RENOVA®
(TRETINOIN CREAM) 0.02%
(reh-NO-vah)
Generic Name: Tretinoin Cream (0.02%)
Use only on the Face
Read this leaflet carefully before you start to use your medicine. Read the information you get every time you get more medicine. There may be new information about the drug. This leaflet does not take the place of talks with your doctor. It is important for you to talk with your doctor about how to use RENOVA for the best results and how to reduce side effects.
What is the Most Important Information about RENOVA?
RENOVA is a serious medicine. Do not use RENOVA if you are pregnant or attempting
to become pregnant. If you become pregnant while using RENOVA, please contact
your doctor immediately.
Avoid sunlight and other medicines that may increase your sensitivity to sunlight (See "Who should not use RENOVA?"). RENOVA 0.02% does not remove wrinkles or repair sun-damaged skin. (See "What is RENOVA?" for more details.)
What is RENOVA?
RENOVA 0.02% is a prescription medicine that may reduce fine facial wrinkles. It is for patients who are using a total skin care and sunlight avoidance program. RENOVA does not remove wrinkles or repair sun-damaged skin. RENOVA does not work for everyone who uses it. It may work better for some patients than for others.
RENOVA should be used only under the guidance of your doctor as part of a sunlight
avoidance and total skin care program. This program should include avoiding
sunlight as much as possible, using clothing to protect you from sunlight, using
sunscreens with a minimum SPF of 15, and using face creams that add moisture
to the skin. When you use RENOVA, you will not see improvement right away. Generally,
you may notice some effects in 3 to 4 months. If RENOVA treatment is stopped,
the improvement may gradually disappear.
The use of RENOVA 0.02% in patients for more than 52 weeks has not been studied. Therefore, it is not known if RENOVA 0.02% is safe or works if used longer than 52 weeks. In a study in people with medium to dark skin color. RENOVA 0.02% has not demonstrated a benefit over a sunlight avoidance and total skin care program. RENOVA 0.02% has not been studied in people with visible actinic keratoses or in people with a history of skin cancer.
Who should not use RENOVA?
Do not use RENOVA if:
- you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. If you become pregnant while
using RENOVA, please contact your doctor immediately.
- you are sunburned or your skin is irritated
- you are highly sensitive to sunlight
- you are allergic to any of the ingredients in RENOVA. The active ingredient
is tretinoin. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about the inactive ingredients.
RENOVA can cause increased skin irritation and increased chance of sunburn.
Tell your doctor if you have any skin condition. RENOVA may not be right for you.
Because RENOVA may make your skin more likely to burn from sunlight, tell your doctor if you are using other medicines that increase sensitivity to sunlight. You should not use RENOVA with such medicines. These include, but are not limited to:
- thiazides (to treat high blood pressure}
- tetracyclines, fluoroquinolones, sulfonamides (to treat infection)
- phenothiazines (to treat serious emotional problems)
If you are taking any prescription or non-prescription medicines, check with your doctor to make sure you can use RENOVA with them.
We do not know if RENOVA is passed to infants through breast milk. Therefore, tell your doctor if you are breast feeding.
How should I use RENOVA?
Use RENOVA as part of a total skin care and sun avoidance program. Follow your doctor's instructions on how to use RENOVA. RENOVA is usually applied to the face once a day in the evening, following the 3 steps listed below:
- Gently wash your face with a mild soap.
- Pat the skin dry and wait 20-30 minutes before applying RENOVA.
- Apply only a small pearl-sized amount (about Va inch or 5 mm diameter) of
RENOVA to the face at one time. It should be enough to cover your affected
area lightly. Be especially careful when applying RENOVA to avoid your eyes,
ears, nostrils, angles of the nose, and mouth. RENOVA may cause severe redness,
itching, burning, stinging, and peeling if used on these areas.
Using too much RENOVA may increase discomfort and skin redness and peeling.
You may use cosmetics one hour after applying RENOVA. If you do, be sure to clean your face before applying RENOVA again. Skin moisturizers should be used at least every morning to protect the treated areas from dryness.
Use sunscreen and wear protective clothing to protect the treated areas from sunlight. If you sunburn easily, or if you spend a lot of time exposed to sunlight, be especially careful to protect your skin.
What should I avoid while using RENOVA?
RENOVA can make your treated skin more sensitive to sunlight. Therefore, keep out of the sunlight as much as possible and do not use sunlamps. Avoid as much as possible products that can increase skin irritation, such as:
- other skin medicines
- medicated or abrasive (rough) soaps
- permanent wave solutions
- chemical hair removers or waxes
- electrolysis
- products with alcohol, spices, astringents, or lime
- cleansers, shampoos, or cosmetics with a strong drying effect
- other products that may irritate your skin
What are the possible side effects of RENOVA?
You may feel brief warmth or stinging on your skin after you use RENOVA. Most patients report peeling, dry skin, burning, stinging, itching, and redness. These are usually mild to moderate and occur early in treatment. Contact your doctor if the side effects are a problem.
General advice about prescription medicines
Medicines are sometimes prescribed for conditions that are not mentioned in
patient information leaflets. Only use RENOVA to treat the condition that your
doctor has prescribed it for. Do not give RENOVA to other people. It may harm
them.
This leaflet summarizes the most important information about RENOVA. If you
would like more information, talk with your doctor.
You can ask your pharmacist or doctor for information about RENOVA that is
written for health professionals.
Storage: Store at 25° (77°F), excursions permitted to 15-30°C
(59°-86°F).
Last updated on RxList: 12/10/2008