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Brand:
Retin-A
Pronunciation: Ret-in-A
Generic Name: Tretinoin
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Retin-A contains the skin medication Tretinoin. Retin-A
is used in the treatment of acne. Retin-A is available
in liquid, cream, or gel form, and in a stronger gel called
Retin-A Micro. |
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While using Retin-A, keep exposure to sunlight, including
sunlamps, to a minimum. If you have a sunburn, do not use the
medication until you have fully recovered. Use of sunscreen
products (at least SPF 15) and protective clothing overtreated
areas is recommended when exposure to the sun cannot be avoided.
Weather extremes, such as wind and cold, may be irritating and
should also be avoided while using these products. |
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Retin-A should be applied once a day, at bedtime, to
the skin where acne appears, using enough to lightly cover
the affected area. The liquid form may be applied using a
fingertip, gauze pad, or cotton swab. If you use gauze or
cotton, avoid over saturation, which might cause the liquid
to run into areas where treatment is not intended.
You may use cosmetics while being treated with these products;however,
you should thoroughly cleanse the areas to be treated before
applying the medication. If your skin becomes too dry, you
may want to use petroleum jelly or another emollient during
the day.
If there is no immediate improvement, or new blemishes appear,
don't get discouraged; it takes weeks for the medicine to
take effect. Continue applying the prescribed amount. (Do
not increase the dosage; it may irritate your skin.) Do not
stop treatment when improvement finally occurs. You must continue
therapy to maintain the beneficial effect.
If
you miss a dose... Resume your regular schedule the next day.
Storage
instructions... Store at ordinary room temperature.
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If you are sensitive to or have ever had an allergic reaction
to Retin-A, or Renova,
avoid using them.
The safety and effectiveness of long-term use of Retin-A
in the treatment of disorders other than acne have not been
established.
The safety and effectiveness of Retin-A have not been
established in children under age 18, adults over age 50, and
people with heavily pigmented skin, nor in periods of greater
than 48 weeks of daily use. |
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Be sure to keep these products away from the eyes, mouth, angles
of the nose, and mucous membranes.
Retin-A may cause a brief feeling of warmth or slight
stinging when applied. If it causes an abnormal irritation,
redness, blistering, or peeling of the skin, notify your doctor.
He may suggest that you use Retin-A less frequently,
discontinue use temporarily, or discontinue use altogether.
If a severe sensitivity reaction or chemical irritation occurs,
you will probably need to stop using the drug.
If you have eczema (skin inflammation consisting of itching
and small blisters that ooze and crust over) or other chronic
skin conditions, use these products with extreme caution, as
they may cause severe irritation.
During the early weeks of acne therapy, a worsening of the condition
may occur due to the action of Retin-A on deep, previously
unseen areas of inflammation. This is not a reason to discontinue
therapy, but do notify your doctor if it occurs.
Retin-A gel is flammable and should be kept away from
heat and flame. |
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If these medications are used with certain other drugs, the
effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered.
It is especially important to check with your doctor before
combining Retin-A with the following:
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Preparations
containing benzoyl peroxide, such as Benzac AC Wash 5,
Benzshave Desquam-E, PanOxyl |
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Preparations
containing sulfur (ointments and other preparations used
to treat skin disorders and infections) |
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Resorcinol
(a drug, used in ointments to treat acne, that causes
skin to peel) |
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Salicylic
acid (a drug that kills bacteria and fungi and causes
skin to peel) |
"Resting"
your skin is recommended between use of the above preparations
and treatment with Retin-A.
Do not use Retin-A if you are taking other drugs that
increase sensitivity to sunlight. These include:
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Certain
antibiotics, including Cipro, Noroxin, and tetracycline
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Major
tranquilizers such as Thorazine and Mellaril |
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Sulfa
drugs such as Bactrim and Septra |
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Thiazide
drugs (water pills) such as Diuril and HydroDIURIL |
Caution
should be exercised when using Retin-A in combination
with other topical medications, medicated or abrasive soaps
and cleansers, soaps and cosmetics that have a strong drying
effect, products with high concentrations of alcohol, astringents,
spices, or lime (especially the peel), permanent wave solutions,
electrolysis, hair depilatories or waxes, or other preparations
that may dry or irritate the skin.
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If you have sensitive skin, the use of Retin-A may cause
your skin to become excessively red, puffy, blistered, or crusted.
If this happens, notify your doctor, who may recommend that
you discontinue the medication until your skin returns to normal,
or adjust the medication to a level that you can tolerate.
An unusual darkening of the skin or lack of color of the skin
may occur temporarily with repeated application of Retin-A.
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If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, do not use these
products. It is not known whether the drug appears in breast
milk. Use with caution when breast-feeding. |
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Retin-A:
Apply once
a day at bedtime.
You should begin to notice results after 2 to 3 weeks of treatment.
More than 6 or 7 weeks of treatment are needed before consistent
beneficial effects appear.
Once acne has responded satisfactorily, it may be possible to
maintain the improvement with less frequent applications or
other dosage forms. However,any change in formulation, drug
concentration, or dose frequency should be closely monitored
by your doctor to determine your tolerance and response.
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Applying Retin-A excessively will not produce faster
or better results, and marked redness, peeling, or discomfort
could occur.
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