Altreno

Medically Reviewed by Dr. Harshi Dhingra, M.D.

Last Reviewed: Feb 17, 2025

Warnings


Altreno Risks, Warnings, and Complications


Altreno (tretinoin lotion formulation) can cause or worsen health problems in some people. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other treatments for acne if you are at an increased risk of adverse effects from this drug.

  • SKIN IRRITATION: Use of Altreno (tretinoin) topical treatment can cause skin irritation (redness, dryness, and flaking). A moisturizer can help to reduce these side effects. If you have application site tolerability reactions (severe skin irritation in the treated areas), you may need to reduce the frequency of Altreno application or stop using this medicine. Do not apply Altreno to sunburned skin or skin with eczema. 

  • UV LIGHT EXPOSURE: While using Altreno, you should minimize exposure to ultraviolet light (natural sunlight as well as sunlamps and tanning beds). Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen with at least sun protection factor (SPF) 30 on treated areas to protect your skin when exposure to UV rays is unavoidable.

  • FISH ALLERGIES: Altreno contains soluble fish proteins. This acne treatment should therefore be used with caution in people with a known allergy to fish. Call your doctor if you develop hives or itching after using Altreno.


Precautions Before Starting Altreno

Tell your doctor if you are allergic to Altreno (tretinoin), any of the active or inactive ingredients in Altreno lotion, other retinoids, or any other drugs. Your pharmacy can give you a list of ingredients. 

Give your doctor and pharmacist a complete list of all your medications, including prescription medications, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and dietary and herbal supplements. This can help avoid possible interactions between your medications.

Give your doctor a complete medical history. Altreno may not be safe for people with eczema, actinic keratoses, skin cancers, other skin conditions, or a known sensitivity to Altreno ingredients.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, might be pregnant, are planning to get pregnant soon, or are breastfeeding. We don’t know if Altreno can harm the unborn baby or cause major birth defects, similar to other treatments for severe acne. We also don’t know if there is sufficient systemic absorption to produce detectable concentrations of the drug in human milk.

Precautions During Use of Altreno

Keep all your medical and lab appointments while using Altreno lotion.

Tell our doctor if you become pregnant while using Altreno (tretinoin).

Avoid sun exposure as much as possible while using Altreno. Wear sunscreen and protective clothing when sun exposure is unavoidable. Avoid exposure to extreme temperatures and wind as this can increase the irritation caused by Altreno (tretinoin).

Altreno Drug Interactions

The use of Altreno lotion with certain other drugs can affect how well it works. Interactions between medications can increase the risk of severe side effects.

Give your doctor and pharmacist a complete list of your medications, including prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, dietary supplements, and herbal supplements. Also, tell your healthcare professional if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use recreational drugs because some of these substances can cause serious health complications when used with prescription medications.