Go PLR Articles Directory British Virgin Islands: mequinol and tretinoin topical

Generic Name: mequinol and tretinoin topical (MEK win ol and TRET i noin)

Brand Names: Solage

What is mequinol and tretinoin topical?

Mequinol affects chemicals in the skin that create pigmentation or darkening. Tretinoin is a topical form of vitamin A that helps the skin renew itself.

Mequinol and tretinoin topical (applied to the skin) is used to treat age spots, liver spots, and sun spots, also called solar lentigines (len-TYE-ge-neez).

Mequinol and tretinoin topical may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about mequinol and tretinoin topical?

This medication can cause birth defects. Do not use if you are pregnant. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. Avoid getting this medication in your eyes, mouth, or along the creases of your nose. If it does get into these areas, wash with water. Do not use mequinol and tretinoin 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 mequinol and tretinoin. You must avoid exposure to sunlight or artificial UV rays (sunlamps or tanning beds). Mequinol and tretinoin topical 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.

If you get a sunburn, you may need to wait until it heals before you can keep using mequinol and tretinoin.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using mequinol and tretinoin topical?

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to mequinol or tretinoin, or if you are pregnant.

Before using mequinol and tretinoin, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

eczema;

sunburned or irritated skin;

if you sunburn easily;

if your job requires you to work in the sun; or

if you or anyone in your family has a history of vitiligo (white patches of skin).

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use mequinol and tretinoin, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

FDA pregnancy category X. This medication can cause birth defects. Do not use mequinol and tretinoin if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment. Use effective birth control while you are using this medication. It is not known whether mequinol and tretinoin topical passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I use mequinol and tretinoin topical?

Use this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Applying extra medicine or using it for longer than prescribed will not lead to faster or better results. Too much of this medicine can cause severe skin irritation, redness, peeling, discomfort, or bleaching.

Apply mequinol and tretinoin using the applicator tip of the bottle. Apply the medication only to the spots to be treated and avoid getting it on normal skin around the spot. Do not wash the treated area for at least 6 hours after applying this medication.

Mequinol and tretinoin is usually applied twice daily, at least 8 hours apart. Follow your doctor's instructions.

After applying this medication, wait at least 30 minutes before applying makeup or other cosmetics.

Store the medication at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Keep the bottle inside the carton when not in use. Do not expose the medicine to open flame or high heat. Mequinol and tretinoin solution is flammable.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Skip the missed dose and wait until it is time for your next dose to apply the medicine. Do not use 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.

Mequinol and tretinoin applied to the skin is not expected to cause overdose symptoms.

What should I avoid while using mequinol and tretinoin topical?

You must avoid exposure to sunlight or artificial UV rays (sunlamps or tanning beds). Mequinol and tretinoin topical 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.

If you get a sunburn, you may need to wait until it heals before you can use mequinol and tretinoin.

Mequinol and tretinoin topical is for use only on the skin. Avoid getting this medication in your eyes, mouth, or along the creases of your nose. If it does get into these areas, wash with water. Do not use mequinol and tretinoin 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 mequinol and tretinoin.

Your skin may be more sensitive to weather extremes such as cold and wind. Protect your skin with clothing.

Avoid using skin products that can cause irritation, such as 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 medicated skin products unless your doctor has told you to.

Mequinol and tretinoin topical side effects

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.

Mequinol and tretinoin can cause some stinging, burning, warmth, tingling, itching, redness, swelling, dryness, peeling, or other skin irritation. Stop using the medication and call your doctor if any of these side effects become severe. You may need to use less of the medication or apply it less often.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect mequinol and tretinoin topical?

Taking certain medications can worsen your risk of severe sunburn if you are also applying mequinol and tretinoin topical. Before applying this medication, Tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs:

a sulfa drug such as Bactrim, Cotrim, Septra, Gantrisin, and others;

a diuretic (water pill) such as chlorothiazide (Diuril), hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, HydroDiuril, Hyzaar, Lopressor, Vasoretic, Zestoretic), chlorthalidone (Hygroton, Thalitone), indapamide (Lozol), metolazone (Mykrox, Zaroxolyn), and others;

a tetracycline antibiotic such as doxycycline (Adoxa, Doryx, Oracea, Vibramycin), minocycline (Dynacin, Minocin, Solodyn, Vectrin), tetracycline (Brodspec, Panmycin, Sumycin, Tetracap), and others;

a fluoroquinolone antibiotics such as enoxacin (Penetrex), lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), ciprofloxacin (Cipro), norfloxacin (Noroxin), or ofloxacin (Floxin), and others; or

a phenothiazine such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Prolixin), mesoridazine (Serentil), prochlorperazine (Compazine), thioridazine (Mellaril), or trifluperazine (Stelazine).

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with mequinol and tretinoin topical. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Compare mequinol and tretinoin topical with other medications

Dermatological Disorders

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about mequinol and tretinoin topical.

See also: mequinol and tretinoin side effects (in more detail)

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Sunday 23 September 2012

mequinol and tretinoin topical