What should I avoid while taking tretinoin topical?
Avoid exposure to sunlight or artificial UV rays (sunlamps or tanning beds). Tretinoin
topical can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and sunburn may result. Use a sunscreen
(minimum SPF 15) and wear protective clothing if you must be out in the sun.
Avoid getting this medication in your eyes, mouth, and nose, or on your lips. If it does get
into any of these areas, wash with water. Do not use tretinoin topical on skin that is sunburned,
windburned, dry, chapped, or irritated. Also avoid using this medication in wounds or on areas of
eczema. Wait until these conditions have healed before using tretinoin topical.
Avoid using skin products that can cause irritation, such as harsh soaps, shampoos, or skin
cleansers, hair coloring or permanent chemicals, hair removers or waxes, or skin products with alcohol,
spices, astringents, or lime. Do not use other medication skin products unless your doctor has told you
to.
Your skin may be more sensitive to weather extremes such as cold and wind while using this
medicine.
What other drugs will affect tretinoin topical?
Do not use skin products that contain benzoyl peroxide, sulfur, resorcinol, or salicylic acid
unless otherwise directed by your doctor. These products can cause severe skin irritation if used with
tretinoin topical.
The following drugs can interact with tretinoin topical, which can make your skin more sensitive
to natural and artificial sunlight. Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you are using any of
these:
-
a diuretic (water pill);
-
tetracycline (Sumycin, Panmycin, Robitet), minocycline
(Minocin), doxycycline (Doryx, Vibramycin), demeclocycline (Declomycin), and others;
-
an antibiotic such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro), ofloxacin
(Floxin), and others;
-
a sulfa drug such as Bactrim, Septra, Cotrim, and others;
or
-
chlorpromazine (Thorazine), prochlorperazine (Compazine),
fluphenazine (Permitil, Prolixin), promethazine (Phenergan, Promethegan), perphenazine
(Trilafon), and others.
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can affect tretinoin
topical. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This
includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using
a new medication without telling your doctor.