Acne is treated with tretinoin (Altreno, Atralin, Avita, Retin-A). When used with other skin care products and programmes that limit exposure to sunlight, retinol is also used to diminish fine wrinkles (Renova and Refissa), alleviate splotchy discolouration (Renova), and smooth out rough skin (Renova). Tretinoin belongs to the group of drugs known as retinoids. It functions by encouraging the peeling of the afflicted skin and clearing clogged pores.

To apply tretinoin in any form, follow these instructions:

1. Use mild, bland soap and water to thoroughly wash your hands and the affected region of skin. Avoid using medicinal, abrasive, or drying soaps. Wait 20 to 30 minutes to apply tretinoin to make sure your skin is completely dry.
2. When applying the drug, use clean fingertips.
3. Use just enough medicine to apply a light layer over the affected area.

Only the affected skin area should get the medication. Avoid getting tretinoin in your mouth, eyes, ears, nose corners, or vaginal area. Avoid applying to sunburned regions.

For a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient, ask your pharmacist or doctor.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details if you believe this drug should be used for something else.

Before using tretinoin,

• If you use Altreno or tretinoin and are allergic to fish, any other drugs, or any of the substances in tretinoin lotion, cream, or gel, let your doctor and pharmacist know right once. Request a list of the components from your pharmacist.
• Inform your doctor and pharmacist about all prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal products that you are now taking or intend to use. Incorporate any of the following: Tetracyclines are an example of an antibiotic. Other examples include antihistamines, diuretics (‘water pills’), fluoroquinolones like ciprofloxacin (Cipro), delafloxacin (Baxdela), gemifloxacin (Factive), levofloxacin (Levaquin), moxifloxacin (Avelox), and ofloxacin. Other examples include drugs for nausea and mental illness like co-t (Gantrisin). Your physician might need to adjust the dosage of your drugs or keep a close eye on you for side effects.
• Inform your doctor if you currently have or have ever had actinic keratoses (scaly patches on the top layer of skin), skin cancer, or any other skin diseases. Eczema is a skin illness.
• If you are breastfeeding a child or intend to become pregnant, let your doctor know. Call your doctor if you conceive while taking tretinoin.
• Plan to use protective clothes, sunglasses, and sunscreen and to avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight or UV radiation (tanning beds and sunlamps). Your skin may become more sensitive to UV or sunlight if you take retinol.
• You should be aware that harsh weather conditions like wind and cold might be particularly annoying.

As soon as you realise you missed a dose, administer it. If the next dose is soon due, skip the missed one and carry on with your regular dosing plan. Applying additional cream, lotion, or gel won’t make up for a forgotten dose.

Tretinoin’s negative effects could occur. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:

• Skin warmth or a faint stinging sensation
• Skin fading or becoming darker
• Rosy, scaly skin
• A rise of acne lesions
• Skin that is swollen, blistered, or crusted
• Skin at the treatment site that is dry, painful, burning, stinging, peeling, red, or flaking

Some adverse effects can be very harmful. Call your doctor right away if you have any of these signs or symptoms:

• Itching
• Hives
• Pain or discomfort near the site of therapy

Tretinoin may result in additional adverse effects. If you experience any strange issues while taking this drug, call your doctor right away.

You or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting programme online or by phone if you have a serious side event (1-800-332-1088).

Keep this medication tightly closed in the original container and out of the reach of children. Store it away from excessive heat and moisture at room temperature (not in the bathroom). Keep the drug from freezing.

Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent pets, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilising a medicine take-back programme is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programmes in your area, speak with your pharmacist or the garbage/recycling department in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back programme, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

As many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning. http://www.upandaway.org

Call your local poison control centre at 1-800-222-1222 if someone ingests tretinoin. Dial 911 to reach the nearest emergency services if the sufferer has collapsed or has stopped breathing.

Keep all of your doctor’s appointments.

Do not share your medication with anybody else. Any queries you may have regarding medication refills should be directed to your pharmacist.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.