What is the most important information I should know about Renova?

• Avoid exposure to sunlight or artificial UV rays (sunlamps or tanning beds). Renova can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and sunburn may result. Use a sunscreen (minimum SPF 15) and wear protective clothing if you must be out in the sun.
• Avoid getting this medication in your eyes, mouth, and nose, or on your lips. If it does get into any of these areas, wash with water. Do not use Renova on sunburned, windburned, dry, chapped, irritated, or broken skin. Also avoid using this medication in wounds or on areas of eczema. Wait until these conditions have healed before using Renova.
• Use this medication for as many days as it has been prescribed for you even if you think it is not working. It may take several weeks or months of Renova use before you notice improvement in your skin. If you are using Renova to treat acne, your condition may get slightly worse for a short time when you first start using the medication. Call your doctor if skin irritation becomes severe or if your acne does not improve within 8 to 12 weeks.

What is Renova?

• Renova is a topical (applied to the skin) form of vitamin A that helps the skin renew itself.
• The Retin-A and Avita brands of Renova are used to treat acne. The Renova brand of Renova is used to reduce the appearance of fine wrinkles and mottled skin discoloration, and to make rough facial skin feel smoother.
• Renova may also be used for purposes other than those listed here.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using Renova?

• FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
• Renova passes into breast milk. Do not use Renova without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I use Renova?

• Use Renova exactly as your doctor has prescribed it for you. Using more medicine or applying it more often than prescribed will not make it work any faster, and may increase side effects. Do not use this medication for longer than your doctor has prescribed.
• Wash your hands before and after applying Renova. Before applying, clean and dry the skin area to be treated.
• Applying Renova to wet skin may cause skin irritation. If you use Renova, wait at least 20 minutes after washing your face before applying a thin layer of the medication.
• Do not wash the treated area for at least 1 hour after applying Renova. Avoid the use of other skin products on the treated area for at least 1 hour following application of Renova.
• Applying an excessive amount of Renova gel may result in “pilling” of the medication. If this occurs, use a thinner layer of gel with the next application.
• Renova should be used as part of a complete skin care program that includes avoiding sunlight and using an effective sunscreen and protective clothing.
• Use this medication for as many days as it has been prescribed for you even if you think it is not working. It may take several weeks or months of Renova use before you notice improvement in your skin. If you are using Renova to treat acne, your condition may get slightly worse for a short time when you first start using the medication. Call your doctor if skin irritation becomes severe or if your acne does not improve within 8 to 12 weeks.
• Store Renova at room temperature away from moisture and heat. The gel formulations of Retin-A are flammable, keep them away from open flame.

What happens if I miss a dose?

• Use the medication as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and wait until your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not apply extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

• Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Renova is not expected to cause overdose symptoms.

What should I avoid while using Renova?

• Avoid exposure to sunlight or artificial UV rays (sunlamps or tanning beds). Renova can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and sunburn may result. Use a sunscreen (minimum SPF 15) and wear protective clothing if you must be out in the sun.
• Avoid getting this medication in your eyes, mouth, and nose, or on your lips. If it does get into any of these areas, wash with water. Do not use Renova on skin that is sunburned, windburned, dry, chapped, or irritated. Also avoid using this medication in wounds or on areas of eczema. Wait until these conditions have healed before using Renova.
• Avoid using skin products that can cause irritation, such harsh soaps, shampoos, or skin cleansers, hair coloring or permanent chemicals, hair removers or waxes, or skin products with alcohol, spices, astringents, or lime. Do not use other medication skin products unless your doctor has told you to.

What are the possible side effects of Renova?

• Stop using this medication and get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Other, less serious side effects are more likely to occur. Continue to use the medication and talk to your doctor if you have any of these side effects: burning, warmth, stinging, tingling, itching, redness, swelling, dryness, peeling, irritation, or discolored skin.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect Renova?

• Do not use skin products that contain benzoyl peroxide, sulfur, resorcinol, or salicylic acid unless otherwise directed by your doctor. These products can cause severe skin irritation if used with Renova.
• Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you use any of the following medicines, which can make your skin more sensitive to natural and artifical sunlight:
  • a diuretic (water pill) such as hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, HydroDiuril), chlorothiazide (Diuril), chlorthalidone (Hygroton, Thalitone), and others;
  • tetracycline (Sumycin, Panmycin, Robitet), minocycline (Minocin), doxycycline (Doryx, Vibramycin), demeclocycline (Declomycin), and others;
  • an antibiotic such as lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), sparfloxacin (Zagam), ciprofloxacin (Cipro), ofloxacin (Floxin), and others;
  • a sulfa drug such as Bactrim, Septra, Cotrim, and others; or
  • chlorpromazine (Thorazine), prochlorperazine (Compazine), fluphenazine (Permitil, Prolixin), promethazine (Phenergan, Promethegan), perphenazine (Trilafon), and others.
• There may be other drugs not listed that can affect Renova. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.