• Available in 0.025% & 0.05% Creams
• For more information read this NPS link
Tretinoin is part of the retinoid family which is a form of vitamin A. This type of vitamin can help treat acne. There is not a difference between the branded and generic medicines effects when at the same dose.
How does it work?
You get acne when the follicles in your skin become blocked, usually by dead skin cells and the oil your skin produces called sebum. This causes blackheads and whiteheads to form. If the bacteria that naturally live on your skin feed on the blockage in a blackhead or whitehead the follicle can become infected and inflamed, leading to more serious forms of acne. Tretinoin has been shown to stop this from happening in three ways:
- Your skin cells are regularly replaced, old skin cells are shed, and new ones grow in their place. Tretinoin can speed up how quickly this happens, helping to literally push whiteheads and blackheads out of your skin.
- Tretinoin can also remove dead skin cells and sebum from your face, stopping your follicles from becoming blocked and turning into whiteheads and blackheads.
- Tretinoin has also been shown to reduce the inflammation caused by more serious forms of acne.
To put it simply, tretinoin makes you less likely to develop whiteheads and blackheads. It can help remove them and can also reduce inflammation when your spots become infected.
Compared to other retinoids such as Adapalene, tretinoin is one of the older topical ingredients used to treat acne, but it’s still very effective, especially in moderate to severe cases.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why this medicine has been prescribed for you. Your doctor may have prescribed it for another reason. It is not for use by children.
Prescription only
This medicine is available only with a doctor's prescription.
Private script
This is a private script, and it is not eligible for government PBS subsidy. The cost of this may be claimed from private health insurance providers depending on the level of cover.
Dose
Apply to the affected area(s) ONCE daily before going to bed. Your doctor will tell you how many times to use the medicine.
Active Ingredient
Tretinoin
Available Strengths
25g & 50g
Side effects
Can include redness, skin peeling, slight stinging, the feeling of warmth on the skin
The dose provided is from the
consumer medicines information leaflet.Always follow the doctors direction when using prescription medication.
Like other medicines, can cause some side effects. If they occur, they are most likely to be minor and temporary. However, some may be serious and need medical attention.
The most commonly reported side-effects are:
- redness of your skin
- skin flaking
- skin pain
- itching
- skin irritation
- skin tenderness
- burning feeling on the skin, especially when first applied
- stinging
- dry skin
These effects are normal. If they cause you a problem, try using Tretinoin Cream less often, or stop using it for a few days and then start again.
Other rare effects include:
- sensitivity to sunlight
- darkening of fair skin
- lightening of darker skin
- rash at the site of application
- swelling at the site of application
- allergic reaction
- skin thinning
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if any of the side effects become severe or troublesome, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet.
Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following:
- Wheezing, swelling of the lips/mouth, difficulty in breathing, hayfever, lumpy rash (hives) or fainting. These could be a symptom of an allergic reaction.
- Severe burning, peeling, or itching of your skin.
Tell your doctor if you are using any other medicines for acne. Tretinoin Cream can affect how other medicines work, or cause skin irritation with other medicines. This includes medicines containing benzoyl peroxide (also used to treat acne)
You may need to use the two products at different times of the day (eg. one in themorning and the other at bedtime).
Do not use if allergic to any medicine containing tretinoin, isotretinoin or vitamin A.
- Sunlight/Solarium - avoid exposure of the treated area to excessive sunlight or overuse of a sunlamp because your skin may be more prone to sunburn whilst usingTretinoin cream. When exposed to sunlight use at least a 30+ SPF broad-spectrum sunscreen and wear protective clothing over the treated areas.
- **Strong Wind/Dry Air** - These may cause skin discomfort. Apply moisturiser or emollient if this occurs. Check with your doctor or pharmacist about suitable wind protection if you notice any unusual rash or redness.
- Cosmetics - Check with your doctor or pharmacist which cosmetics, perfumed toiletries or astringents (e.g. aftershave, skin toner), especially those containing high concentration of alcohol, spices, lime, menthol. Wash any cosmetics off any affected areas before you apply Tretinoin cream.
- Washing your face - Avoid using harsh soaps or exfoliants. Use a mild bland soap, or any suitable soap free cleansers. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if your skin preparations contain peeling agents (e.g. resorcinol, sulphur, salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide).
Do not take this medicine by mouth. Keep it away from areas such as your mouth, lips, and eyes or inside your nose.
Don't apply a double dose to make up for forgotten doses.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date (EXP) printed on the pack.
Do not use this medicine if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering. If it is expired or is damaged, return it to your pharmacist for disposal.
Do not give this medicine to children.
Do not give this medicine to anyone else, even if their symptoms seem similar to yours.
Do not use Tretinoin Cream to treat any other complaints unless your doctor says to.
Do not use the cream on any irritated areas of the skin, such as cuts, grazes, sunburn, or broken skin.
Do not stop using Tretinoin Cream, or change the dose without first checking with your doctor.
Do not use the cream on skin that has had cosmetic treatment such as depilation, chemical hair treatment, chemical peel, dermabrasion or laser resurfacing recently.
Do not use too much Tretinoin Cream on sensitive skin such as the neck, or allow it to accumulate in folds of your skin, including those between the nose and lips.
Avoid skin products that contain alcohol, spices or lime. These products may irritate your skin more if used with Tretinoin Cream.
Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how Tretinoin Cream affects you.
Before you use
Tretinoin Cream
(
Tretinoin
)
, it is important that you read the consumer medicines information leaflet for information including side effects, warnings, dosage, ingredients and other useful information.
It can take 6 to 8 weeks before you see the full benefit of Tretinoin Cream.
Wash your hands before use. Completely remove any make-up. Wash the affected area with a mildsoap and warm water, and gently dry. Put a thin film of cream on the affected skin, using your fingertips, and smooth in. Apply to all of the area of your skin which has acne, not just each spot. Take care not to apply too much cream especially where it could run into youreyes, the angles of your nose, any skin folds, or other areas of the skin that do not require treatment. Applying too much cream or applying it more frequently will not help your spots clear up more quickly, and may cause redness, peeling and discomfort. If this does happen, you may need to use a nonpore-clogging moisturiser (noncomedogenic) use the cream less often, or stop using it for a few days and then start again. Wash your hands after using thecream.
Like all medicines Tretinoin cream can have some side effects, although not everyone will experience them. Side effects more commonly experienced are dry skin, skin peeling, skin flaking, a slight burning sensation, and increased sensitivity to sunlight.
The condition may worsen in the first two weeks of treatment before improving, this is a normal and expected effect.
After you wash your skin in the morning, you should apply a moisturizer or a moisturizer with sunscreen that will not aggravate your acne.
You can buy Tretinoin cream from any pharmacy with a valid Australian prescription. You may also buy Tretinoin cream from a registered Australian online doctor and pharmacy service after an online health assessment by a doctor.
Yes. Provided you ensure the online service you use is registered in Australia, ordering online is legal. Australian registered online providers such as Rosemary Health employ registered Australian health professionals to assess your suitability and dispense your medicine.
