Retin-A (Tretinoin Topical) - Summary

RETIN-A SUMMARY

Retin-A^®
(tretinoin)
Cream · Gel · Liquid

RETIN-A Gel, Cream and Liquid, containing tretinoin are used for the topical treatment of acne vulgaris. RETIN-A Gel contains tretinoin (retinoic acid, vitamin A acid) in either of two strengths, 0.025% or 0.01% by weight, in a gel vehicle of butylated hydroxytoluene, hydroxypropyl cellulose and alcohol (denatured with tert- butyl alcohol and brucine sulfate) 90% w/w. RETIN-A (tretinoin) Cream contains tretinoin in either of three strengths, 0.1%, 0.05%, or 0.025% by weight, in a hydrophilic cream vehicle of stearic acid, isopropyl myristate, polyoxyl 40 stearate, stearyl alcohol, xanthan gum, sorbic acid, butylated hydroxytoluene, and purified water. RETIN-A Liquid contains tretinoin 0.05% by weight, polyethylene glycol 400, butylated hydroxytoluene and alcohol (denatured with tert- butyl alcohol and brucine sulfate) 55%.

RETIN-A is indicated for topical application in the treatment of acne vulgaris. The safety and efficacy of the long-term use of this product in the treatment of other disorders have not been established.

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NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Published Studies Related to Retin-A (Tretinoin Topical)

Tolerability of high-dose topical tretinoin: the Veterans Affairs Topical Tretinoin Chemoprevention Trial. [2009.10]
BACKGROUND: Topical tretinoin is a medication commonly used for acne that has potential application in the long-term treatment of photodamaged skin. However, there are few published data regarding the tolerability of high-dose tretinoin with long-term use. OBJECTIVES: To assess the long-term tolerability of tretinoin 0.1% cream... CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the tolerability level of topical tretinoin was high in this study population, with almost 40% of the tretinoin group reporting no side-effects, and the majority (67%) tolerating at least once-daily dosing at 6-month follow-up. High-dose topical tretinoin is feasible for long-term use in this population.

Benefits of using a hydroquinone/tretinoin skin care system in patients undergoing intense pulsed light therapy for photorejuvenation: a placebo-controlled study. [2009.09]
A hydroquinone/tretinoin (HQ/tret) skin care system designed for use with non-surgical facial rejuvenation procedures has recently become available. In this observer-masked study, 36 patients with moderate-to-severe wrinkling of the skin around the eyes and lips were randomly assigned to use either the 4% hydroquinone/0.05% tretinoin skin care system or placebo products, each day for 90 days...

Quality of life in the actinic neoplasia syndrome: The VA Topical Tretinoin Chemoprevention (VATTC) Trial. [2009.08]
BACKGROUND: Keratinocyte carcinomas (KCs) are the most common malignancies of the skin. As lesions have a low mortality rate, understanding quality-of-life (QoL) factors is necessary in their management. OBJECTIVE: To assess QoL and associated patient characteristics in those with a history of keratinocyte carcinomas... CONCLUSIONS: A history of ever use of 5-FU and present AKs was strongly associated with worse QoL. We find it more useful to consider these patients as having the chronic condition "actinic neoplasia syndrome," whose burden may be best measured by factors other than their history of KCs.

Comparative efficacy and safety results of two topical combination acne regimens. [2009.07]
Combination therapy has become the standard for the management of acne, particularly for moderate-to-severe cases... Both treatment regimens were well-tolerated.

Reappraising the phototoxicity of tretinoin: a report of four controlled clinical trials. [2009.06]
BACKGROUND: Retinoids are photoreactive molecules found in skin and retinal tissue. The use of retinoids in pharmacologic doses, applied topically, raises the potential of phototoxicities. Recent review articles and current US drug labeling indicate that tretinoin is a phototoxin. In developing a new formulation of topical all-trans-retinoic acid (tretinoin), formal testing of dermal photoreactions was therefore undertaken... CONCLUSION: The findings in these studies are consistent with previous studies of tretinoin in various formulations, and support the conclusion that tretinoin appears to be neither phototoxic nor photoallergenic in vivo.

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Clinical Trials Related to Retin-A (Tretinoin Topical)

A Study of Acne Treatment in Children Ages 9 to 11 [Recruiting]

Evaluation of Irritation That Potentially Could be Caused by Two Facial Gels Applied to Opposite Sides of the Face [Recruiting]
A study to compare the skin irritation potential of two marketed gels for acne treatment, each applied to half of the face of healthy volunteers.

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PATIENT REVIEWS / RATINGS / COMMENTS

Retin-A review by 24 year old female patient
		Rating
Overall rating:
Effectiveness:		Highly Effective
Side effects:		Mild Side Effects
		Treatment Info
Condition / reason:		minor acne
Dosage & duration:		.01 (dosage frequency: every day) for the period of a year
Other conditions:		dry skin
Other drugs taken:		none
		Reported Results
Benefits:		My skin stopped breaking out as often and became much softer and smoother. The color really improved as well - much less blotchy and more "dewy."
Side effects:		Very dry skin. A lot of peeling.
Comments:		After washing my face with a gentle cleanser, I would wait 20 minutes and then put on the cream. I would then wait another 20 minutes and put some lotion on because the tretnoin was just too drying.

Retin-A review by 28 year old male patient
		Rating
Overall rating:
Effectiveness:		Moderately Effective
Side effects:		Moderate Side Effects
		Treatment Info
Condition / reason:		Acne
Dosage & duration:		0.01% (dosage frequency: once a day) for the period of 2 years
Other conditions:		none
Other drugs taken:		none
		Reported Results
Benefits:		Reduced acne. I had mild/moderate acne, and Retin-A did decrease the amount of ance I had. I liked Retin-A also because it reduces wrinkles. I am only 28, so I don't have many wrinkles, but used it as prevention.
Side effects:		My skin would become too dry. It seemed that even after months of usage, my ance would not completely disappear. If I used more Retin-A, my acne would get better for a week or two until my skin became too dry and then I would have worse acne
Comments:		I would apply Retin-A to my face once a day at night

Retin-A review by 16 year old female patient
		Rating
Overall rating:
Effectiveness:		Marginally Effective
Side effects:		Mild Side Effects
		Treatment Info
Condition / reason:		Acne
Dosage & duration:		Do not remember (dosage frequency: applied once a day) for the period of 3 months
Other conditions:		Acne only
Other drugs taken:		Antibiotics for acne
		Reported Results
Benefits:		Occasionally, acne would subside slightly.
Side effects:		Excessively dry skin and irritation
Comments:		I was to apply the Retin-A cream twice a day but the side effects outweighed any effects of treatment.