Tretinoin

Description

Tretinoin is a naturally occurring derivative of vitamin A and is used for the treatment of acne and reduce wrinkles of the face. It is also used to treat a type of cancer where the blood cells fail to mature.

Side effects

Major & minor side effects for Tretinoin

  • Skin irritation
  • Burning or tingling sensation of skin
  • Red spots on skin
  • Peeling and blistering of skin
  • Patchy appearance of skin
  • Photosensitivity of skin
  • Nausea and Vomiting
  • Fever with body pain
  • Dry mucous membrane
  • Blood cell disorder
  • Difficulty in breathing
  • Dizziness and fainting
  • Coffee colored vomit
  • Hearing loss
  • Unusual bleeding or bruising

Uses of Tretinoin

What is it prescribed for?

  • Acne vulgaris
  • Wrinkled and rough/mottled skin
  • Acute promyelocytic leukemia
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Concerns

Commonly asked questions

  • Onset of action
    The effect of this medicine can be observed within 2-4 weeks of topical application.
  • Duration of effect
    The time duration for which this medicine remains effective is not clinically established.
  • Safe with alcohol?
    Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
  • Is it habit forming?
    No habit forming tendencies were reported.
  • Usage in pregnancy?
    Use of this medicine by pregnant women is not recommended. Use appropriate contraception and avoid getting pregnant while using this medicine. Contact your doctor and discuss the risks if a pregnancy is suspected.
  • Usage while breast-feeding?
    This medicine is not recommended for use by women who are breastfeeding. It can be used if the potential benefits outweigh the risks involved with use. You should not breastfeed while the topical form of this medicine is applied.

Allergy

This medicine is not recommended for use if you have a known history of allergy to tretinoin/isotretinoin/retinoids or any other component present in the dosage form.
Warnings for special population

Pregnancy

Use of this medicine by pregnant women is not recommended. Use appropriate contraception and avoid getting pregnant while using this medicine. Contact your doctor and discuss the risks if a pregnancy is suspected.

Breast-feeding

This medicine is not recommended for use by women who are breastfeeding. It can be used if the potential benefits outweigh the risks involved with use. You should not breastfeed while the topical form of this medicine is applied.
General warnings

Oral use

The oral form of this medicine should be used under clinical supervision only. Appropriate diagnostic tests should be performed to ensure safe and effective use of this medicine.

Exposure to sun

Use of this medicine can cause adverse reactions of the skin on sun exposure. You should either avoid stepping out at daytime or take appropriate precautionary measures.

Other skin creams

This medicine may interact with other skin care or medicinal products. Consult your doctor before starting the use of other products along with this medicine.

Contraception

Appropriate means of birth control should be adopted while using this medicine. It can cause oral/hormonal contraception failure and hence use of multiple contraception is advised. Contact your doctor immediately if you suspect a pregnancy while using this medicine.

Initial discomfort

This medicine may cause discomfort after use in some people. Contact your doctor if the symptoms do not subside or become severe.

Missed Dose

Apply the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next scheduled dose then missed dose application can be skipped. Contact your doctor immediately if you miss an oral dose of this medicine.

Overdose

Chances of an overdose with a topical application are very less. However, if the medicine is consumed orally then overdose may happen. Contact your doctor immediately in case of an oral overdose.
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

Tetracycline

Benzoyl Peroxide (Topical)

Salicylic Acid

Methoxsalen

Disease interactions

Eczema

This medicine should not be used if you are taking medicine for eczema or suffer from a skin abrasion.

Sunburn

Use of this medicine on the sunburnt skin should be avoided. Your doctor may prescribe an alternate medicine that is better tolerated.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Use Tretinoin as instructed by the doctor. The topical form should not be taken by mouth or applied into eyes or open wounds. All usage instructions mentioned on the label or package insert should be followed. Apply the medicine is right quantities for the prescribed duration of time.
Miscelleneous

Usage does not depend on food timings

To be taken as instructed by doctor

Does not cause sleepiness

How it works
This medicine works by affecting the growth and maturation of skin cells. It also affects the maturation of blood cells in a certain specific type of cancer.
Legal Status

Approved

Approved

Approved

Approved

Classification

Category

Topical acne agents

Schedule

Schedule H

[Internet]. 2017 [cited 7 May 2017]. Available from:

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/33238

Tretinoin - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2017 [cited 7 May 2017]. Available from:

https://www.drugbank.ca/drugs/DB00755

DailyMed - Tretinoin cream [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 16 November 2017]. Available from:

https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=745cc3ce-60b4-4479-a055-316817567949

Prescribing medicines in pregnancy database [Internet]. Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). 2017 [cited 16 November 2017]. Available from:

http://www.tga.gov.au/prescribing-medicines-pregnancy-database

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Information on this page was last updated on 16 Nov 2017

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.