Altreno

Altreno is a prescription medication used to treat acne in adults and children 9 years of age or older.

Altreno belongs to a group of drugs called retinoids. These work by binding to retinoic acid receptors which affects the growth of skin cells. Altreno unclogs pores by increasing the rate at which new skin cells are produced and shed. It also prevents dead skin cells from clumping together and clogging pores in the first place.

This medication comes in topical lotion form. It is applied to acne lesions in a thin layer once daily.

Common side effects of Altreno include skin dryness, pain, and redness.

Altreno is a prescription medication used to treat acne in adults and children 9 years of age or older.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Serious side effects have been reported with Altreno. See the “Altreno Precautions” section.

Common side effects of Altreno include the following effects at the site of application:

• Dryness
• Pain
• Redness
• Irritation
• Itching
• Burning

This is not a complete list of Altreno side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effects that bother you or that do not go away. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

No drug interactions have been determined by the manufacturer. However, you should tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Not all drug interactions are known or reported and new drug interactions are continually being reported.

Serious side effects have been reported with Altreno including:

• Skin irritation. Altreno may cause irritation including skin dryness, pain, redness, excessive flaking or peeling. If you develop these symptoms, your healthcare provider may tell you to use a moisturizer, decrease the number of times you apply Altreno, or completely stop treatment with Altreno. Avoid applying Altreno to skin that is affected by eczema or sunburned skin.

Do not take Altreno if you are allergic to Altreno or to any of its ingredients.

Medications can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of Altreno, there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving this medication.

Before using Altreno, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you:

• are allergic to fish. Altreno contains fish proteins. Tell your healthcare provider if you get hives or itching while using Altreno.
• have eczema or any other skin problems.
• have a sunburn.
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if Altreno will harm your unborn baby.
• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if Altreno passes into your breast milk. 

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

No well-controlled studies have been done in humans. This medication may be used if the potential benefits to the mother outweigh the potential risks to the unborn child. Talk to your doctor about the risk to your unborn baby before using Altreno.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

It is not known if Altreno crosses into human milk after topical administration. Because many medications can cross into human milk and because of the possibility for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants with use of this medication, a choice should be made whether to stop nursing or stop the use of this medication. Your doctor and you will consider the benefits of breastfeeding and the need for Altreno and its adverse effects to the baby, if any.

Use Altreno exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to use it.

Apply a thin layer of Altreno to cover the affected areas 1 time each day.

Avoid sunlamps, tanning beds, and ultraviolet light during treatment with Altreno. Minimize exposure to sunlight. If you have to be in the sunlight or are sensitive to sunlight, use a sunscreen with a SPF (sun protection factor) of 15 or more and wear protective clothing and a wide-brimmed hat to cover the treated areas.

Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully.

The dose your doctor recommends may be based on the following:

• The condition being treated

• Other medical conditions you have

• How you respond to this medication

Apply a thin layer of Altreno lotion to the affected area on the skin once daily.

If you use too much of Altreno, call your healthcare provider or local Poison Control Center, or seek emergency medical attention right away.

• Store Altreno at room temperature between 68° to 77°F (20° to 25°C).
• Do not freeze. 

• Keep Altreno and all medicines out of the reach of children.