Retin-A 0.025% Cream

Tretinoin is a retinoid (a vitamin A-type medicine). As a cream, gel or lotion, it helps the skin make new cells faster and unclogs pores.

Skin products are used to:

• treat acne
• reduce fine wrinkles (it does not remove wrinkles or repair sun damage)

Tretinoin capsules are a different, specialist medicine used under hospital supervision for a type of leukaemia called acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL).

Use tretinoin exactly as your doctor or pharmacist tells you. Skin products are usually applied at bedtime.

• Wash the area with a mild, non-medicated soap and let the skin dry.
• Apply a thin layer with clean fingertips to cover the affected area.
• Keep it away from your eyes, ears, mouth, the corners of the nose and the genital area. Do not put it on sunburnt skin or eczema.
• Acne may look worse in the first 7 to 10 days. Keep using it; improvement usually takes 2 to 6 weeks or more.
• If you miss a dose, apply it when you remember unless the next one is nearly due. Do not apply extra.

Avoid harsh products such as astringents, perfumes, shaving lotions and other acne or peeling products unless your doctor agrees.

Common side effects where it is applied include:

• dryness, peeling or flaking
• redness, itching, burning or stinging
• swelling or blistering

A moisturiser may help with dryness if your doctor advises.

Call your doctor straight away if you have:

• rash, hives or itching that spreads
• pain or discomfort where you applied it

Check with your doctor or pharmacist before using it if you:

• are allergic to tretinoin or any other medicine
• have eczema, actinic keratoses (rough scaly patches), skin cancer or another skin condition
• use benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, hair removers or dandruff shampoos with sulfur or resorcinol
• take any other medicines, vitamins or herbal products

Keep in the original container, tightly closed, at room temperature away from heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Do not let it freeze. Keep out of the reach of children.

Sun: avoid strong sunlight, sunbeds and sunlamps. Use sunscreen and protective clothing on treated areas. Wind and cold can also irritate the skin.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: talk to your doctor before using it if you are pregnant, may be pregnant or are breastfeeding, and call them if you become pregnant.

Capsules: tretinoin capsules can cause serious birth defects and must not be taken in pregnancy. Strict contraception and pregnancy tests are needed.