Retin-A
Brand
name:Retin-A
Pronounced: Retin-A
Generic name: Tretinoin
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Why
is Retin-A prescribed?
Retin-A,
Avita, and Renova contain the skin medication tretinoin. Retin-A
and Avita are used in the treatment of acne. Renova is prescribed
to reduce fine wrinkles, discoloration, and roughness on facial
skin (as part of a comprehensive program of skin care and sun
avoidance).
Retin-A
is available in liquid, cream, or gel form, and in a stronger
gel called Retin-A Micro. Avita comes only as a gel. Renova
is available in cream form only.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Most
important fact about Retin-A
While
using Retin-A, Avita, or Renova, 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
over treated 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.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Buy
Retin-A (Tretinoin) Now !
How
should you take Retin-A?
Retin-A
and Avita should be applied once a day, in the evening, 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 oversaturation,
which might cause the liquid to run into areas where treatment
is not intended.
Renova
is also applied once daily in the evening. Use only enough to
lightly cover the affected area. Before you use Renova, wash
your face with a mild soap, pat your skin dry, and wait 20 to
30 minutes. Then apply a dab of Renova cream the size of a pea
and spread it lightly over your face, avoiding your eyes, ears,
nostrils, mouth, and open wounds.
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. Do not freeze Renova.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Buy
Retin-A (Tretinoin) Now !
What
side effects may occur?
If
you have sensitive skin, the use of Avita or 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 Avita or Retin-A.
Side
effects of these medications are generally not severe and may
include burning, dry skin, itching, peeling, redness, and stinging.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Why
should Retin-A not be prescribed?
If
you are sensitive to or have ever had an allergic reaction to
either of these products, 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 Renova 0.05 percent cream have not
been established in children under age 18, adults over age 50,
and people with heavily pigmented or sun-damaged skin, nor in
periods of greater than 48 weeks of daily use.
The
safety and effectiveness of Renova 0.02 percent cream have not
been established in children under age 18, adults over age 71,
and people with sun-damaged skin, nor in periods of greater
than 52 weeks of daily use.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Special
warnings about Retin-A
Be
sure to keep these products away from the eyes, mouth, angles
of the nose, and mucous membranes.
The
medication 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 the medication 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 Avita or 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 and Avita are flammable and should be kept away from heat
and flame.
Renova
will not eliminate wrinkles, repair damage done by the sun,
or reverse the aging process. After you stop using Renova, it
is best to continue using a sunscreen and avoiding the sun.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Buy
Retin-A (Tretinoin) Now !
Possible
food and drug interactions
when taking this medication
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 Avita or Retin-A with the following:
- Preparations
containing benzoyl peroxide, such as Benzac AC Wash 5, Benzshave,
Desquam-E, PanOxyl
- Preparations
containing sulfur (ointments and other preparations used to
treat skin disorders and infections)
- Resorcinol
(a drug, used in ointments to treat acne, that causes skin
to peel)
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 Avita or Retin-A.
Do
not use Renova if you are taking other drugs that increase sensitivity
to sunlight. These include:
- Certain
antibiotics, including Cipro, Noroxin, and tetracycline
- Major
tranquilizers such as Thorazine and Mellaril
- Sulfa
drugs such as Bactrim and Septra
- Thiazide
drugs (water pills) such as Diuril and HydroDIURIL
Caution
should be exercised when using Avita, Retin-A, or Renova 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.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Special information
if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
The effects of Retin-A during pregnancy have not been adequately
studied. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, inform
your doctor immediately.
Do not use Renova or Avita during pregnancy or
if there is a good chance that you will become pregnant.
It is not known whether the drug appears in breast
milk. Use with caution when breastfeeding.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Recommended dosage
RETIN-A AND AVITA
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Apply once a day in the evening.
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.
RENOVA
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Apply just enough to lightly cover the affected
area once daily at bedtime. Do not apply more than the recommended
amount; it will not improve results and may cause increased discomfort.
You will see the most improvement during the first 24 weeks of
therapy. After that, Renova will simply maintain the improvement.
When therapy is stopped, the improvement will gradually diminish.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Overdosage
Applying
Avita, Retin-A, or Renova excessively will not produce faster
or better results, and marked redness, peeling, or discomfort
could occur.
|