Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) summary
The
full CMI on the next page has more details. If you are worried about using this medicine,
speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
1. Why am I using Retrieve?
Retrieve contains the active ingredient tretinoin. Retrieve is used for the treatment
of dry, sun-damaged skin.
2. What should I know before I use Retrieve?
Do not use if you have ever had an allergic reaction to Retrieve or any of the ingredients
listed at the end of the CMI.
Talk to your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, take any other medicines,
or are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
Some medicines may interfere with Retrieve and affect how it works.
4. How do I use Retrieve?
The usual dose is to apply a thin layer to the affected skin area(s).
Apply once a day before going to bed.
Carefully follow the exact instructions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist.
5. What should I know while using Retrieve?
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Things you should do
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Remind any doctor, dentist or pharmacist you visit that you are using Retrieve.
Protect your skin when you are in the sun. If you are outdoors, wear protective clothing
and apply a broad-spectrum 30+ SPF sunscreen. Reapply sunscreen regularly.
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Things you should not do
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Do not apply to the eyes, around eyelids, mouth, lips, mucosa, or angles of the nose.
Do not apply other skin preparations on top of the nightly application.
Do not apply more often than or longer time than what your doctor has told you.
Do not use to treat any other complaint unless your doctor tells you to.
Do not use any skin treatments, such as skin peels or medicated dressing on the same
affected areas unless your doctor has told you to.
Do not mix with any other preparations.
Do not swallow this medicine.
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Looking after your medicine
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Store it in a cool dry place where the temperature is below 25°C, away from moisture,
heat or sunlight.
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6. Are there any side effects?
Common and less-serious side effects include redness of skin, feeling of warmth on
skin, peeling of skin, slight stinging and darkening or lightening of the treated
areas.
Serious side effects include excessive irritation, severe burning and the skin becomes
very sensitive to light.
Active ingredient:
Tretinoin 0.5 mg/g
Full Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)
This leaflet provides important information about using Retrieve. You should also speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you would like further information
or if you have any concerns or questions about using Retrieve.
Where to find information in this leaflet:
1. Why am I using Retrieve?
Retrieve contains the active ingredient Tretinoin.
Tretinoin is the acid form of Vitamin A.
Retrieve is used for the treatment of dry, sun-damaged skin.
Retrieve works by regulating the growth and regeneration of the outer layer of the
skin.
Your doctor may have prescribed Retrieve for another reason. Ask your doctor if you
have any questions why Retrieve has been prescribed for you.
2. What should I know before I use Retrieve?
Warnings
Do not use Retrieve if:
You are allergic to tretinoin, isotretinoin, vitamin A, or any of the ingredients
listed at the end of this leaflet.
Always check the ingredients to make sure you can use this medicine.
Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include:
shortness of breath
wheezing or difficulty in breathing
swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body
rash, itching or hives on the skin
The packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering
Check with your doctor if you have:
any other medical conditions including:
sunburn. Delay the use of Retrieve until the skin is fully recovered.
other forms of skin disease such as eczema. Delay use of Retrieve until the eczema
has cleared or use with caution. Retrieve can cause severe irritation on eczema.
sensitive skin.
take any medicines for any other condition.
During treatment, you may be at risk of developing certain side effects. It is important
you understand these risks and how to monitor for them. See additional information
under Section
6. Are there any side effects?
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Do not use Retrieve if you pregnant or planning a pregnancy.
Stop using Retrieve immediately if you fall pregnant and see your doctor.
Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or wish to breastfeed. It is not known whether
Retrieve passes into breastmilk.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any
medicines, vitamins or supplements that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy,
supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines may interfere with Retrieve and affect how it works.
These include:
Medicines and skin preparations used to treat acne.
Skin preparations containing peeling agents (e.g., resorcinol, sulfur, salicylic acid,
or benzoyl peroxide).
Skin preparations containing vitamin A.
Medicines which can increase sun sensitivity including some antibiotics, diuretics,
and antipsychotic medicines
Cosmetics, perfumes, or astringents (e.g., aftershave, skin toner) especially those
containing high concentration of alcohol, spices, lime, or menthol.
Abrasive powders, scrubbing agents, soaps, shampoos, or cleansers.
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about what medicines, vitamins
or supplements you are taking and if these affect Retrieve.
4. How do I use Retrieve?
How much to use
Apply a thin layer to the affected skin area(s).
Follow the instructions provided below and use Retrieve until your doctor tells you
to stop.
When to use Retrieve
Retrieve should be used once a day before going to bed.
How to use Retrieve
Carefully follow the exact instructions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist.
These may differ from the information contained in this CMI.
If you are using a new tube, unscrew the cap and check that the aluminium seal is
intact. To break the seal, reverse the cap and pierce through.
Wash the affected areas with a mild soap-free cleanser and lukewarm water. Pat dry.
Apply the cream to the affected skin. Massage in gently.
Wash hands thoroughly with water after each application.
Only use Retrieve on intact skin. Be careful to avoid contact with your eyes, mouth,
lips, angles of the nose and open wounds. Do not swallow.
The treatment program is to be started slowly. The usual dosage regimen is as follows:
First night - Apply, leave on for 5 minutes, then wash off.
Second night - Apply, leave on for 10 minutes, then wash off.
Third night - Apply, leave on for 30 minutes, then wash off.
Fourth night - Apply, leave on for one hour, then wash off.
Fifth night - Apply, leave on for one and a half hours, then wash off.
Sixth night - Apply, leave on for two hours, then wash off.
If after a two-hour application, no redness or irritation has developed on the skin
the following day, then the application may be left on overnight and washed off next
morning.
If there is redness or irritation, check with your doctor.
Your doctor will assess how your skin responds to treatment, and how well it tolerates
the medication. If excessive skin reactions occur, your doctor may adjust the application
to alternate nights or temporarily discontinue treatment.
At your next visit, your doctor will review how your skin is responding to treatment.
Your doctor will decide on the best course of treatment according to your skin condition
and response. This may change from time to time depending on your medical condition.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist on how to apply Retrieve if you are not sure.
If you forget to use Retrieve
Use Retrieve regularly at the same time each day. If you miss your dose at the usual
time, apply the medicine when you remember, and then go back to using it as you would
normally.
If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next
dose when you are meant to.
Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed.
If you use too much Retrieve
If you think that you have applied too much Retrieve, remove any excess cream.
Do not take this medicine by mouth. If you or someone else accidentally swallows some
Retrieve, you may need urgent medical attention.
You should immediately:
phone the Poisons Information Centre by calling
13 11 26 in Australia, or
contact your doctor, or
go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital.
You should do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
5. What should I know while using Retrieve?
Things you should do
Contact your doctor or pharmacist immediately if you notice any unusual symptoms (such
as a rash) during treatment.
Tell your doctor if, for any reason, you have not used your medicine exactly as directed.
Protect your skin when you are in the sun. If you are outdoors, wear protective clothing
and apply a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ or higher sunscreen. Reapply sunscreen regularly.
Call your doctor straight away if you:
Become pregnant while you are using Retrieve.
Notice any excessive skin reaction and unusual symptoms (such as a rash).
Remind any doctor, dentist or pharmacist you visit that you are using Retrieve.
Things you should not do
Do not apply to the eyes, around eyelids, mouth, lips, mucosa, or angles of the nose.
Do not apply other skin preparations on top of the nightly application of Retrieve.
Suitable sunscreens and moisturisers may be used during the day.
Do not apply more often than or longer time than what your doctor has told you.
Do not use Retrieve to treat any other complaint unless your doctor tells you to.
Do not give your medicine to anyone else, even if they have the similar symptoms to
yours.
Do not use any skin treatments, such as skin peels or medicated dressing on the same
affected areas unless your doctor has told you to.
Do not mix Retrieve with any other preparations. They may prevent Retrieve from working.
Do not swallow this medicine.
Things to be careful of:
Sunlight/Solarium - avoid exposure of the treated area to excessive sunlight or overuse
of a sunlamp because your skin may be more prone to sunburn whilst using Retrieve.
When exposed to sunlight use at least a 30+ SPF broad-spectrum sunscreen and wear
protective clothing over the treated areas.
Strong Wind/Dry Air - These may cause skin discomfort. Apply moisturiser or emollient
if this occurs. Check with your doctor or pharmacist about suitable wind protection
if you notice any unusual rash or redness.
Cosmetics - Check with your doctor or pharmacist which cosmetics or perfumed toiletries
you can use. Wash any cosmetics off any affected areas before you apply Retrieve.
Washing your face - Avoid using harsh soaps or exfoliants. Use a mild bland soap,
or any suitable soap free cleansers.
Looking after your medicine
Follow the instructions in the carton on how to take care of your medicine properly.
Store it in a cool dry place where the temperature is below 25°C, away from moisture,
heat or sunlight; for example, do not store it:
in the bathroom or near a sink, or
in the car or on window sills.
Keep it where young children cannot reach it.
Getting rid of any unwanted medicine
If you no longer need to use this medicine or it is out of date, take it to any pharmacy
for safe disposal.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date.
6. Are there any side effects?
All medicines can have side effects. If you do experience any side effects, most of
them are minor and temporary. However, some side effects may need medical attention.
See the information below and, if you need to, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you
have any further questions about side effects.
Less serious side effects
Serious side effects
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that may be making you
feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed here may occur in some people.
Reporting side effects
After you have received medical advice for any side affects you experience, you can
report side effects to the Therapeutic Goods Administration online at
www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems .
By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of
this medicine.
Always make sure you speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you decide to stop
taking any of your medicines.
7. Product details
This medicine is only available with a doctor's prescription.
What Retrieve contains
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Active ingredient
(main ingredient)
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Tretinoin
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Other ingredients
(inactive ingredients)
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cetyl alcohol
isopropyl palmitate
self-emulsifying glyceryl monostearate
sorbitan monostearate
polysorbate 60
disodium edetate
dl-alpha-tocopheryl acetate
retinol palmitate
methyl hydroxybenzoate
propyl hydroxybenzoate
diazolidinyl urea
propylene glycol
purified water
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Potential allergens
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methyl hydroxybenzoate
propyl hydroxybenzoate
diazolidinyl urea
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Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any of these ingredients.
What Retrieve looks like
Retrieve is a smooth off-white to pale yellow cream contained in an aluminium tube
with an outer carton and is available in the following pack sizes:
- 5g tube
- 50g tube
(AUST R 15553).
Who distributes Retrieve
iNova Pharmaceuticals (Australia) Pty Limited
Level 10, 12 Help Street
Chatswood NSW 2067
Tel: 1800 630 056
This leaflet was prepared in June 2023.