Drug title

Retin-A (Tretinoin)

Usage indications

Retin-A is often applied for skin problems treatment. This drug makes medium, external skin layer. Retin-A makes action on both external and internal skin areas. Its’ main advantage lies in its capacity to diminish the skin photo aging effects by growing the speed of upper cells replacement.

Application mode

Put some of the drug onto the infected part once a day before sleep. Take cheesecloth or cotton tampon for liquid application. Clean hands right after usage. The dosage increase is hardly to improve results but the possibility of side effects might be increased. Avoid the zone of eyes, mouth, or open wounds as this drug can affect infected skin.  

At the beginning the amount of acne might be increased but within three- six weeks the effect will be seen. Use specific washing liquid for face washing. Do not do face washing too much. 

Peel-off soaps, cleaners or special medical cremes and lotions will make skin irritation to grow. Discuss with your doctor or pharmacist their usage issues. Use other drugs for acne treatment cautiously during this drug intake.

Drug Type and Mechanism of action

Tretinoin is a vitamin A derivative. Topical Tretinoin is applied for the treatment of soft to medium acne or sun damaged skin. Tretinoin prompts skin irritation and skin cells quicker division but thus increasing its turnover. This reduces the amount of derma shim. This drug act by replacing the cells with existing acne to new cells and the cells quicker  flow does not allow new acne formation.

The same way Tretinoin can reduce some folds, dark skin parts and rough areas. The effect is usually seen after first 3-4 weeks of treatment. Brown spots  start disappearing after six – eight weeks. Folds diminish or fade away within 3-6 months. This medication small amount gets absorbed into the body. Topical Tretinoin had been approved by FDA in 1971.

Missed dose

Take it as soon as possible if you missed its intake. If it happened during next dosage intake time take missed dose and then follow intake schedule. The intake of two pills in one day is prohibited.

Storage

Store at room temperature and keep away from sun and children.

Warnings/Precautions

This drug can make sunlight, wind and cold sensitivity to grow. Avoid long stay at the sun and solarium. Wear sun protection clothes and sun protection creme. Use it cautiously during pregnancy. Retin-A absorption by mother milk had not been studied. Consult with your doctor before nursing.

Possible Side Effects

Apply drug on small skin area. Do not come to sun or under ultraviolet rays and use sun protection creme during treatment. During first several weeks of treatment the skin condition might get worse. Such reaction is ok as little cysts inside the skin are quickly decreased. You can become sensitive to wind and cold during this drug usage. Do not stay long under sun or solarium. Use sun protection clothes  and creme. Stop usage in case of hypersensitivity. 

Additional information

• Serious side effects are rare. Discontinue tretinoin topica usage and ask for urgent medical help in case of allergy  (short breath; asthma, lips, face, or tongue; or hives edema).
• Contact your doctor in case of burning, warmth, stinging, tingling, itching, redness, swelling, dryness, peeling, or irritation during this drug intake. Your dosage might be decreased or become less frequent. 
• Contact your doctor in case of skin color changes.
• Other side effects not listed here might occur as well. Inform your doctor on any unusual side effects which might irritate you.