Tri-Luma is a brand-name prescription drug used to lighten dark patches on the face, a condition called melasma. The depigmenting agent in Tri-Luma is hydroquinone, a medication commonly found in over-the-counter skin lightening products. It also contains two prescription drugs, a retinoid (tretinoin) to speed up skin shedding in the darkened area and a corticosteroid (fluocinolone) that reduces swelling. Doses are applied to the affected skin once daily about 30 minutes before bedtime.
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Tri-Luma
Hydroquinone-fluocinolone-tretinoin
Tri-Luma treats skin darkening of the face (melasma).
Depigmenting agent
Cream
On the skin
Tri-Luma lightens dark skin patches on the face (melasma). It contains a skin bleaching agent (hydroquinone), a skin shedding drug (tretinoin), and a corticosteroid (fluocinolone) to reduce swelling and irritation.
Cream
0.01% fluocinolone/4% hydroquinone/0.05% tretinoin.
For melasma: Apply a thin film of Tri-Luma cream to the affected skin areas once daily 30 minutes before bedtime.
Tri-Luma
30gm of 0.01-4-0.05% tube of cream
Follow all the prescriber’s instructions.
Do not use more of this cream than prescribed. Do not use it more frequently than prescribed.
Please read the Patient Information sheet that comes with this medicine.
Do not use Tri-Luma to treat any other dark spots that are not caused by melasma.
To apply Tri-Luma cream:
Gently wash your face with a mild cleanser.
Rinse and dry your face.
Apply a thin layer to the affected skin. Also, cover the skin around the dark spot to a distance of ½ inch.
Gently rub the cream evenly into the skin.
Do not use cream on the corner of the mouth, the nose, eyes, or open wounds.
Do not cover the treated skin after applying the cream.
Store Tri-Luma cream in a refrigerator. Do not freeze. The tube should be tightly closed.
Ask the prescriber how to manage a missed dose.
This medicine should be used at night.
Do not apply two doses to make up for a missed dose.
This medicine is not right for everyone.
Do not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to fluocinolone, hydroquinone, or tretinoin.
The prescriber may need to check on the progress of this treatment. Keep all appointments.
Tell other healthcare providers who treat you that you are using Tri-Luma.
Tell the prescriber if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have:
Allergies to sulfites
Any other medical condition
This medicine may cause a blue-black discoloration of the skin. Check with the prescriber right away if you have a gradual darkening of the skin.
This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, wind, and cold weather.
Avoid sunlamps and tanning beds.
Use sunscreen with a sun protection factor of SPF 30 or higher during the day.
Wear protective clothing, such as a hat, when you are outdoors.
Avoid cleansers or cosmetics that may dry or irritate your skin. Use a moisturizer as needed.
This medication may cause serious side effects if it’s absorbed into the bloodstream. These include:
Adrenal gland dysfunction
Cushing’s syndrome (due to high corticosteroid levels)
High blood sugar
Tri-Luma is not intended for long-term or continuous use.
Tri-Luma may not be effective in people with brown or dark skin.
To avoid possible drug interactions, tell the prescriber about all the medications you take or plan to take, particularly:
Other corticosteroids
Hormonal birth control
Photosensitizing drugs (such as for psoriasis)
Other drugs that cause photosensitivity such as quinolone antibiotics (like ciprofloxacin)
Do not take birth control pills while using Tri-Luma. They can worsen melasma.
Do not put cosmetics or skin care products on the treated skin.
Avoid using medicated, irritating, or drying soaps or cleansers on the area being treated.
Serious side effects
Immediately contact a doctor or get medical attention if you notice any signs or symptoms of a possible serious side effect including:
Bruising more easily than usual
Round, puffy face
Gaining weight around your neck, upper back, breast, face, or waist
Darkening or discoloration of the skin, especially if it turns blue or black
Redness or burning at the application site that you suspect is an allergic reaction
Allergic reaction: Hives, itching, trouble breathing, wheezing, dizziness, fainting, low blood pressure, racing heart rate
Less serious side effects
Application site reactions such as redness, itching, burning, or irritation
Skin peeling
Skin dryness
Acne
Spider veins
Numbness or tingling
Tri-Luma drug summary, Prescriber’s Digital Reference (PDR)
Tri-Luma fluocinolone acetonide, hydroquinone, and tretinoin cream prescribing information, DailyMed (NIH National Library of Medicine)
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