Finding Retin-A in Japan [posted 10/20/98]
Question: I reside in Japan, and I would like to know if it is possible to purchase Retin-A products from the U.S. I am willing to pay the shipping charges and other required charges, do you know of any place where I could contact to purchase the products? I have checked out about the product from the internet, and I am very interested in trying it.

Answer: I would ask the company, Ortho 800-426-7762.

Generic Drug for Retin-A [posted 7/23/98]
Question: I have an HMO and would like to know if there is a generic drug for Retin-A. If so, would it be just as comparable?

Answer: Retin-A, (tretinoin) is made by ortho pharmaceutical. Generics are made by several companies including Avita (made by Penederm), Renova and Retin-A Cream (made by Ortho Dermatological), and Vesanoid Capsules (Roche). They seem clinically identical in my patients.

Retin
Question: When first starting use of retin (cream on the face), how many weeks should you use it every day? I realize that you have to continually use it after your initial use of the first six weeks. How often should it be used after that?

Answer: The current recommendations are every day. In reality, most patients take it every other or 2/3 days. Watch your face in the affected areas as you decrease the dose and see what it is telling you.

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