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Retin-A

Generic: Tretinoin

Verified·Apr 23, 2026
Manufacturer
Bausch Health
NDC
0187-5140
RxCUI
106302
Route
TOPICAL
ICD-10 indication
L70.0

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About Retin-A

What is this medication?

Retin-A is a topical prescription medication containing the active ingredient tretinoin, which is a derivative of vitamin A. It is primarily used to treat acne by helping to clear up existing pimples and preventing new ones from forming. The cream or gel works by affecting the growth of skin cells and increasing the rate of cell turnover, which helps to keep pores clear and reduces the formation of blackheads and whiteheads.

Beyond its use for acne, Retin-A is often prescribed to improve the appearance of the skin by reducing fine wrinkles, smoothing rough texture, and lightening dark spots. It functions by stimulating the production of collagen and speeding up the shedding of older skin cells, allowing healthier cells to surface. Because it makes the skin more sensitive to sunlight, patients are typically advised to use it at night and apply sunscreen during the day to prevent irritation or sun damage.

Copay & patient assistance

  • Patient Copay Amount: $0 (Free)
  • Maximum Annual Benefit Limit: Not Publicly Available
  • Core Eligibility Restrictions: Patients must have limited or no insurance coverage; Medicaid patients are eligible if their plan no longer covers the medication; must have a valid prescription and demonstrate financial need.
  • RxBIN, PCN, and Group numbers: Not Publicly Available

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Prescribing information

From the FDA-approved label for Retin-A. Official source: DailyMed (NLM) · Label effective Sep 1, 2025

Indications and usage
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE RETIN-A MICRO ® is indicated for the topical treatment of acne vulgaris in adults and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older. RETIN-A MICRO is a retinoid indicated for the topical treatment of acne vulgaris in adults and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older. ( 1)
Dosage and administration
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION For topical use only. Not for oral, ophthalmic, or intravaginal use. • Prior to RETIN-A MICRO use, thoroughly cleanse area(s) with a mild, non-medicated cleanser then pat the skin dry. • When applying RETIN-A MICRO, keep away from the eyes, the mouth, paranasal creases of the nose, and mucous membranes. • Apply a thin layer of RETIN-A MICRO (0.04%, 0.06%, 0.08%, or 0.1%) to skin where acne lesions appear (cover the entire affected area), once daily in the evening. Do not apply more than a thin layer [see Warning and Precautions (5.1) ] . Improvements in acne lesions may be noticed after two weeks of RETIN-A MICRO therapy, but more than seven weeks of therapy may be needed for sustained benefit. If RETIN-A MICRO was temporarily discontinued due to local adverse reactions, RETIN-A MICRO therapy may be resumed upon resolution of local adverse reactions. • For topical use only. Not for oral, ophthalmic, or intravaginal use. ( 2 ) • Keep away from eyes, mouth, paranasal creases of the nose, and mucous membranes. ( 2 ) • Apply a thin layer of RETIN-A MICRO to skin where acne lesions appear (cover the entire affected area) (0.04%, 0.06%, 0.08%, or 0.1%) once daily in the evening ( 2 ).
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS None. None. ( 4 )
Warnings and precautions
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS • Local Skin Irritation : RETIN-A MICRO can cause local skin irritation, including excessive dryness, redness, swelling, peeling, itching, blistering, burning, or stinging ( 5.1 ) • Avoid use on eczematous skin or during weather extremes, such as severe wind or cold. • To reduce the risk of local skin irritation, wash the treated skin gently, using a mild, non-medicated soap, avoid washing the treated skin too often or scrubbing it hard when washing, and apply a topical moisturizer. • If severe local skin irritation occurs, discontinue use temporarily or permanently. • Initial Worsening of Inflammatory Acne Vulgaris : During the early weeks of RETIN-A MICRO treatment, an apparent exacerbation of inflammatory lesions may occur. If RETIN-A MICRO is tolerated, this should not be considered a reason to discontinue therapy. ( 5.2 ) • Photosensitivity : RETIN-A MICRO can cause photosensitivity. Advise patients to avoid or minimize unnecessary exposure to UV light, including sunlight and sunlamps. Advise patients to use sunscreen (SPF ≥15) and sun-protective clothing if UV light exposure cannot be avoided. Avoid use on sunburn skin. ( 5.3 ) 5.1 Local Skin Irritation RETIN-A MICRO can cause local skin irritation, including excessive dryness, redness, swelling, peeling, itching, blistering, burning, or stinging [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ] . Use of RETIN-A MICRO in greater than the recommended dosage (more frequent than once daily application or excessive application) will not result in more rapid or improved acne results and may result in marked redness, peeling, or discomfort. Tretinoin has been reported to cause severe local skin irritation on eczematous skin. Weather extremes, such as severe wind or cold, may increase the risk of skin irritation in patients using RETIN-A MICRO. To reduce the risk of local skin irritation, instruct RETIN-A MICRO-treated patients to: • Avoid use of RETIN-A MICRO in areas affected by eczema. • Minimize or avoid use of RETIN-A MICRO with weather extremes. • Wash the treated skin gently, using a mild, non-medicated soap, pat it dry, and avoid washing the treated skin too often or scrubbing it hard when washing. RETIN-A MICRO is not recommended with concomitant use of medicated or abrasive soaps and cleansers, products that have a strong drying effect, products with high concentrations of alcohol, astringents, spices, or lime peels. • Apply a topical moisturizer. Advise patients that concomitant use of topical over the counter (OTC) acne products containing benzoyl peroxide, sulfur, resorcinol, or salicylic acid with RETIN-A MICRO may increase the risk for local skin irritation including dryness, erythema, and peeling. Consider withholding the use of topical OTC acne products if signs of skin irritation develop. Advise patients to allow the skin irritation effects of the topical OTC acne products to subside before initiation of RETIN-A MICRO treatment. If severe local skin irritation occurs, discontinue RETIN-A MICRO use temporarily or permanently. Efficacy of RETIN-A MICRO at reduced frequencies of application has not been established. 5.2 Initial Worsening of Inflammatory Acne Vulgaris During the early weeks of RETIN-A MICRO treatment, an apparent exacerbation of inflammatory acne vulgaris lesions may occur. If RETIN-A MICRO is tolerated, initial worsening of inflammatory acne vulgaris lesions should not be considered a reason to discontinue therapy. 5.3 Photosensitivity RETIN-A MICRO can cause photosensitivity. Advise patients to avoid or minimize unnecessary exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light, including sunlight and sunlamps, while using RETIN-A MICRO. Advise patients with sunburn to not use RETIN-A MICRO until the sunburn fully recovers. Advise patients, especially those who may be required to have extended periods of UV light exposure (e.g., due to occupation or sports), those with inherent sensitivity to the sun, or those using drugs that cause photosensitivity, to use sun protection daily in the form of sunscreen (sun protection factor [SPF] ≥ 15) and sun-protective clothing, when UV exposure cannot be avoided, even on days when it is not sunny or inside activities are expected.
Adverse reactions
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS Most common adverse reactions were skin irritation, skin burning, erythema, peeling, dryness, itching, and dermatitis. (6.1) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Bausch Health US, LLC at 1-800-321-4576 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. RETIN-A MICRO, 0.1% The safety of RETIN-A MICRO, 0.1% for the treatment of acne vulgaris was evaluated in two multicenter, double-blind, randomized, vehicle-controlled clinical trials (Studies 1 and 2). A total of 347 subjects with acne vulgaris were treated in Studies 1 and 2 in which 172 subjects received RETIN-A MICRO, 0.1% and 175 subjects received vehicle, applied topically once daily in the evening, for 12 weeks. Mean age was 19 years (range 11-40) and 55% were female [see Clinical Studies (14.1) ] . RETIN-A MICRO is not approved for use in pediatric patients younger than 12 years of age [see Indications and Usage (1) ] . In Studies 1 and 2, subjects treated with RETIN-A MICRO, 0.1% had increased cutaneous irritation scores for erythema, peeling, dryness, burning/stinging, or itching that peaked during the initial two weeks of therapy and decreased thereafter, compared to those treated with vehicle [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] . During the 12-week treatment period, no more than 3% of RETIN-A MICRO, 0.1%-treated subjects had cutaneous irritation scores indicative of severe cutaneous irritation and 6% (14/224) of RETIN-A MICRO 0.1%-treated subjects discontinued treatment due to cutaneous irritation. Of these 14 subjects, four had severe cutaneous irritation after 3 to 5 days of treatment, with blistering in one subject. RETIN-A MICRO, 0.04% The safety of RETIN-A MICRO, 0.04% for the treatment of acne vulgaris was evaluated in two multicenter, double-blind, randomized, vehicle-controlled clinical trials (Studies 3 and 4). A total of 451 subjects with acne vulgaris were treated in Studies 3 and 4 in which 225 subjects received RETIN-A MICRO, 0.04% and 226 subjects received vehicle, applied once daily in the evening, for 12 weeks. Mean age was 19 years (range 11-49) and 57% were female [see Clinical Studies (14.2) ] . RETIN-A MICRO is not approved for use in pediatric patients younger than 12 years of age [see Indications and Usage (1) ] . In Studies 3 and 4, subjects treated with RETIN-A MICRO, 0.04% had increased cutaneous irritation scores for erythema, peeling, dryness, burning/stinging, or itching that peaked during the initial two weeks of therapy and decreased thereafter, compared to those treated with vehicle [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] . Approximately half of the 225 subjects in the RETIN-A MICRO, 0.04%-treated group had cutaneous irritation at Week 2. Of the subjects who experienced cutaneous irritation, most had signs or symptoms that were mild in severity (severity was ranked on a 4-point ordinal scale: 0=none, 1=mild, 2=moderate, and 3=severe). Less than 10% of RETIN-A MICRO, 0.04%-treated subjects experienced moderate cutaneous irritation, and none had severe cutaneous irritation at Week 2. In Studies 3 and 4, during the 12-week treatment period, the majority of RETIN-A MICRO, 0.04%-treated subjects experienced cutaneous irritation (mild, moderate, or severe), of which, 1% (2/225) of subjects had cutaneous irritation scores indicative of a severe irritation and 1.3% (3/225) of subjects discontinued treatment due to cutaneous irritation, which included dryness in one subject and peeling and urticaria in another. RETIN-A MICRO, 0.04% and 0.1% In a double-blind trial, 156 subjects with acne vulgaris were treated for 12-weeks with RETIN-A MICRO 0.04% (n=78) or 0.1% (n=78) topically once daily. In this trial, the most frequently reported adverse events affected the skin and subcutaneous tissue (15% in the 0.04% group, and 21% in the 0.1% group). The most prevalent events in the 0.04% group were skin irritation (6%); and in the 0.1% group, skin burning (8%), erythema (5%), skin irritation (4%), and dermatitis (4%). In this trial, 63% of the adverse events were of mild intensity, and 34% were of moderate intensity. 6.2 Postmarketing Experience The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of RETIN-A MICRO and other topical tretinoin products. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure: • Hyper- or hypopigmentation has been reported with repeated application of tretinoin.
Use in pregnancy
8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Available data from published prospective observational studies and retrospective cohort studies over decades of use of topical tretinoin in pregnant women have not established a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes (see Data) . In animal reproduction studies with pregnant rats, alterations in the vertebrae and ribs of offspring were observed with daily topical dosing of 0.1% tretinoin gel (microsponge) during organogenesis at 5 to 10 times the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD). In animal reproduction studies with pregnant rabbits, fetal malformations, such as domed head and hydrocephaly, were observed in the offspring with daily topical dosing of 0.1% tretinoin gel (microsponge) during organogenesis at 10 to 19 times the MRHD [ see Data ]. The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the US general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4%, and 15% to 20%, respectively. Data Human Data: Published data from prospective observational studies and retrospective cohort studies on the use of topical tretinoin products during pregnancy have not identified an association with topical tretinoin and major birth defects or miscarriage. The available studies have methodologic limitations, including potential misclassification of exposure, small sample size and in some cases, lack of physical exam by an expert in birth defects. Animal Data: For purposes of comparison of the animal exposure to systemic human exposure, the MRHD applied topically is defined as 1 gram of Retin-A Micro (tretinoin) Gel microsphere, 0.1%, applied daily to a 60 kg person (0.017 mg tretinoin/kg body weight). Pregnant rats were treated with 0.1% tretinoin gel (microsponge) at daily dermal doses of 0.2, 0.5, and 1 mg/kg/day tretinoin on gestation days 6-15. Alterations were seen in the vertebrae and ribs of the affected offsprings at 0.5 mg/kg/day tretinoin, 5 to 10 times the MRHD based on body surface area (BSA) comparison. Pregnant rabbits were treated with 0.1% tretinoin gel (microsponge) at daily dermal doses of 0.2, 0.5, and 1 mg/kg/day tretinoin on gestation days 7-19. Doses were administered topically for 24 hours a day while wearing Elizabethan collars to prevent ingestion of the drug. Increased incidences of certain alterations, including domed head and hydrocephaly, typical of retinoid-induced fetal malformations in this species were observed at doses of 0.5 and 1 mg/kg/day. Similar malformations were not observed in the offspring at 0.2 mg/kg/day, 4 times the MRHD based on BSA comparison. In a second rabbit study, pregnant rabbits were treated with 0.1% tretinoin gel (microsponge) at daily dermal doses of 0.5 or 1 mg/kg/day tretinoin on gestation days 7-19. Doses were administered topically for six hours per day while pregnant rabbits were restrained in stocks to prevent ingestion. The offspring of pregnant rabbits exposed to 0.5 or 1 mg/kg/day tretinoin did not show any malformations at doses up to 19 times (1.0 mg/kg/day) the MRHD based on BSA comparison, but fetal resorptions were increased at 0.5 mg/kg (10 times the MRHD based on BSA comparison). Malformations (shortened or kinked tail) were observed in the offspring of pregnant rats treated with topical tretinoin at doses greater than 1 mg/kg/day during the period of organogenesis (10 times the MRHD based on BSA comparison). Anomalies (humerus: short 13%, bent 6%, os parietal incompletely ossified 14%) have also been reported in offspring when 10 mg/kg/day was topically applied to pregnant rats during the period of organogenesis. Supernumerary ribs have been a consistent finding in newborn rats when dams were treated topically or orally with retinoids. Oral administration of tretinoin during organogenesis has been shown to cause malformations in the offspring of rats, mice, rabbits, hamsters, and nonhuman primates. Fetal malformations and death were observed when tretinoin was orally administered to pregnant rats during organogenesis at doses greater than 1 mg/kg/day (10 times the MRHD based on BSA comparison). Fetal malformations were reported at doses of 10 mg/kg/day or greater when administered to pregnant cynomolgus monkeys, but none were observed at 5 mg/kg/day (95 times the MRHD based on BSA comparison), although increased skeletal variations were observed at all doses. Dose-dependent increases in embryolethality and abortion also were reported. Similar results have also been reported in pigtail macaques. In peri- and postnatal development studies in rats with oral tretinoin, decreased survival of neonates and growth retardation were observed at doses in excess of 2 mg/kg/day (19 times the MRHD based on BSA comparison). Oral tretinoin has been shown to be fetotoxic in rats when administered at doses 24 times the MRHD based on BSA comparison. Topical tretinoin has been shown to be fetotoxic in rabbits when administered at doses 10 times the MRHD based on BSA comparison.

Label text is reproduced as-is from the FDA-approved label. We do not paraphrase, summarize, or omit. Content above is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your prescribing clinician or pharmacist before making decisions about your medication.

Conditions we've indexed resources for

Click a condition to see copay cards, grants, and PA rules specific to it. For the full list of FDA-approved indications, see Prescribing information above.

Medicare Part D coverage

How Retin-A appears across Medicare Part D plan formularies nationally. Source: CMS monthly Prescription Drug Plan file (2026-04-30).

Covered by plans

2%

117 of 5,509 plans

Most common tier

Tier 2

On 67% of covering formularies

Prior authorization required

67%

of covering formularies

TierFormularies on this tierShare
Tier 1 (preferred generic)1
33%
Tier 2 (generic)2
67%

Step therapy: 0% of formularies

Quantity limits: 33% of formularies

Coverage breadth: 3 of 65 formularies

How to read this:plans on the same formulary share tier + PA rules. Your specific plan's copay depends on (a) the tier above, (b) your plan's cost-share for that tier, (c) whether you're in the initial coverage phase or past the 2026 $2,000 out-of-pocket cap. For your exact plan, check its Summary of Benefits or log in to your Medicare.gov account. Copay cards don't apply to Medicare (federal law).

Prior authorization & coverage

PayerPAStep therapyCopay tier

Medicare Part D

Related drugs

How this page is sourced

  • Drug identity verified against openFDA NDC Directory.
  • Label text (when shown) originates from NLM DailyMed.
  • Copay and assistance URLs verified periodically; if you hit a broken link, tell us.