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Atralin
Used for Acne
Used for Acne
Atralin (tretinoin) is a prescription topical retinoid used to treat acne in adults and children 10 years and older. It comes as a gel that's applied to affected areas of the skin once a day. Common side effects include dry skin, peeling or flaking, burning, and redness.
What is Atralin (tretinoin)?
What is Atralin (tretinoin) used for?
How Atralin (tretinoin) works
When does Atralin (tretinoin) start working?Time passed since treatment started:
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Atralin |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Retinoid |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | Lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
More on Atralin (tretinoin) essentials
Side effects of Atralin (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 (16%)
- Peeling, scaling, or flaking skin (12%)
- Skin burning sensation (8%)
- Skin redness (7%)
- Itchy skin (2%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Skin pain
- Sunburn
- Changes in skin color
Atralin (tretinoin) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Severe allergic reaction: hives, severe itching, swelling, trouble breathing
More on Atralin (tretinoin) side effects
The following Atralin (tretinoin) side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine 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:
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 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)
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Pros and cons of Atralin (tretinoin)
Pros
- Only applied once daily
- Gel formulation designed to reduce skin irritation
- Approved for adults and children ages 10 years and older
Cons
- Acne can take several weeks to improve
- Can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight
- Might not be the best option for people with fish allergies
Pharmacist tips for Atralin (tretinoin)
- Apply Atralin (tretinoin) once a day in the evening before bedtime. Acne treatments take time to work, so use it regularly even if you don't see improvement right away.
- Atralin (tretinoin) can cause dryness, redness, pain, and peeling, and your acne might temporarily get worse at first. A moisturizer can help with dryness. Contact your prescriber if irritation is severe or doesn't improve.
- Atralin (tretinoin) can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Avoid tanning beds and sunlamps, and wear sunscreen and protective clothing when you're outside.
- You can wear makeup while using Atralin (tretinoin). Make sure to remove it and gently clean your skin before applying the medication.
- Cold weather, wind, and certain skin products can cause more irritation while you're using Atralin (tretinoin). If your skin becomes irritated, let it recover before applying the medication again.
- Pregnancy: Atralin (tretinoin) generally isn't recommended during pregnancy. Talk to a healthcare professional about the risks and benefits if you're pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
- Breastfeeding: Only a small amount of Atralin (tretinoin) is expected to enter your body through your skin, so it's considered low risk while breastfeeding. Talk to your prescriber before using it while breastfeeding.
How to use Atralin (tretinoin)
- Before you apply the gel, gently wash your skin with a mild cleanser and pat it dry.
- Apply a thin layer to the affected skin and gently rub it in.
- Wash your hands after applying the gel, unless your hands are the area being treated. This helps prevent accidentally getting the medication in your eyes or other sensitive areas.
- Don't apply the gel to broken, sunburned, or eczema-affected skin. These areas can become more irritated.
Risks and warnings for Atralin (tretinoin)
Atralin (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.
Skin irritation
- Risk factors: Sunburned or irritated skin | Eczema | Washing or scrubbing your skin too often | Contact with lime peels
Atralin (tretinoin) can cause dryness, redness, peeling, or irritation where you apply it. To help prevent irritation, wash your skin gently with a mild cleanser, avoid scrubbing or washing too often, and use a moisturizer if needed. Also avoid contact with lime peels, which can irritate your skin.
Tell your care team if your skin becomes very irritated. They might recommend using less medication, applying it less often, pausing treatment, or stopping it.
Sun sensitivity
- Risk factors: Spending a lot of time in the sun | Having skin that's sensitive to sunlight | Using sunlamps or tanning beds | Cold or windy weather
Atralin (tretinoin) can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and more likely to become irritated from cold or windy weather. Limit time in the sun and avoid sunlamps and tanning beds. When you're outside, use sunscreen with at least SPF 15 and wear protective clothing over treated skin.
Use with caution in people with fish allergies
- Risk factors: Allergy to fish or fish-containing products
Atralin (tretinoin) contains fish proteins, which might cause an allergic reaction if you have a fish allergy. Tell your care team about any fish allergies before starting treatment. Contact them if you develop itching or hives after using the medication.
Atralin (tretinoin) dosage
The average cost for 1 tube of 45g of 0.05% of Atralin (tretinoin) is $101.78 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 42.81% off the average retail price of $177.96. 
Tube of gel
Tube of gel| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 45g of 0.05% | 1 tube | $101.78 | $101.78 |
Interactions between Atralin (tretinoin) and other drugs
Atralin (tretinoin) may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Atralin (tretinoin). Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.
How much does Atralin (tretinoin) cost?
To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
What are alternatives to Atralin (tretinoin)?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Atralin (tretinoin). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
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Atralin (tretinoin) images
