Renova

Generic Name: tretinoin topical (TRET in oin)
Brand Names: Altinac, Atralin, Avita, Renova, Retin A Micro Gel, Retin-A, Tretin-X

What is Renova?

Renova (tretinoin) is a topical (applied to the skin) form of vitamin A that helps the skin renew itself.

Renova is used to reduce the appearance of fine wrinkles and mottled skin discoloration, and to make rough facial skin feel smoother.

Renova may also be used for purposes other than those listed here.

Important information about Renova

Avoid exposure to sunlight or artificial UV rays (sunlamps or tanning beds). Renova can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and sunburn may result. Use a sunscreen (minimum SPF 15) and wear protective clothing if you must be out in the sun. Avoid getting Renova in your eyes, mouth, and nose, or on your lips. If it does get into any of these areas, wash with water. Do not use Renova on sunburned, windburned, dry, chapped, irritated, or broken skin. Also avoid using tretinoin topical in wounds or on areas of eczema. Wait until these conditions have healed before using Renova.

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Use this medication for as many days as it has been prescribed for you even if you think it is not working. It may take weeks or months of use before you notice improvement in your skin.

Before using Renova

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Tretinoin can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use Renova without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby

See also: Renova pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)

How should I use Renova?

Use Renova exactly as your doctor has prescribed it for you. Using more medicine or applying it more often than prescribed will not make it work any faster, and may increase side effects. Do not use Renova for longer than your doctor has prescribed.

Wash your hands before and after applying this medicine. Before applying, clean and dry the skin area to be treated.

Applying Renova to wet skin may cause skin irritation. If you use Renova, wait at least 20 minutes after washing your face before applying a thin layer of the medication.

Do not wash the treated area for at least 1 hour after applying Renova. Avoid the use of other skin products on the treated area for at least 1 hour following application of Renova.

Renova should be used as part of a complete skin care program that includes avoiding sunlight and using an effective sunscreen and protective clothing.

Use this medication for as many days as it has been prescribed for you even if you think it is not working. It may take weeks or months of use before you notice improvement in your skin. Store Renova at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Use the medication as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and wait until your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not apply extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Renova is not expected to cause overdose symptoms.

What should I avoid while using Renova?

Avoid exposure to sunlight or artificial UV rays (sunlamps or tanning beds). Renova can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and sunburn may result. Use a sunscreen (minimum SPF 15) and wear protective clothing if you must be out in the sun. Avoid getting this medicine in your eyes, mouth, and nose, or on your lips. If it does get into any of these areas, wash with water. Do not use Renova on skin that is sunburned, windburned, dry, chapped, or irritated. Also avoid using Renova in wounds or on areas of eczema. Wait until these conditions have healed before using Renova.

Avoid using skin products that can cause irritation, such as harsh soaps, shampoos, or skin cleansers, hair coloring or permanent chemicals, hair removers or waxes, or skin products with alcohol, spices, astringents, or lime. Do not use other medication skin products unless your doctor has told you to.

Your skin may be more sensitive to weather extremes such as cold and wind while using this medicine.

Renova side effects

Stop using Renova and get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Less serious Renova side effects may include burning, warmth, stinging, tingling, itching, redness, swelling, dryness, peeling, irritation, or discolored skin.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Renova side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect Renova?

Do not use skin products that contain benzoyl peroxide, sulfur, resorcinol, or salicylic acid unless otherwise directed by your doctor. These products can cause severe skin irritation if used with Renova.

The following drugs can interact with Renova, which can make your skin more sensitive to natural and artificial sunlight. Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you are using any of these:

• a diuretic (water pill);

• tetracycline (Sumycin, Panmycin, Robitet), minocycline (Minocin), doxycycline (Doryx, Vibramycin), demeclocycline (Declomycin), and others;

• an antibiotic such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro), ofloxacin (Floxin), and others;

• a sulfa drug such as Bactrim, Septra, Cotrim, and others; or

• chlorpromazine (Thorazine), prochlorperazine (Compazine), fluphenazine (Permitil, Prolixin), promethazine (Phenergan, Promethegan), perphenazine (Trilafon), and others.

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can affect Renova. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about Renova.