacin, Minocin,
Vectrin), doxycycline (Doryx, Monodox,
Vibramycin, Vibra-Tabs), demeclocycline
(Declomycin), and
others; |
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a fluoroquinolone antibiotic such as
lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), sparfloxacin (Zagam),
ciprofloxacin (Cipro), ofloxacin (Floxin), and
others; |
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a sulfonamide antibiotic such as
sulfamethoxazole (Gantanol), sulfisoxazole
(Gantrisin), sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim
(Bactrim, Septra, Cotrim), and others;
or |
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a phenothiazine such as chlorpromazine
(Thorazine), prochlorperazine (Compazine),
fluphenazine (Permitil, Prolixin), promethazine
(Phenergan, Promethegan), perphenazine
(Trilafon), and
others. |
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The medications listed above may increase
the sensitivity of your skin to UV rays from
sunlight or artificial light (e.g., sunlamps).
Generally, tretinoin topical should not be used
with any of the medicines listed
above. |
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Do not use products containing benzoyl
peroxide, sulfur, resorcinol, or salicylic acid
during treatment with tretinoin topical unless
otherwise directed by your doctor. The
combination could lead to severe skin
irritation. |
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• |
Avoid as much as possible products that can
increase skin irritation such as other skin
medicines (unless prescribed by your doctor);
medicated or abrasive (rough) soaps or skin
cleansers; permanent wave solutions; chemical
hair removers or waxes; electrolysis; products
with alcohol, spices, astringents, or lime;
cleansers, shampoos, or cosmetics with a strong
drying effect; or other products that may
irritate your skin. |
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• |
Drugs other than those listed here may also
interact with tretinoin topical. Talk to your
doctor and pharmacist before taking any
prescription or over-the-counter
medicines. |
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Where can I get more
information? |
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Your pharmacist has additional information
about tretinoin topical written for health
professionals that you may
read. |
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Remember, keep this and all other medicines
out of the reach of children, never share your
medicines with others, and use this medication
only for the indication
prescribed. |
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Every effort has been made to ensure that
the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc.
('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and
complete, but no guarantee is made to that
effect. Drug information contained herein may be
time sensitive. Multum information has been
compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and
consumers in the United States and therefore
Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the
United States are appropriate, unless
specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug
information does not endorse drugs, diagnose
patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug
information is an informational resource
designed to assist licensed healthcare
practitioners in caring for their patients
and/or to serve consumers viewing this service
as a supplement to, and not a substitute for,
the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of
healthcare practitioners. The absence of a
warning for a given drug or drug combination in
no way should be construed to indicate that the
drug or drug combination is safe, effective or
appropriate for any given patient. Multum does
not assume any responsibility for any aspect of
healthcare administered with the aid of
information Multum provides. The information
contained herein is not intended to cover all
possible uses, directions, precautions,
warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions,
or adverse effects. If you have questions about
the drugs you are taking, check with your
doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
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