Retin-a

Note: This document contains side effect information about tretinoin topical. Some of the dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Retin-A.

More frequent side effects include: exfoliation of skin, stinging of the skin, localized warm feeling, and mild erythema of skin. See below for a comprehensive list of adverse effects.

Applies to tretinoin topical: topical cream, topical gel/jelly, topical lotion

Along with its needed effects, tretinoin topical (the active ingredient contained in Retin-A) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking tretinoin topical:

More common

• Burning, stinging, peeling, redness, or unusual dryness of the skin (severe)

Less common

• Dryness, pain, redness, irritation, or peeling at the application site

Some side effects of tretinoin topical may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Burning, itching, stinging, scaling, or redness of the skin
• chapping or slight peeling of the skin (mild)
• darkening of the skin
• lightening of normal skin color
• lightening of treated areas of dark skin
• redness of skin (mild)
• unusual dryness of skin (mild)
• unusually warm skin (mild)

Applies to tretinoin topical: topical cream, topical gel, topical kit, topical liquid, topical lotion

Cream:

Very common (10% or more): Severe skin irritation (Up to 32%)

Frequency not reported: Mild irritation, peeling/skin exfoliation, erythema, pruritus, blistering, pain, crusting, tenderness, dry skin, burning/warmth/stinging, photosensitivity/increased sensitivity to light

Postmarketing reports: Temporary hyper/hypopigmentation, rash, skin atrophy

Gel:

Very common (10% or more): Dry skin (Up to 16%), peeling/scaling/flaking skin (Up to 12%)

Common (1% to 10%): Burning sensation, erythema, pruritus, skin pain, sunburn

Frequency not reported: Blistering/crusting skin

Postmarketing reports: Temporary hypo/hyperpigmentation, increased susceptibility to sunlight

Microsphere Gel:

Common (1% to 10%): Skin irritation, skin burning, erythema, dermatitis

Frequency not reported: Peeling, dryness, stinging, itching

Postmarketing reports: Temporary hypo/hyperpigmentation

Erythema, peeling, dryness, burning/stinging, and/or itching occurred most frequently during the first 2 weeks of therapy.

Most of the dermatologic side effects were mild in severity (approximately 63%), and approximately 34% were of moderate severity.

Dry, peeling, scaling, and/or flaking skin occurred most often in the gel formulation.

Cream:

Frequency not reported: Reversible liver function test changes (bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, ALT, AST)

Cream:

Frequency not reported: Thymol turbidity elevations, increased flocculation

Cream:

Postmarketing reports: Edema/swelling of application site

Cream:

Frequency not reported: Allergic contact dermatitis

Postmarketing reports: Allergic reaction