Home >
Medicine Info >
Retino AC Gel
Loading interface...

Retino AC Gel

Manufactured byJohnson & Johnson
ContainsTretinoin (0.025 %w/w) + Clindamycin (1 %w/w)
Description
Retino AC Gel is used for the treatment of acne (a skin condition that occurs when your hair follicles get clogged with oil and dead skin cells). Retino AC Gel is a combination of Tretinoin and Clindamycin. Tretinoin normalizes the growth of your skin cells and causes the shedding of the cells that clog your hair follicles. This prevents the build-up of sebum and the formation of acne. Clindamycin works by blocking the formation of proteins required for bacterial growth and thereby prevents further growth and multiplication of bacteria. Retino AC Gel may cause burning sensation, redness, dryness, etc at the site of application. Consult your doctor if these symptoms persist or worsen. Retino AC Gel should be applied topically to the affected part of your skin as directed by your doctor. Continue using the medicine for the prescribed duration to effectively treat your condition. Retino AC Gel should be avoided if you are allergic to it. This medicine is not recommended for use in children below 12 years of age. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are planning a pregnancy, consult your doctor before using this medication.
QUICK LINKS:
Side effectsConcernsUsage

Side effects

Major & minor side effects for Retino AC Gel

  • Burning sensation at the application site
  • Swelling and redness at the application site
  • Dryness and scaling at the application site
  • Photosensitivity of skin

Uses of Retino AC Gel

What is it prescribed for?

  • Acne vulgaris
Read More
Concerns

Commonly asked questions

  • How long does it take for this medicine to take effect?
    The time required by Retino AC Gel to show its effect is not clinically known.
  • How long do the effects of this medicine last?
    The duration for which Retino AC Gel remains effective is not clinically known.
  • Is it safe to consume alcohol while taking this medicine?
    Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
  • Is this a habit forming medicine?
    No habit-forming tendencies have been reported with Retino AC Gel.
  • Can this medicine be taken during pregnancy?
    Retino AC Gel may cause severe side effects in your developing foetus and is not recommended for use during pregnancy.
  • Can this medicine be taken while breast-feeding?
    It is not known if Retino AC Gel passes into breastmilk. This medicine is not recommended for use during breastfeeding.

Allergy

Avoid Retino AC Gel if you are allergic to it. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of your face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulty, etc.

Gastrointestinal disorders

Retino AC Gel is not recommended if you have a history of stomach/intestinal problems such as inflammatory bowel disease (a group of conditions characterized by pain and swelling of your intestines), diarrhoea or abdominal cramps associated with antibiotic use, etc due to the increased risk of worsening your condition.

Skin Cancer

Retino AC Gel is not recommended if you have a personal and/or family history of skin cancer.

Eczema

Eczema, which is also called atopic dermatitis, is a condition that causes your skin to become dry, red, and itchy (usually on your arms and behind the knees). Retino AC Gel is not recommended if you have eczema due to the increased risk of severe skin irritation.

Rosacea

Rosacea is a skin condition that causes redness and small, pus-filled bumps on your face. Retino AC Gel is not recommended if you have eczema due to the increased risk of worsening your condition.

Inflammatory skin conditions

Retino AC Gel is not recommended if you have inflammatory skin conditions (skin problems associated with swelling) such as folliculitis (swelling of your hair follicles, which are the pockets from which your hair grows), perioral dermatitis (swelling of the skin around your mouth), Acne conglobata and Acne fulminans (severe forms of acne) due to the increased risk of worsening your condition.
Warnings for special population

Pregnancy

Retino AC Gel may cause severe side effects in your developing foetus and is not recommended for use during pregnancy.

Breast-feeding

It is not known if Retino AC Gel passes into breastmilk. This medicine is not recommended for use during breastfeeding.
General warnings

Photosensitivity

Retino AC Gel may cause photosensitivity (increased sensitivity of your skin to sunlight). Hence avoid excessive exposure to sunlight, wear protective clothing, and use sunscreen with a high sun protection factor while on treatment with this medicine.

Other medicines

Retino AC Gel may interact with other medicines meant for topical use (external use). Concomitant use of this medicine and other medicines meant for topical use on the same area of your skin should therefore be avoided. Inform your doctor about the topical preparations (ointments/lotions/gels) that you may have been using to avoid undesired side effects.

Use with caution

Use of more than the recommended dose or too frequent application of Retino AC Gel may cause redness, stinging sensation, and discomfort. If severe irritation occurs, consult your doctor.

Use in children

Retino AC Gel is not recommended for use in children below 12 years of age due to a lack of safety and efficacy studies.

External use only

Retino AC Gel is meant for external use only. Avoid contact with your eyes. In case of accidental contact with your eyes, rinse thoroughly with water. Seek immediate medical help in case of accidental ingestion.

Antibiotic resistance

Antibiotic resistance occurs when the bacteria develop the ability to defeat the effects of the medicine that was intended to kill them. Hence, to avoid such resistance, you should always complete the entire course of treatment with Retino AC Gel as prescribed by your doctor.

Women of childbearing potential

Retino AC Gel may cause severe side effects in the developing foetus. Hence it is recommended to avoid pregnancy while on treatment with Retino AC Gel and for one month after discontinuation of treatment with this medicine.

Missed Dose

Apply the missed dose of Retino AC Gel as soon as you remember. Do not apply a double dose to make up for the missed one.

Overdose

Excessive use of Retino AC Gel may cause redness, peeling or discomfort at the application site. Hence do not apply more than the prescribed dose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol

Description

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.

Instructions

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine

Anticoagulants

Disease interactions

Disease

Information not available.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
This is not an exhaustive list of possible drug interactions. You should consult your doctor about all the possible interactions of the drugs you’re taking.
Retino AC Gel is meant for external use only. Use it as directed by your doctor. Close the cover of the tube immediately after use to keep it clean and free from contamination. Do not wipe or rinse the tip of the tube. Use Retino AC Gel at around the same time every day for the ease of remembrance. Do not cover the application area with bandages or other coverings unless directed by your doctor. Do not give Retino AC Gel to others even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.
Miscelleneous

Usage does not depend on food timings

To be taken as instructed by doctor

Does not cause sleepiness

How it works
Retino AC Gel is a combination of Tretinoin and Clindamycin. Tretinoin normalizes the growth of your skin cells and causes the shedding of the cells that clog your hair follicles. This prevents the build-up of sebum and the formation of acne. Clindamycin works by stopping the growth of bacteria. It acts by blocking the formation of proteins necessary for bacterial growth and treats the infection.
Legal Status

Approved

Unknown

Unknown

Approved

Classification

Category

Topical anti-acne agents

Schedule

Schedule H

Medicines.org.uk. 2021. Treclin 1 %/0.025 % w/w Gel - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc). [online] Available at: < [Accessed 6 December 2021].

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/5371/smpc>

Medicines.org.uk. 2021. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 6 December 2021].

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.5371.pdf>

Ebs.tga.gov.au. 2021. TGA eBS - Product and Consumer Medicine Information Licence. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 6 December 2021].

https://www.ebs.tga.gov.au/ebs/picmi/picmirepository.nsf/pdf?OpenAgent&id=CP-2016-PI-01550-1>

Drugs, H., 2021. Clindamycin Topical: MedlinePlus Drug Information. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: < [Accessed 6 December 2021].

https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a609005.html>

Drugs, H., 2021. Tretinoin Topical: MedlinePlus Drug Information. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: < [Accessed 6 December 2021].

https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682437.html>
Loading related questions...
Something doesn’t feel right?
Report an error

Information on this page was last updated on 7 Dec 2021

Disclaimer

We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.