STIEVA-A
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.
STIEVA-A contains the active ingredient tretinoin. STIEVA-A is a cream used to treat
acne.
For more information, see Section 1. Why am I using STIEVA-A? in the full CMI.
Do not use if you have ever had an allergic reaction to tretinoin 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. Do not use this medicine
if you are pregnant. This medicine should only be used by adolescents and adults,
it should not be used in children.
For more information, see Section 2. What should I know before I use STIEVA-A? in the full CMI.
Some medicines may interfere with STIEVA-A and affect how it works.
A list of these medicines is in Section 3. What if I am taking other medicines? in the full CMI.
Use STIEVA-A once daily at night all over the affected area.
Only use STIEVA-A on the skin, do not ingest or swallow it.
More instructions can be found in Section 4. How do I use STIEVA-A? in the full CMI.
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Things you should do
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Remind any doctor, dentist or pharmacist you visit that you are using STIEVA-A.
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Things you should not do
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Do not stop using this medicine or change the dosage without first checking with your
doctor.
Do not use this medicine if you are pregnant.
Do not use the cream on your mouth, lips, eyes or inside your nose.
Do not use this cream on skin that is irritated or damaged such as cuts, grazes, abrasions
and sunburn.
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Driving or using machines
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Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how STIEVA-A
affects you.
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Looking after your medicine
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Store this medicine below 30°C. Do not freeze STIEVA-A.
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For more information, see Section 5. What should I know while using STIEVA-A? in the full CMI.
Side effects which have been reported include redness of your skin, skin flaking,
skin pain, itching, skin irritation, skin tenderness, burning feeling on the skin
(especially when first applied), stinging and dry skin.
For more information, including what to do if you have any side effects, see Section
6. Are there any side effects? in the full CMI.
STIEVA-A
Active ingredient(s):
tretinoin
Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)
This leaflet provides important information about using STIEVA-A. 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 STIEVA-A.
Where to find information in this leaflet:
STIEVA-A contains the active ingredient tretinoin.
STIEVA-A belongs to a group of medicines called retinoids.
STIEVA-A is used to treat acne (spots).
STIEVA-A can help to:
make your skin less oily.
loosen blackheads and whiteheads so that they come out more easily.
stop new blackheads, whiteheads and spots from forming.
lower the number of red, inflamed acne spots.
Do not use STIEVA-A if:
you are allergic to tretinoin, or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this
leaflet.
Always check the ingredients to make sure you can use this medicine.
you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant or are breastfeeding.
you or anyone in your close family have had skin cancer.
you are under the age of 12 (STIEVA-A is only for use in adolescents and adults).
Check with your doctor if you:
have any other medical conditions.
are allergic to foods, dyes, preservatives or any other medicines.
have eczema, redness of the skin, broken blood vessels and tiny pimples usually on
the central area of the face (rosacea) or redness and soreness around the mouth (perioral
dermatitis).
take any medicines for any other condition.
take any other medicines for your acne.
You might need to use the two products at different times of the day (eg. One in the
morning and the other at bedtime).
cannot tolerate or have skin reactions in sunlight.
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
Tell your doctor immediately if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant.
You should not use STIEVA-A if you are pregnant.
Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed.
You must use a reliable method of contraception whilst using STIEVA-A.
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 STIEVA-A and affect how it works. This includes
medicines containing benzoyl peroxide which are also used to treat acne.
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about what medicines, vitamins
or supplements you are taking and if these affect STIEVA-A.
How to use STIEVA-A
Use STIEVA-A once daily at night time over the whole of the affected area.
Follow the instructions provided by your doctor or pharmacist and use STIEVA-A until
your doctor tells you to stop.
It can take 6 to 8 weeks before you see the full benefit of applying STIEVA-A to the
affected area.
How to apply STIEVA-A
STIEVA-A is only for application to the skin. Do not swallow.
1. Wash your hands.
2. Completely remove any makeup if you are wearing it.
3. Wash the affected area with a mild soap and warm water and gently dry.
4. Put a thin film of cream on the affected skin using your fingers to smooth it in.
5. Apply to all areas of your skin where there is acne not just to the individual spots.
Take care not to apply too much STIEVA-A, especially where it could run into your
eyes, the angles of your nose, any skin folds or other areas of the skin that do not
require treatment.
Applying too much STIEVA-A or applying it too frequently will not help your acne clear
up faster and it may cause redness, peeling and discomfort.
If this happens, you may need to use a non-pore-clogging moisturiser (non-comedogenic),
use STIEVA-A less often or stop using it for a few days and then start again.
6. Wash your hands after using STIEVA-A.
If you forget to use STIEVA-A
STIEVA-A should be used regularly at the same time each day.
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 STIEVA-A
If you think that you have used too much STIEVA-A, you may need urgent medical attention.
You should immediately:
phone the Poisons Information Centre
(by calling 13 11 26), or
(by calling 13 11 26), 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.
The ingredients of STIEVA-A are not expected to be harmful if swallowed in the small
amounts applied to the face. If you do accidentally get STIEVA-A in your mouth, rinse
at once with plenty of water. Seek medical advice if you swallow a large amount.
Tell your doctor straight away if you:
have not used STIEVA-A as directed
think you may be or are pregnant and stop using STIEVA-A immediately
are breastfeeding
Remind any doctor, dentist or pharmacist you visit that you are using STIEVA-A.
Things you should not do
Do not stop using this medicine or change how much you use without first checking
with your doctor.
Do not use the cream on your mouth, lips, eyes or inside your nose.
Do not give this medicine to anyone else even if their symptoms seem similar to yours.
Do not use STIEVA-A to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.
Do not use this cream on skin that is irritated or damaged such as cuts, grazes, abrasions
and sunburn.
Do not use cream on skin that has had cosmetic treatment such as depilation, chemical
hair treatment, chemical peel, dermabrasion or laser resurfacing.
Do not use too much STIEVA-A on sensitive skin such as the neck or allow it to accumulate
in the folds of your skin including between the nose and lips.
Avoid skin products that contain alcohol, spices or lime.
These products may irritate your skin more if used together with STIEVA-A.
Things to be careful of
STIEVA-A can cause increased sensitivity to sunlight.
Avoid using sunlamps and spending a long time in the sun.
Use sunscreen and protective clothing to prevent sunburn.
Driving or using machines
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how STIEVA-A
affects you.
Looking after your medicine
Keep the cream in the tube until it is time to use it.
Do not put STIEVA-A in the freezer.
Follow the instructions on the carton on how to take care of your medicine properly.
Store it in a cool dry place (below 30oC) 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.
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
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Less serious side effects
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What to do
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Skin related
redness of your skin
skin flaking
skin pain
itching
skin irritation
skin tenderness
burning feeling on the skin, especially when first applied
stinging
dry skin
These effects are normal. If they cause you a problem, try using STIEVA-A less often
or stop using it for a few days and then start it again.
sensitivity to sunlight
darkening of fair skin
lightening of dark skin
rash at the site of application
swelling at the site of application
skin thinning
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Speak to your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects and they worry
you.
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Serious side effects
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Serious side effects
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What to do
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Allergic reaction
signs include wheezing, difficulty in breathing, swelling of the lips, mouth or tongue,
hay fever, a lumpy rash (hives) on the skin, fainting
Skin related
severe burning, peeling or itching of your skin
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Call your doctor straight away, or go straight to the Emergency Department at your
nearest hospital if you notice any of these serious side effects.
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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 effects 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.
This medicine is only available with a doctor's prescription.
What STIEVA-A 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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butylated hydroxyanisole
butylated hydroxytoluene
disodium edetate
isopropyl palmitate
methyl hydroxybenzoate
PEG-40 stearate
propyl hydroxybenzoate
propylene glycol
purified water
stearic acid
stearyl alcohol
white soft paraffin
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Potential allergens
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methyl hydroxybenzoate
propyl hydroxybenzoate
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Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any of these ingredients.
