Retin-A: Uses, Side Effects and Dosage

What is RETIN-A used for?

RETIN-A is applied to the skin to treat acne. Acne is a condition in which the skin has blackheads, whiteheads, papules, pustules, or cysts.

How does RETIN-A work?

RETIN-A belongs to a group of medicines called retinoids. It works by causing the outer skin layer to grow faster and becomes thinner. It is also associated with the thickening of the epidermis (the outermost of the three layers that make up the skin). This helps prevent build-up of debris in the oil glands of the skin which can cause acne.

What are the ingredients in RETIN-A?

Medicinal ingredients: Tretinoin

Non-medicinal ingredients:

Gel: Butylated Hydroxytoluene, Ethanol Pharma Undenatured, Hydroxypropyl Cellulose.

Cream: Butylhydroxytoluene, Isopropyl Myristate, Polyoxyl 40 Stearate, Stearic Acid, Stearyl Alcohol, Sorbic Acid, Xanthan Gum and Purified Water.

RETIN-A comes in the following dosage forms:

Gel 0.025% w/w and 0.01% w/w

Cream 0.1% w/w, 0.05% w/w, 0.025% w/w and 0.01% w/w

Do not use RETIN-A if:

If you are allergic to the medicinal ingredients in RETIN-A or of any of its ingredients (see “What are the ingredients in RETIN-A”)

To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you take RETIN-A. Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if you:

• Have sensitive skin
• Are exposed to the sun a lot due to work duties

Other warnings you should know about:

Skin

• Skin reactions such as site dryness, peeling, burning, itching, stinging, redness and eye irritation may occur during the first one or two weeks of use. These reactions can be minimized by following the instructions carefully. Should the effects become severe,

  • discontinue use and consult your doctor.
• RETIN-A can make your skin more sensitive and increase the possibility of sunburn. Minimize exposure of areas treated with RETIN-A to sunlight or sunlamps during treatment. Wear protective clothing whenever you have to go out in the sun, even on hazy days. Use a sunscreen on areas treated with RETIN-A.
• Avoid excessive exposure to wind or cold as skin treated with RETIN-A may be more sensitive to these extremes.
• Hyper – or hypopigmentation (darkening or lightening of the skin) has occasionally been reported when the product is used to the point of severe irritation. This side effect is reversible when the medication is stopped or discontinued.

General Use

• Use RETIN-A as your doctor instructed. Excessive medication will not produce better results and marked redness, peeling and discomfort may occur. Apply a moisturizer or a moisturizer with sunscreen that will not aggravate your acne (this is know as non-comedogenic) every morning after you wash.
• Do not apply on eyes eyelids, angles of the nose, mouth, mucous membranes or other areas where treatment is not intended.
• Do not apply on skin that is severely inflamed, sunburnt, or has open lesions or eczema.
• Do not use if reactions are severe and the skin becomes extremely red, swollen and crusted.
• Avoid using medicated or abrasive topical products with a high concentration of alcohol, spices, or lime. They cause needless stinging and burning on treated skin.
• Cosmetic can be used. Clean the skin thoroughly of any cosmetics before RETIN-A use.
• Avoid hair removal procedures before RETIN-A use.
• Gels are flammable. Keep gel away from heat and flame. Keep tube tightly closed.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

• Consult your doctor for contraceptive counselling. RETIN-A should be used by women of childbearing years only after contraceptive counselling.
• Do not use if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or think you are pregnant. It may harm your unborn baby.
• Talk to your healthcare professional if you are breast-feeding. It is not known if RETIN-A passes in breast milk.

Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines.

• There are no known interactions with RETIN-A

How to take RETIN-A:

RETIN-A should only be applied to your skin.

1. 1. Wash with a mild soap and dry skin gently. Do not wash more than twice per day.
2. 2. Wait twenty to thirty minutes before applying medication so that your skin is completely dry.
3. 3. Apply RETIN-A once daily as directed by your doctor.
4. 4. Squeeze a small amount (about the size of a pea) on your fingertip. Spread on the skin where acne lesions appear, using enough to cover the entire affected area, using a gauze swab, cotton wool or the tips of clean fingers. Only use enough medication to cover the affected areas lightly.
5. 5. Keep the medication away from the corners of the nose, mouth, eyes and mucous membranes or other areas where treatment is not intended. Spread away from these areas when applying.
6. 6. Keep container closed when not in use.
7. 7. The medication should become invisible almost immediately. If it is still visible or if dry flaking occurs within a minute or so, you are using too much.
8. 8. If your doctor has prescribed another topical acne treatment (i.e., benzoyl peroxide or topical antibiotic), do not apply RETIN-A at the same time of day as the other products.

After 3 to 6 weeks of therapy some patients notice new blemishes. At this stage it is very important to continue using RETIN-A. Do not expect an overnight cure. With the use of RETIN-A, you will notice a gradual improvement over eight to twelve weeks.

Usual dose

Apply daily to the affected areas after cleansing with a mild, non-medicated soap and water. Safety and effectiveness have not been established in children.

Overdose

In case of accidental oral ingestion, in addition to the boxed warning above, if you are in your childbearing years discuss with your doctor if a pregnancy test should be done.

Missed Dose:

If you miss a dose, it is not necessary to make up the missed dose. Just wait until the next evening and use RETIN-A as usual. Apply the same amount you usually would. Do not apply an extra amount.

What are possible side effects from using RETIN-A?

Similar to all retinoids, there is some skin irritation that is expected. These are not all the possible side effects you may feel when taking RETIN-A. If you experience any side effects not listed here, contact your healthcare professional.

Side effects which may occur when using RETIN-A are primarily local effects on the skin such as:

• Skin redness, swelling, irritation or exfoliation of the skin
• Warmth, burning, stinging or blistering of the skin
• Crusting, flaking, or peeling of the skin
• Temporary hyper- or hypopigmentation (darkening or lightening) of the skin
• Eye irritation
• Feeling unwell (malaise)
• Fever

RETIN-A may affect your blood and urine test results. Tell your healthcare professional you are taking RETIN-A before doing these tests.

Serious side effects and what to do about them

If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, talk to your healthcare professional.

Reporting Side Effects

Storage

Keep container closed when not in use. Store between 15°C – 25°C.

Keep out of reach and sight of children.

If you want more information about RETIN-A:

• Talk to your healthcare professional
• Find the full product monograph that is prepared for healthcare professionals and includes this Patient Medication Information by visiting the Health Canada website (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada.html); the manufacturer’s website www.bauschhealth.ca, or by calling 1-800-361-4261.

Last Revised: January 24, 2022