Retin-A Micro is used to treat acne. It promotes peeling of affected
skin areas and unclogs pores. Retin-A Micro controls acne but does
not cure it.
Retin-A Micro is sometimes prescribed for other
uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
How
should Retin-A be
used?
Retin-A Micro comes in topical liquid, cream, and gel. Retin-A usually
is used daily at bedtime or once every 2 or 3 days. Follow the directions
on your label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist
to explain any part you do not understand. Use Tretinoin exactly as
directed. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often than
prescribed by your doctor. Your acne probably will get worse (red,
scaling skin and an increase in acne sores) during the first 7-10
days that you use this medication. Nevertheless, continue to use it;
the acne sores should disappear. Usually 2-3 weeks (and sometimes
more than 6 weeks) of regular use ofRetin-A Micro is required before
improvement is seen.
Use only nonmedicated cosmetics on cleansed skin.
Do not use topical preparations with a lot of alcohol, menthol,
spices, or lime (e.g., shaving lotions, astringents, and perfumes);
they can sting your skin, especially when you first use Retin-A
Micro.
Do not use any other topical medications, especially
benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid (wart remover), and dandruff shampoos
containing sulfur or resorcinol unless your doctor directs you to
do so. If you have used any of these topical medications recently,
ask your doctor if you should wait before using Retin-A.
If you are to apply any form of Retin-A
Micro, follow these steps:
-- Wash your hands and affected
skin area thoroughly with mild, bland soap (not medicated or abrasive
soap or soap that dries the skin) and water. To be sure that your
skin is thoroughly dry, wait 20-30 minutes before applying Tretinoin.
-- Use clean fingertips, a gauze pad, or a cotton swab to apply
the medication.
-- Use enough medication to cover the affected area lightly. Do
not oversaturate the gauze pad or cotton swab.
Apply the medication to the affected skin area only (e.g., skin
with acne sores).
-- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to Retin-A
Micro or any other drugs.
-- tell your doctor and pharmacist what
medications you are taking, including vitamins.
-- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant,
or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while using Tretinoin,
call your doctor.
-- plan to avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight and
to wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Tretinoin
may make your skin sensitive to sunlight.
What should I do if I forget a dose?
If you use Retin-A Micro once a day, skip the missed dose completely.
Do not use this medication more often than once a day. If you use
Tretinoin every 2 or 3 days and remember a missed dose within 12 hours
of the time when you should have applied it, apply the missed dose
immediately. Otherwise, skip the missed dose; do not apply a double
dose.
What side effects can Retin-A cause?
Although side effects from Retin-A Micro are not common, they can
occur. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do
not go away:
--
warmth or slight stinging of the skin
-- lightening or darkening of the skin
-- red, scaling skin
-- increase in acne sores
-- swelling, blistering, or crusting of the skin
What storage conditions are needed for Retin-A
?
Keep Retin-A Micro in the container it came in, tightly closed,
and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away
from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away
any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your
pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.
What other information should I know?
Keep all appointments with your doctor. Tretinoin is for
external use only. Do not let Retin-A get into your eyes, the corner
of your nose, or mouth, or any broken skin, and do not swallow it.
Do not apply dressings, bandages, cosmetics, lotions, or other skin
medications to the area being treated unless your doctor tells you.
Do
not let anyone else use your medication. Ask your pharmacist any
questions you have.
Tell
your doctor if your skin condition gets worse or does not go away.