Health Library Retinoid (Tretinoin) Cream for WartsFrom Healthwise

Tretinoin is derived from vitamin A, one of a class of substances called retinoids. Retinoid cream disrupts the wart's skin cell growth. Follow your health professional's instructions for applying it at home.

Retinoids are commonly used to treat acne and aging skin.

In one small study (two groups of 25 subjects), 85% of the children treated with tretinoin cream were successfully cleared of warts, compared with only 32% of those treated with a placebo.¹

Oral use of retinoid medication is linked with serious birth defects. Tretinoin cream is therefore not recommended for pregnant women.

When applied to the skin, tretinoin cream can cause:

• Dry, irritated skin.
• Changes in skin color.
• Sunlight sensitivity (requiring sunscreen use or covering of treated skin).
• Red, swollen, crusted, or blistered skin.

Overuse of tretinoin cream can increase skin irritation without improving treatment results.

See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)

Tretinoin safety data for children and breast-feeding women is not well established.

Tretinoin treatment of women who are or could be pregnant is not recommended.

Do not use tretinoin cream in combination with another topical treatment, such as salicylic acid, as significant skin irritation can result.

Complete the new medication information form (PDF)(What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.

Citations

1. Sterling JC, et al. (2001). Guidelines for the management of cutaneous warts. British Journal of Dermatology, 144(1): 4–11.

Author:	Sabra L. Katz-Wise Ralph Poore	Last Updated: October 20, 2006
Medical Review:	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Randall D. Burr, MD - Dermatology
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