Tretinoin Cream

Tretinoin Cream is used for:

Treating acne. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Tretinoin Cream is a vitamin A derivative. How it exerts its beneficial effects against acne is not fully known. Tretinoin appears to increase skin-cell turnover and to reduce the tendency for skin cells to stick together. This reduces the formation of acne and allows quicker healing of acne that does develop.

Do NOT use Tretinoin Cream if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Tretinoin Cream

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if this applies to you.

Before using Tretinoin Cream:

Some medical conditions may interact with Tretinoin Cream. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have eczema, an abnormally high white blood cell count, or a sunburn

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Tretinoin Cream. Because little, if any, of Tretinoin Cream is absorbed into the blood, the risk of it interacting with another medicine is low.

Ask your health care provider if Tretinoin Cream may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Tretinoin Cream:

Use Tretinoin Cream as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Tretinoin Cream is for external use only.
• Remove all cosmetics with a mild soap before applying Tretinoin Cream. Gently dry the area. Wait 20 to 30 minutes to make sure that your skin is completely dry.
• Apply a thin film of medicine to the affected area. Rub in gently.
• Wash your hands immediately after using Tretinoin Cream.
• If you miss a dose of Tretinoin Cream, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not use 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Tretinoin Cream.

Important safety information:

• Tretinoin Cream is for external use only. Avoid getting Tretinoin Cream in your eyes, nose, or mouth. If you get Tretinoin Cream in your eyes, rinse thoroughly with water.
• Tretinoin Cream may cause you to become sunburned more easily. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Tretinoin Cream. Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time.
• For the first 2 to 3 weeks of treatment, your skin condition may appear to worsen. This is expected. Do not stop using Tretinoin Cream at this time.
• Talk with your doctor before you use any other medicines or products on your skin. While you are using Tretinoin Cream, you may use cosmetics.
• Do not apply Tretinoin Cream to skin that is sunburned. Wait until the burn is fully healed before using Tretinoin Cream.
• Do NOT use more than the recommended dose or use for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor.
• Avoid using other topical medication, cosmetics, or other products that have a strong drying effect. If you have dry skin from using these products, allow your skin to "rest" before using Tretinoin Cream.
• Do not use Tretinoin Cream for any condition other than that for which it was prescribed.
• Weather extremes, such as windy or cold weather, may irritate your skin more while you are using Tretinoin Cream.
• Tretinoin Cream may cause harm if it is swallowed. If you may have taken it by mouth, contact your poison control center or emergency room right away.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Tretinoin Cream while you are pregnant. It is not known if Tretinoin Cream is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Tretinoin Cream, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Tretinoin Cream:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Redness, peeling, or feeling of warmth; sensitivity to sunlight; skin irritation; stinging at application site.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); severe redness, swelling, blistering, or crusting of the skin.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http: / / www.aapcc.org / dnn / Resources / FindLocalPoisonCenters / tabid / 130 / Default.aspx), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include clumsiness; dizziness; excessive redness, peeling, and discomfort; flushing; headache; stomach pain. This medicine may be harmful if swallowed.

Store Tretinoin Cream at room temperature, between 59 and 80 degrees F (15 and 26 degrees C). Store in a tightly closed container. Store away from heat and light. Keep Tretinoin Cream out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Tretinoin Cream, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Tretinoin Cream is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Tretinoin Cream. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

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