Tretinoin, ATRA capsules
What are tretinoin capsules?
TRETINOIN (Vesanoid®) is a naturally occurring form of vitamin A. Tretinoin capsules are used to certain cancers, such as acute promyelocytic leukemia or other disorders. Generic tretinoin capsules are available.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
-
high cholesterol
-
liver disease
-
an unusual or allergic reaction to tretinoin, vitamin A, parabens, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
-
pregnant or trying to get pregnant
-
breast-feeding
How should I take this medicine?
Take tretinoin capsules by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow the capsules whole with a drink of water. Take with meals. Take your doses at regular intervals; try to take doses at the same time each day. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Do not stop taking except on your prescriber's advice.
Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
What drug(s) may interact with tretinoin?
Tell your prescriber or other health care professional about all other medicines you are taking including nonprescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also, tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check before stopping or starting any of your medications.
What should I watch for while taking tretinoin?
Visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. You will need to have regular blood checks.
Call your prescriber or health care professional for advice if you get a fever, chills or cough. Do not treat yourself.
Do not take any vitamin A supplements while receiving tretinoin. Tretinoin is also a form of vitamin A and too much vitamin A can cause many side effects.
If you are capable of becoming pregnant, you should have a pregnancy test within one week before you start tretinoin therapy, if possible, and monthly while you are taking tretinoin confirming you are not pregnant. Tretinoin may harm your unborn baby. You should contact your prescriber immediately if you believe or suspect you are pregnant while you are taking tretinoin and until one month after you stop taking tretinoin. You must use effective birth control continuously while taking tretinoin and until one month after you stop taking tretinoin. It is recommended that you use 2 reliable forms of birth control together.
You may get drowsy or dizzy when you first start taking tretinoin or change doses. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how tretinoin affects you.
What side effects may I notice from taking tretinoin?
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
-
signs of infection - fever or chills, cough, sore throat, pain or difficulty passing urine
-
signs of bleeding - bruising, pinpoint red spots on the skin, black, tarry stools, blood in the urine
-
changes in blood pressure
-
chest pain
-
chills
-
difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
-
severe headaches
-
seizures
-
weight gain
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
-
agitation or anxiety
-
changes in sight
-
changes in skin color
-
confusion
-
constipation or diarrhea
-
decrease in reflexes
-
depression
-
difficulty sleeping
-
dizziness, drowsiness
-
dry skin
-
earache, fullness in the ear
-
flushing
-
hair loss
-
hallucinations (seeing things that are not really there)
-
headache
-
heartburn
-
increased sweating
-
loss of appetite
-
muscle aches or pains
-
nausea, vomiting
-
shivering
-
stomach pain
-
tingling, numbness, or pain in the hands or feet
-
tiredness or weakness
-
uncontrollable shaking
Where can I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children.
Store at 15 to 30 degrees C (59 to 86 degrees F) and protect from light.
Tretinoin, ATRA skin cream, liquid, or gel
What is tretinoin cream, liquid, or gel?
TRETINOIN (Altinac™, Avita™, Renova®, Retin-A®, Retin-A® Micro™) is a naturally occurring form of vitamin A. It is applied to the skin to treat mild to moderate acne or to treat the effects of aging on the face, such as fine lines, wrinkles, or "age spots". Generic tretinoin cream, liquid, and gel are available.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
-
eczema
-
excessive sensitivity to the sun
-
sunburn
-
an unusual or allergic reaction to tretinoin, vitamin A, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
-
pregnant or trying to get pregnant
-
breast-feeding
How should I use this medicine?
Tretinoin creams, liquids or gels are usually applied to the skin once a day before you go to bed, do not take these products by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label; do not use more often than your prescriber has recommended. Applying too much topical tretinoin may irritate or increase the irritation of your skin, and will not give faster or better results.
For all products: First gently wash your face with a mild, non-medicated soap before applying. Pat the skin dry. Avoid applying tretinoin products to your eyes, ears, nostrils, angles of the nose, and mouth. It is recommended that you use a facial moisturizer that will not irritate your acne and contains a sunscreen (at least SPF 15) every morning after you wash your face and apply the topical tretinoin. Discuss the proper use of moisturizers and cosmetics with your health care prescriber.
-
Altinac™, Avita™, Retin-A® cream or gel: Wait 20—30 minutes for your skin to dry before applying in order to minimize the possibility of skin irritation. Squeeze about ½ inch or less on your finger. This amount should be enough to cover your entire face; however, after you have used the medicine for awhile you may find you need a little less or more. Cover the affected area lightly with the cream by first dabbing it on your forehead, chin, and both cheeks, then spreading over the entire affected area. Smooth gently into the skin. The medicine should become invisible almost immediately. If it is still visible or if dry flaking occurs from the gel within a minute or so, you are using too much.
-
Retin-A® liquid: Wait 20—30 minutes for your skin to dry before applying in order to minimize the possibility of skin irritation. The liquid may be applied to the skin where the acne lesions appear, spreading the medicine over the entire affected area using your fingertip, a guaze pad, or cotton swab. To avoid dripping the liquid onto areas that do not need treatment, do not soak the cotton or gauze.
Retin-A MICRO®: Squeeze a small amount (about the size of a pea) on your fingertip. Dab the medicine on your forehead, chin, and both cheeks. Smooth gently into your skin.You may use cosmetics after applying the medicine.
Renova® cream: Wait 20—30 minutes for your skin to dry before applying in order to minimize the possibility of skin irritation. Squeeze about a small pearl-shaped amount (¼ inch or less) onto your finger. It should be enough to cover the affected area lightly.
Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, skip that dose and continue with your regular schedule. Do not use extra doses, or use for a longer period of time than directed by your prescriber or health care professional. Use of too much tretinoin can cause skin irritation.
What drug(s) may interact with tretinoin?
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other skin preparations, (prescription and nonprescription) you are using. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check before stopping or starting any of your medicines.
What should I watch for while taking tretinoin?
Your acne may get worse during the first treatment period and should then start to improve. It may take 2 to 12 weeks before you see the full beneficial effect.
When used to reduce fine facial lines, you may not notice any improvements right away; it may take up to 4 months to see any effects. Tretinoin does not remove wrinkles or repair sun-damaged skin. Tretinoin may not work for everyone who uses it; it may work better for some than others.
Do not wash your face more than 2 or 3 times a day, unless told to by your prescriber or health care professional. Do not use the following products on the same areas that you are treating with tretinoin, unless otherwise directed by your prescriber or health care professional: other topical agents with a strong skin drying effect such as products with a high alcohol content, astringents, spices, the peel of lime or other citrus, medicated soaps or shampoos, permanent wave solutions, electrolysis, hair removers or waxes, or any other preparations or processes that might dry or irritate your skin. Consult your prescriber or healthcare professional before using these products.
Tretinoin can increase sensitivity of the skin to sun or UV light. Keep out of the sun, or wear protective clothing outdoors and use a sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher). Do not use sun lamps or sun tanning beds or booths.
Tretinoin products can catch fire. Keep away from lighted matches, cigarettes and other naked flames.
What side effects may I notice from using tretinoin?
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
-
darkening or lightening of the treated areas
-
severe burning, itching, crusting, or swelling of the treated areas
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
-
increased sensitivity to the sun
-
itching
-
mild stinging
-
red, inflamed, and irritated skin, the skin may peel after a few days
Where can I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children.
Store the liquid and gel at room temperature below 30 degrees C (86 degrees F), and the cream below 27 degrees F (80 degrees F); do not freeze. Keep away from heat and flame. Protect from light.
Tretinoin, ATRA skin gel (Atralin™ gel)
What is Tretinoin, ATRA skin gel (Atralin™ gel)?
TRETINOIN is a naturally occurring form of vitamin A. It is used on the skin to treat mild to moderate acne.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
-
eczema
-
excessive sensitivity to the sun
-
sunburn
-
an unusual or allergic reaction to tretinoin, vitamin A, other medicines, fish, other foods, dyes, or preservatives
-
pregnant or trying to get pregnant
-
breast-feeding
How should this medicine be used?
This medicine is for external use only. Do not take by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Gently wash your face with a mild, non-medicated soap before use. Pat the skin dry. Wait 20 to 30 minutes for your skin to dry before use in order to minimize the possibility of skin irritation. Apply enough medicine to cover the affected area and rub in gently. Avoid applying this medicine to your eyes, ears, nostrils, angles of the nose, and mouth. Do not use more often than your doctor or health care professional has recommended. Using too much of this medicine may irritate or increase the irritation of your skin, and will not give faster or better results.
Talk to your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 10 years for selected conditions, precautions do apply.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, skip that dose and continue with your regular schedule. Do not use extra doses, or use for a longer period of time than directed by your doctor or health care professional.
What drug(s) may interact with Tretinoin, ATRA?
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.
What should I watch for while taking Tretinoin, ATRA?
Your acne may get worse initially, but then should start to improve. It may take 2 to 12 weeks before you see the full effect.
Do not wash your face more than 2 or 3 times a day, unless directed by your doctor or health care professional. Do not use the following products on the same areas that you are treating with this medicine, unless otherwise directed by your doctor or health care professional: other topical agents with a strong skin drying effect such as products with a high alcohol content, astringents, spices, the peel of lime or other citrus, medicated soaps or shampoos, permanent wave solutions, electrolysis, hair removers or waxes, or any other preparations or processes that might dry or irritate your skin.
This medicine can make you more sensitive to the sun. Keep out of the sun. If you cannot avoid being in the sun, wear protective clothing and use sunscreen. Do not use sun lamps or tanning beds/booths. Avoid cold weather and wind as much as possible, and use clothing to protect you from the weather. Skin treated with this medicine may dry out or get wind burned more easily.
What side effects may I notice from receiving Tretinoin, ATRA?
Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
-
darkening or lightening of the treated areas
-
severe burning, itching, crusting, or swelling of the treated areas
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
-
increased sensitivity to the sun
-
itching
-
mild stinging
-
red, inflamed, and irritated skin, the skin may peel after a few days
Where can I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children.
Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Do not freeze. Keep away from heat and flame. Protect from light. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.