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Retin-A (Tretinoin): Uses, Side Effects and Dosage

Updated:
Facts
Status:
Prescription (Rx)
Strength:
0.25 mg/g, 0.5 mg/g, 1 mg/g, 0.1 mg/g
Other brand names:
Drug class:
Active ingredient:
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Source: FDA drug labeling via NLM DailyMed · About this document

Patient information: uses, side effects, how to take - Retin-A

HOW TO USE RETIN-A (TRETINOIN)

To get the best results with RETIN-A therapy, it is necessary to use it properly. Forget about the instructions given for other products and the advice of friends. Just stick to the special plan your doctor has laid out for you and be patient. Remember, when RETIN-A is used properly, many users see improvement by 12 weeks. AGAIN, FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS – BE PATIENT – DON’T START AND STOP THERAPY ON YOUR OWN – IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, ASK YOUR DOCTOR.

To help you use the medication correctly, keep these simple instructions in mind.

  • Apply RETIN-A once daily before bedtime, or as directed by your physician. Your physician may advise, especially if your skin is sensitive, that you start your therapy by applying RETIN-A every other night. First, wash with a mild soap and dry your skin gently. WAIT 20 TO 30 MINUTES BEFORE APPLYING MEDICATION; it is important for skin to be completely dry in order to minimize possible irritation.
  • It is better not to use more than the amount suggested by your physician or to apply more frequently than instructed. Too much may irritate the skin, waste medication and won’t give faster or better results.
  • Keep the medication away from the corners of the nose, mouth, eyes and open wounds. Spread away from these areas when applying.
  • Cream:Squeeze about a half inch or less of medication onto the fingertip. While that should be enough for your whole face, after you have some experience with the medication, you may find you need slightly more or less to do the job. The medication should become invisible almost immediately. If it is still visible, you are using too much. Cover the affected area lightly with RETIN-A (tretinoin) Cream by first dabbing it on your forehead, chin and both cheeks, then spreading it over the entire affected area. Smooth gently into the skin.
  • Gel:Squeeze about a half inch or less of medication onto the fingertip. While that should be enough for your whole face, after you have some experience with the medication, you may find you need slightly more or less to do the job. The medication 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. Cover the affected area lightly with RETIN-A (tretinoin) Gel by first dabbing it on your forehead, chin and both cheeks, then spreading it over the entire affected area. Smooth gently into the skin.
  • It is recommended that you apply a moisturizer or a moisturizer with sunscreen that will not aggravate your acne (noncomedogenic) every morning after you wash.

WHAT TO EXPECT WITH YOUR NEW TREATMENT

RETIN-A works deep inside your skin and this takes time. You cannot make RETIN-A work any faster by applying more than one dose each day, but an excess amount of RETIN-A may irritate your skin. Be patient.

There may be some discomfort or peeling during the early days of treatment. Some patients also notice that their skin begins to take on a blush.

These reactions do not happen to everyone. If they do, it is just your skin adjusting to RETIN-A and this usually subsides within 2 to 4 weeks. These reactions can usually be minimized by following instructions carefully. Should the effects become excessively troublesome, consult your doctor.

BY 3 TO 6 WEEKS, some patients notice an appearance of new blemishes (papules and pustules). At this stage it is important to continueusing RETIN-A.

If RETIN-A is going to have a beneficial effect for you, you should notice a continued improvement in your appearance after 6 to 12 weeks of therapy. Don’t be discouraged if you see no immediate improvement. Don’t stop treatment at the first signs of improvement.

Once your acne is under control you should continue regular application of RETIN-A until your physician instructs otherwise.

IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS

All questions of a medical nature should be taken up with your doctor. For more information about RETIN-A (tretinoin), call our toll-free number: 800-321-4576. Call between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.

Storage Conditions:RETIN-A Gel, 0.025% and 0.01%: store below 86°F. RETIN-A Cream, 0.1%, 0.05%, and 0.025%: store below 80°F.

Distributed by:

Bausch Health US, LLC

Bridgewater, NJ 08807 USA

Manufactured by:

Bausch Health Companies Inc.

Laval, Quebec H7L 4A8, Canada

Retin-A is a trademark of Bausch Health Companies Inc. or its affiliates.

© 2024 Bausch Health Companies Inc. or its affiliates

9440906

Revised: 03/2024

About this document

Source: FDA drug labeling via NLM DailyMed · Application number: NDA 019049 · View the label on DailyMed

Revision date stated in the text: March 2024

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The information on this site does not replace the advice of a doctor or pharmacist.

Drug information for Retin-A

Rx or OTC
Prescription (Rx)?
  • This drug is available only with a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider.
  • Rx
Drug class Retinoid
Active ingredient Tretinoin
Dosage form Cream, Gel
Route Topical
Marketing status listed in the FDA NDC Directory
Company (applicant) BAUSCH
FDA approval NDA 019049New Drug Application (NDA) Approved September 16, 1988
Reference listed drug This is the reference listed drug (RLD) that generics are compared with.
Therapeutic equivalence (TE) code ABCodes starting with A mean the FDA rates the drug therapeutically equivalent to its reference drug (Orange Book).
Generics Tretinoin Topical with the same TE code
Manufacturers 1 labelers list this drug on DailyMed
Packages (NDC)
Package
0.25 mg/g – 20 g in 1 tube / 1 in 1 carton NDC 0187-5160-20
0.25 mg/g – 45 g in 1 tube / 1 in 1 carton NDC 0187-5160-45
0.5 mg/g – 20 g in 1 tube / 1 in 1 carton NDC 0187-5162-20
0.5 mg/g – 45 g in 1 tube / 1 in 1 carton NDC 0187-5162-45
1 mg/g – 20 g in 1 tube / 1 in 1 carton NDC 0187-5164-20
1 mg/g – 45 g in 1 tube / 1 in 1 carton NDC 0187-5164-45
0.1 mg/g – 15 g in 1 tube / 1 in 1 carton NDC 0187-5172-15
0.1 mg/g – 45 g in 1 tube / 1 in 1 carton NDC 0187-5172-45
0.25 mg/g – 15 g in 1 tube / 1 in 1 carton NDC 0187-5170-15
0.25 mg/g – 45 g in 1 tube / 1 in 1 carton NDC 0187-5170-45

Source: FDA drug labeling via NLM DailyMed, data as of October 31, 2026. FDA data (DailyMed, Orange Book, Drug Shortages, enforcement reports). Not a substitute for the advice of a doctor or pharmacist.