Retinoid (Tretinoin) Cream for Warts
Examples
| tretinoin |
Avita, Renova, Retin-A |
How It Works
Tretinoin is derived from vitamin A, one of a class of substances
called retinoids. Retinoid cream disrupts the wart's skin cell growth. Follow
your health professional's instructions for applying it at home.
Why It Is Used
Retinoids are commonly used to treat acne and aging skin.
How Well It Works
Experts don't know whether tretinoin cream is an effective treatment for common warts.
Side Effects
Oral use of retinoid medicine is linked with serious birth
defects. So tretinoin cream is not recommended for pregnant
women.
When applied to the skin, tretinoin cream can cause:
- Dry, irritated skin.
- Changes in
skin color.
- Sunlight sensitivity (requiring sunscreen use or
covering of treated skin).
- Red, swollen, crusted, or blistered
skin.
Overuse of tretinoin cream can increase skin irritation without
improving treatment results.
See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference
is not available in all systems.)
What To Think About
Tretinoin safety data for children and breast-feeding women is not
well established.
Tretinoin treatment of women who are or could be pregnant is not
recommended.
Do not use tretinoin cream in combination with another topical
treatment, such as salicylic acid, because significant skin irritation can
result.
Complete the new medication information form (PDF)(What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.
Credits
|
By
|
Healthwise Staff |
|
Primary Medical Reviewer
|
Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
|
Specialist Medical Reviewer
|
Alexander H. Murray, MD, FRCPC - Dermatology |
|
Last Revised
|
September 2, 2010 |
Last Revised:
September 2, 2010
