Category

• Antiacne agent, topical
• Antiaging mitigative agent, topical
• Hypopigmenting agent, topical
• Keratolytic, topical

Description

Tretinoin (TRET-i-noyn) is used to treat acne. It works partly by keeping skin pores clear.

One of the tretinoin creams is used to treat fine wrinkles, dark spots, or rough skin on the face caused by damaging rays of the sun. It works by lightening the skin, replacing older skin with newer skin, and by slowing down the way the body removes skin cells that may have been harmed by the sun. Tretinoin works best when used within a skin care program that includes protecting the treated skin from the sun. However, it does not completely or permanently erase these skin problems or greatly improve more obvious changes in the skin, such as deep wrinkles caused by sun or the natural aging process.

Tretinoin may also be used to treat other skin diseases as determined by your doctor.

Tretinoin is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage forms:

Topical
• Cream (U.S. and Canada)
• Gel (U.S. and Canada)
• Topical solution (U.S. and Canada)

Brand Names

Some commonly used brand names are:

In the U.S.—

• Avita
• Renova
• Retin-A
• Retin-A MICRO

In Canada—

• Renova
• Retin-A
• Retisol-A
• Stieva-A
• Stieva-A Forte
• Vitamin A Acid
• Vitinoin

Other commonly used names are retinoic acid and vitamin A acid .