Tretinoin gel, USP, containing tretinoin USP, is used for the topical treatment of acne vulgaris. Tretinoin gel, USP contains tretinoin USP (retinoic acid, vitamin A acid) 0.25 mg (0.025%) by weight, in a gel vehicle of alcohol (90.5% w/w), butylated hydroxytoluene and hydroxypropyl cellulose. Chemically, tretinoin is all - trans -retinoic acid and has the following structure: Chemical Structure

What kind of drug is tretinoin?

The FDA classifies tretinoin as a retinoid. Retinoids are vitamin A derivatives that enter skin cells and switch on retinoic acid receptors in the nucleus, which changes how genes are read. This normalizes how skin cells grow and shed, unclogs pores, calms inflammation, and over time boosts collagen production. If you are checking whether it is safe to combine with something else, the class is what matters — two drugs from the same class usually should not be stacked.

Can you take tretinoin with other medicines?

It depends on the medicine. We check it against the FDA labels rather than guessing: our interaction checker searches each drug's own label for the other and quotes what it says, naming the section it came from. Run tretinoin against whatever else you take — and remember that a label not naming a drug is not the same as that combination being safe.

What brand names is tretinoin sold under?

We track 7 tretinoin-containing products in the U.S.: Retin-A, Avita, Tretinoin, Atralin, Renova, Retin-A-Micro and Vesanoid. They are the same active ingredient; they differ in form, manufacturer, price and FDA recall record.

What forms does tretinoin come in?

Across the brands we track, tretinoin is currently marketed as topical and capsule, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory. Each form is dosed differently — follow the label for the exact product you were prescribed.

Is there a generic tretinoin?

Yes. Our catalog lists 1 generic tretinoin product alongside the brand versions. A generic has the same active ingredient and must meet the FDA's bioequivalence standard; it usually costs less. Ask your pharmacist which one your plan covers.

Has tretinoin been recalled?

The FDA's Enforcement database lists at least 5 recall records whose product description mentions tretinoin. The most recent: Claravis (isotretinoin capsule (Apr 6, 2026). A recall applies to specific lots, not to the drug as a whole — check the record for the affected lot numbers.

Tretinoin: uses, dosing, side effects & brands

Tretinoin is a retinoid sold in the U.S. under 7 brand and generic names, for acne vulgaris, facial dermatoses and acute promyelocytic leukemia. Below: what the FDA label says, every product that contains it, what the pills look like, and its recall record.

By the pharmaranks editorial teamReviewed against the FDA (openFDA label, NDC Directory & Enforcement) sourcesHow we research

Key facts

Drug class: Retinoid
Treats: Acne Vulgaris, Facial Dermatoses and Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia
Available as: Topical · Capsule
Sold as: 7 products — Retin-A, Avita and Tretinoin, and others
Prescription?: Prescription only
Generic available?: Yes
Typical price: about $1 for a 30-count supply
Boxed warning: Boxed warning

How tretinoin is dosed

From the FDA label for Tretinoin (application ANDA218245). Other tretinoin products — different forms, different strengths — are dosed differently. Follow the label for the one you were prescribed.

Tretinoin gel should be applied once a day, before retiring, to the skin where acne lesions appear, using enough to cover the entire affected area lightly. Excessive application results in “pilling” of the gel, which minimizes the likelihood of overapplication by the patient. Application may cause a transitory feeling of warmth or slight stinging. In cases where it has been necessary to temporarily discontinue therapy or to reduce the frequency of application, therapy may be resumed or frequency of application increased when the patients become able to tolerate the treatment. Alterations of vehicle, drug concentration, or dose frequency should be closely monitored by careful observation of the clinical therapeutic response and skin tolerance. During the early weeks of therapy, an apparent exacerbation of inflammatory lesions may occur. This is due to the action of the medication on deep, previously unseen lesions and should not be considered a reason to discontinue therapy. Therapeutic results should be noticed after 2 to 3 weeks but more than 6 weeks of therapy may be required before definite beneficial effects are seen. Once the acne lesions have responded satisfactorily, it may be possible to maintain the improvement with less frequent applications, or other dosage forms. Patients treated with tretinoin gel acne treatment may use cosmetics, but the area to be treated should…

Tretinoin side effects

The skin of certain sensitive individuals may become excessively red, edematous, blistered, or crusted. If these effects occur, the medication should either be discontinued until the integrity of the skin is restored, or the medication should be adjusted to a level the patient can tolerate. True contact allergy to topical tretinoin is rarely encountered. Temporary hyper- or hypopigmentation has been reported with repeated application of tretinoin. Some individuals have been reported to have heightened susceptibility to sunlight while under treatment with tretinoin. To date, all adverse effects of tretinoin have been reversible upon discontinuance of therapy (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION ). To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Aurobindo Pharma USA, Inc. at 1-866-850-2876 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Every tretinoin product we track (7)

Same active ingredient — different manufacturer, form, price and FDA recall record. That last one is what our independent score measures.

Tretinoin products
#	Drug	Rating	Type	Form	Generic?	Typical price
1	Retin-A	72/100	Prescription	Topical	Generic	$1	View →
2	Avita	70/100	Prescription	Topical	Generic

What tretinoin pills look like

Imprint codes, colour and shape from the FDA’s labelling data. Match the imprint on your pill — or search any imprint.

Tretinoin pill imprints
Imprint	Strength	Colour	Shape	Maker
R135	10 mg	blue	oval	—
R136	20 mg	pink	oval	—
RI	30 mg	red	oval	—
R137	40 mg	green	oval	—
570	10 mg	yellow	oval	—
571	20 mg	pink

Combination products containing tretinoin

A combination is a different drug — different dosing, different warnings. It is listed here so you can find it, not so you can substitute it.

Tretinoin recalls

From the FDA Enforcement database. A recall covers specific lots — not the drug as a whole.

Frequently asked questions

What is tretinoin?: Tretinoin gel, USP, containing tretinoin USP, is used for the topical treatment of acne vulgaris. Tretinoin gel, USP contains tretinoin USP (retinoic acid, vitamin A acid) 0.25 mg (0.025%) by weight, in a gel vehicle of alcohol (90.5% w/w), butylated hydroxytoluene and hydroxypropyl cellulose. Chemically, tretinoin is all - trans -retinoic acid and has the following structure: Chemical Structure
What kind of drug is tretinoin?: The FDA classifies tretinoin as a retinoid. Retinoids are vitamin A derivatives that enter skin cells and switch on retinoic acid receptors in the nucleus, which changes how genes are read. This normalizes how skin cells grow and shed, unclogs pores, calms inflammation, and over time boosts collagen production. If you are checking whether it is safe to combine with something else, the class is what matters — two drugs from the same class usually should not be stacked.
Can you take tretinoin with other medicines?: It depends on the medicine. We check it against the FDA labels rather than guessing: our interaction checker searches each drug's own label for the other and quotes what it says, naming the section it came from. Run tretinoin against whatever else you take — and remember that a label not naming a drug is not the same as that combination being safe.
What brand names is tretinoin sold under?: We track 7 tretinoin-containing products in the U.S.: Retin-A, Avita, Tretinoin, Atralin, Renova, Retin-A-Micro and Vesanoid. They are the same active ingredient; they differ in form, manufacturer, price and FDA recall record.
What forms does tretinoin come in?: Across the brands we track, tretinoin is currently marketed as topical and capsule, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory. Each form is dosed differently — follow the label for the exact product you were prescribed.
Is there a generic tretinoin?

Sources: FDA openFDA drug label, National Drug Code Directory, and Enforcement (recall) database. This page reproduces public FDA data and is not medical advice. Dosing is set by your prescriber.