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Altreno Coupon - Altreno 45g of 0.05% tube of lotion

Altreno

tretinoin
Used for Acne
Used for Acne

Altreno (tretinoin) is a retinoid medication that's used to treat acne in people 9 years and older. Altreno (tretinoin) is a lotion that you apply once daily to the affected area(s) on your skin. It isn't sold over the counter and requires a prescription. Some side effects of Altreno (tretinoin) include dryness, pain, and redness where you apply the medication.

Reviewed by:
reviewer
Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD
reviewer
Cydnee Ng, PharmD
Last reviewed on February 22, 2024
BasicsSide effectsPros & consPharmacist tipsFAQsWarningsDosageCostAlternativesLatest newsImagesReferencesPricesMedicare
basics-icon

What is Altreno (tretinoin)?

What is Altreno (tretinoin) used for?

  • Acne

How Altreno (tretinoin) works

Tretinoin is a retinoid, which is a chemical formed from vitamin A. It's thought to help treat acne by unclogging pores in your skin that are plugged with dead skin cells and excessive oil. It also replaces your old skin cells with new skin cells to prevent acne and pimples from forming.

Are you looking for information on tretinoin (Retin-A) for acne or tretinoin cream (Renova) for wrinkles instead?

Drug Facts

Common BrandsAltreno
Drug ClassRetinoid
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusNo lower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only

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$136.96(save 59.62%)
GoodRx discount
$55.30
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What are the side effects of Altreno (tretinoin)?

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

  • Dry skin at application site (4%)
  • Pain at application site (3%)
  • Redness at application site (2%)

Other Side Effects

  • Irritation at application site
  • Peeling at application site

Serious Side Effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
  • Severe allergic reaction: itchy, red rash (hives); shortness of breath; chest tightness; swelling of lips, tongue, face, or eyes

Source: DailyMed

More on Altreno (tretinoin) side effects

Health: Retin-A: side effects tretinoin

Tretinoin for Acne: 5 Side Effects and How to Manage Them

Written by Niousha Nader, PharmD, BCCCP

The following side effects have also been reported

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):

  • Change in skin color
  • Mild skin irritation, redness, or dryness
pros-and-cons

Pros and cons of Altreno (tretinoin)

thumbs-up

Pros

Applied once daily

Applied directly on the affected area(s)

Can use for acne in children as young as 9 years old

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Cons

Can take many weeks before you notice improvement in your skin

Causes your skin to be more sensitive to sunlight, which can lead to sunburns

Might not be the best option for people with fish allergies

pharmacist-tips

Pharmacist tips for Altreno (tretinoin)

pharmacist

  • Apply Altreno (tretinoin) onto the affected skin once daily. For best results, use it consistently (around the same time each day) and exactly as prescribed.

    • When you're ready to use Altreno (tretinoin), first gently wash your skin and pat it dry. Then, squeeze or pump some lotion onto your fingertip and apply the medication as a thin layer over the affected area(s) on your skin.

      • Only apply Altreno (tretinoin) to your skin. Don't get it in your eyes, mouth, corners of your nose, or vagina. Wash your hands after you use the medication to avoid getting it on other parts of your body. Otherwise, it could cause irritation.

        • Don't apply Altreno (tretinoin) to areas of broken skin, since this could cause more medication to get absorbed into your body and raise your risk of side effects. Also avoid applying the medication to skin that has eczema or to sunburned skin; doing so can cause more irritation.

          • It's normal for Altreno (tretinoin) to cause skin dryness, redness, pain, and peeling. You can use a moisturizer to try to help soothe dry skin. Contact your prescriber if these side effects are very bothersome or don't go away.

            • Altreno (tretinoin) can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Avoid sunlamps, tanning beds, and ultraviolet light during treatment with this medication. If you need to go outside, make sure to wear sunscreen and protective clothing to protect your skin from sunburns.

              • You can use Altreno (tretinoin) with makeup. Just make sure to apply the medication first and wait a few minutes before putting on your makeup on top.

                faqs

                Frequently asked questions about Altreno (tretinoin)

                How long does Altreno (tretinoin) take to work?
                In clinical studies, some people saw improvement in their acne within the first 4 weeks of using Altreno (tretinoin). But it could take up to 12 weeks for you to see significant improvement in your skin. Don't get discouraged if you don't see any improvements right away; continue using Altreno (tretinoin) and talk with your prescriber or dermatologist if you're not sure whether the medication is working for you. And if your skin does start to clear up, remember to continue to use Altreno (tretinoin) so that it keeps working to treat your acne.
                Can you use Altreno (tretinoin) while pregnant?
                There isn't enough information to know how safe Altreno (tretinoin) is to use during pregnancy. In general, it isn't recommended to use Altreno (tretinoin) while you're pregnant. This is because Altreno (tretinoin) is similar to another acne medication called isotretinoin, which is known to have a high risk for birth defects. And some of the Altreno (tretinoin) lotion can still get absorbed into your bloodstream through your skin. This could cause harm to your unborn baby. Discuss the risks and benefits of using Altreno (tretinoin) with a healthcare professional if you're pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant.
                How often can you use Altreno (tretinoin)?
                Altreno (tretinoin) is FDA approved for use once a day. Follow your prescriber's instructions carefully because they might have you apply the lotion differently. For example, your prescriber might recommend that you apply it less often than every day if you're having a lot of skin irritation from the medication.
                How do you use Altreno (tretinoin)?
                Before you apply Altreno (tretinoin), gently wash your skin and pat it dry. Altreno (tretinoin) comes in a tube and pump. No matter which one you're using, squeeze or pump some of the lotion onto your fingertip and apply a thin layer over the affected area(s) on your skin. Be sure to use Altreno (tretinoin) how your prescriber tells you to. Wash your hands afterwards to avoid getting medication into your eyes or on other parts of your body. Ask your prescriber or pharmacist if you have questions about how to use Altreno (tretinoin).
                Is Altreno (tretinoin) a steroid?
                No, Altreno (tretinoin) isn't a steroid. It belongs to the drug class called retinoids. Like steroids, Altreno (tretinoin) can help lessen inflammation. But steroids are typically reserved for more severe acne since they can have many side effects.
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                What are the risks and warnings for Altreno (tretinoin)?

                Altreno (tretinoin) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

                risk-warning

                Skin irritation

                • Risk factors: Sensitive skin | Eczema

                  Altreno (tretinoin) can cause skin redness, dryness, pain, and irritation where you apply it. Consider using a moisturizer to help with dry skin. Stop using the medication until your skin heals if your skin irritation doesn't go away. Avoid areas of skin that are sunburned or have eczema, since these areas are more prone to irritation. Discuss with your primary care provider or dermatologist to see whether you need to use Altreno (tretinoin) less often so that you can tolerate it better or whether you need a different medication.

                  risk-warning

                  Sunburns

                  • Risk factors: High levels of sun exposure | Having skin that burns easily | Living in a hot climate | Working outdoors

                    Using Altreno (tretinoin) can make your skin more sensitive to both natural sunlight and artificial sunlight from sunlamps. This can cause your skin to burn more easily. Having skin that's more sensitive to light might also raise your risk of early aging of the skin or skin cancer.

                    It's important to protect your skin from sunlight by finding shade outdoors, using sunscreen when you're outside (even on cloudy days), and wearing sun-protective clothing (like hats). Also avoid using sunlamps. Ask your primary care provider or dermatologist about which SPF (sun protection factor) level of sunscreen will protect you best. Stop using Altreno (tretinoin) until your skin fully heals if you get sunburned.

                    risk-warning

                    Use with caution for people with fish allergies

                    • Risk factors: Allergy to fish or fish-containing products

                      Altreno (tretinoin) is made with fish proteins. Be careful using this medication if you have an allergy to fish. Let your prescriber know if you develop a red, itchy rash (hives). You might have to stop using Altreno (tretinoin).

                      dosage

                      Altreno (tretinoin) dosage forms

                      The average cost for 1 tube of 45g of 0.05% of Altreno (tretinoin) is $123.43 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 9.88% off the average retail price of $136.96.
                      tube of lotion
                      Tube of lotion
                      DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
                      20g of 0.05%1 tube$55.30$55.30
                      45g of 0.05%1 tube$123.43$123.43

                      Typical dosing for Altreno (tretinoin)

                      Apply a thin layer to the affected area(s) once daily.

                      drug-cost

                      How much does Altreno (tretinoin) cost?

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                      Altreno (brand)
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                      alternatives

                      What are alternatives to Altreno (tretinoin)?

                      There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Altreno (tretinoin). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
                      Altreno (tretinoin)
                      Used for:

                      • Acne

                      $55.30 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                      Benzoyl peroxide
                      Used for:

                      • Acne

                      $12.39 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                      Azelaic acid (Finacea)
                      Used for:

                      • Treatment of papules and pustules in adults with mild-to-moderate rosacea

                      $38.00 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                      images

                      Altreno (tretinoin) images

                      yellow - Altreno 0.05% Topical Lotion
                      This medicine is Yellow Tube Of Lotion.yellow - Altreno 0.05% Topical Lotion

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                      References

                      Best studies we found

                      Bausch Health US, LLC. (2020). Altreno- tretinoin lotion [package insert]. DailyMed.

                      Bhatia, N., et al. (2020). A split-face, controlled study to assess the compatibility of tretinoin 0.05% acne lotion with facial foundation makeup. The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology.

                      Kircik, L. H., et al. (2019). Matrix revisited: Innovative approach for tretinoin. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology.

                      View All References (3)

                      Mother To Baby | Fact Sheets. (2022). Tropical tretinoin. Organization of Teratology Information Specialists (OTIS).

                      VanBuren, C. A., et al. (2022). Vitamin A in skin and hair: An update. Nutrients.

                      Yoham, A. L., et al. (2023). Tretinoin. StatPearls.

                      GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.
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