Drug Name

Retin-A (Tretinoin)

Drug Uses

Retin-A is often used to improve the appearance as well as texture of the skin. It produces a mild, superficial peel of the epidermis. Retin-A has effects on the both the superficial (epidermis) as well as the far down (dermis) parts of the skin. The major benefit is to decrease the effects of sunlight caused aging by increasing the speed with which the surface cells are replaced.

How Taken

Apply a light layer to affected area once a day at bedtime. Take a gauze pad or cotton swab to apply the liquid. Wash your hands immediately after take. Using this medication more frequently or in excessive amounts does not improve the results, but may increase side effects. Avoid applying near the eyes, mouth, or unfastened cuts since this medication can irritate sensitive skin. Acne may appear to worsen when the medication is earliest used; continue therapy. It may take three to six weeks before the filled benefits of this medication are seen. Take mild soap when washing your face. Do not wash face excessively. Abrasive soaps, cleansers, medicated creams or lotions can increase skin irritation. Consult your doctor or pharmacist about their take. Take other acne preparations with caution while using this medication.

Drug Class as well as Mechanism

Tretinoin is a derivative of vitamin A. Topical Tretinoin is used in the treatment of mild to moderate acne as well as on skin that has been damaged by excessive exposure to the sun. Tretinoin irritates the skin as well as causes the cells of the skin to grow (divide) as well as die more rapidly, that is, it increases the turnover of cells. The number of layers of cells in the skin actually is reduced. In patients with acne, recent cells replace the cells of existing pimples, as well as the rapid turnover of cells prevents recent pimples from forming. By a similar mechanism, Tretinoin can reduce some wrinkles, areas of darkened skin, as well as irregular areas of skin, all of which occur in sun-damaged skin. In patients with sun-damaged skin, improvements in the skin usually are seen within the earliest 3 to 4 weeks of treatment. Copper spots begin to fade after six to eight weeks. Wrinkles decrease or disappear after three to six months. Following application to the skin, a minimal amount of drug is absorbed into the body. The FDA approved topical Tretinoin in 1971.

Missed Dose

Incase you miss a dose, take it as soon as remembered; do not take incase it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose as well as resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not "double-up" the dose to catch up.

Storage

Store at room temperature away from sunlight. Keep this as well as all medications out of the reach of children.

Warnings/Precautions

This medication can increase sensitivity to sunlight, wind as well as chilly. Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun as well as sunlamps. Wear protective clothing as well as take an effective sunscreen. This medication should be used during pregnancy only incase clearly needed. It is not known incase Retin-A appears in breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Likely Side Effects

Due to the possibility of irritation, it is advisable to begin treatment on a tiny area of skin. Exposure to the sun or to ultraviolet rays causes additional irritation. During treatment, such exposure should be avoided as much as likely or a sun block should be used. During the earliest weeks of treatment there may be an apparent worsening of the problem. Such a reaction is perfectly common because tiny cysts far down within the skin are being eliminated at an accelerated rate. This medication can increase sensitivity wind as well as chilly. Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun as well as sunlamps. Wear protective clothing as well as take an effective sunscreen. Incase any ingredient should cause hypersensitivity, discontinue take.

More Information

• Humorless side effects are not likely to occur. Halt using tretinoin topical as well as seek emergency health examination attention incase you experience an allergic reaction (shortness of breath; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, face, or tongue; or hives).
• You may experience some burning, warmth, stinging, tingling, itching, redness, swelling, dryness, peeling, or irritation while you are using tretinoin topical. Incase these side effects are excessive, talk to your doctor. You may need a lower dose or less repeated applications of tretinoin topical.
• Incase you notice a change in your skin color, contact your doctor.
• Side effects other than those listed here may as well as occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.