Generic Name: Tretinoin
Brand Name: Renova

Tretinoin is used for the treatment of acne. It works by keeping skin pores clear. It is also used to treat fine wrinkles, dark spots, or rough skin on the face caused by damaging UV light of the sun. Tretinoin may also be used to treat other skin diseases as determined by your doctor/pharmacist.

How Is It Used?
Before applying topical tretinoin, the affected area of the skin should be cleansed with soap and dried. Patients should then wait 20 to 30 minutes before applying tretinoin, gently rubbing it into the affected area. The hands should be washed immediately after application. Tretinoin is most often prescribed once daily, usually at bedtime.

Are There Possible Side Effects?
Following the application of tretinoin to the skin, there often is local inflammation. This reaction disappears when treatment is stopped. Mild stinging or a sensation of warmth also can occur when applying tretinoin. Dryness, scaling, and redness occur frequently. If severe redness, vesicles or crusting develops, a physician should be notified immediately and tretinoin stopped. It may be possible to restart therapy with a lower concentration.

What particular precautions should I follow?
For use of tretinoin, the following should be considered:
Allergies-tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to acitretin, etretinate, isotretinoin, tretinoin, or vitamin A preparations.
Pregnancy-Tretinoin has not been studied in pregnant women. Before using this medicine, make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant.
Breast-feeding-It's not known yet whether tretinoin passes into the breast milk. Mothers who are using this medicine and who wish to breast-feed should discuss this with their doctors.
Children-Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of this medicine in children with use in other age groups.
Older adults-many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people.
Other medicines-although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur.
Other medical problems-the presence of other medical problems may affect the use of tretinoin. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

What about Interactions with Other Drugs?
There are no known drug interactions with topical tretinoin.

What If I Miss A Dose?
If you miss a dose of this medicine, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

How Should It Be Stored?
To store this medicine try to:
" Try to keep out of the reach of the children.
" Store away from heat and direct light.
" Keep the medicine from freezing.
" Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

NOTE: The above information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to indicate that the use of the product is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before taking the product.