trifarotene (Rx)

Brand and Other Names:Aklief

Dosing & Uses

AdultPediatric

Dosage Forms & Strengths

topical cream

  • 0.005%

Acne Vulgaris

Retinoid indicated for topical treatment of acne vulgaris

Apply a thin layer of cream sparingly to affected areas qDay, in the evening, on clean, dry skin

Dosage Forms & Strengths

topical cream

  • 0.005%

Acne Vulgaris

Retinoid indicated for topical treatment of acne vulgaris in patients aged ≥9 years

<9 year: Safety and efficacy not established

≥9 years: Apply thin layer of cream sparingly to affected areas qDay, in the evening, on clean, dry skin

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Interactions

Interaction Checker

and trifarotene

No Results

     activity indicator 
    No Interactions Found
    Interactions Found

    Contraindicated

      Serious - Use Alternative

        Significant - Monitor Closely

          Minor

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             activity indicator 

            Contraindicated (0)

              Serious - Use Alternative (0)

                Monitor Closely (0)

                  Minor (0)

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                    Adverse Effects

                    >10%

                    Mild dryness, face (39%)

                    Mild scaling, face (37.5%)

                    Mild stinging/burning, face (36.5%)

                    Mild dryness, trunk (32.9%)

                    Mild erythema, face (30.6%)

                    Moderate dryness, face (29.7%)

                    Mild scaling, trunk (29.7%)

                    Moderate erythema, face (28.4%)

                    Moderate scaling, face (27.1%)

                    Mild erythema, trunk (26.5%)

                    Mild stinging/burning, trunk (26.1%)

                    Moderate dryness, trunk (16.1%)

                    Moderate erythema, trunk (18.7%)

                    Moderate scaling, trunk (13.7%)

                    Moderate stinging/burning, face (20.6%)

                    Moderate stinging/burning, trunk (10.9%)

                    1-10%

                    Application site irritation (4.2-7.5%)

                    Severe erythema, face (6.2%)

                    Severe stinging/burning, face (5.9%)

                    Sunburn (2.6-5.5%)

                    Severe erythema, trunk (5.2%)

                    Severe scaling, face (4.9%)

                    Severe dryness, face (4.8%)

                    Severe scaling, trunk (4.3%)

                    Application site pruritus (2.4-4.6%)

                    Severe dryness, trunk (1.8%)

                    Severe scaling, trunk (1.7%)

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                    Warnings

                    Contraindications

                    None

                    Cautions

                    Minimize unprotected exposure to ultraviolet rays (including sunlight and sunlamps) during treatment; exercise caution in patients who normally experience high levels of sun exposure and those with inherent sensitivity to sun; use sunscreen products and protective clothing over treated areas when exposure cannot be avoided

                    Skin irritation

                    • May experience erythema, scaling, dryness, and stinging/burning
                    • Maximum severity of these reactions typically occurred within the first 4 weeks of treatment, and severity decreased with continued use of the medication
                    • Advise to use a moisturizer, reduce the frequency of application, or suspend use temporarily
                    • If severe reactions persist, consider discontinuing treatment
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                    Pregnancy & Lactation

                    Pregnancy

                    Available data from clinical trials with use in pregnant women have not identified a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes

                    There are case reports of major birth defects similar to those seen in fetuses exposed to oral retinoids in pregnant women exposed to other topical retinoids, but these reports do not establish a pattern or association with retinoid-related embryopathy

                    Animal data

                    • In animal reproduction studies, oral doses of trifarotene administered to pregnant rats and rabbits during organogenesis that resulted in systemic exposures more than 800 times the systemic exposure at the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) of topical cream resulted in adverse fetal effects, including fetal deaths and external, visceral, and skeletal malformations

                    Lactation

                    There are no data on the presence of trifarotene in human milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects on milk production

                    Trifarotene was present in rat milk with oral administration of the drug

                    When present in animal milk, it is likely that the drug will be present in human milk; topical administration of large amounts of trifarotene may result in sufficient systemic absorption to produce detectable quantities in human milk

                    Consider the developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding, along with the mother’s clinical need and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from the drug or from the underlying maternal condition

                    Clinical considerations

                    • To minimize potential exposure to the breastfed infant via breastmilk, use on the smallest area of skin and for the shortest duration possible while breastfeeding
                    • Advise breastfeeding women not to apply directly to the nipple and areola to avoid direct infant exposure

                    Pregnancy Categories

                    A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.

                    B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.

                    C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.

                    D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.

                    X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.

                    NA: Information not available.

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                    Pharmacology

                    Mechanism of Action

                    An agonist of retinoic acid receptors (RARs), with particular activity at the gamma subtype of RAR

                    Stimulation of RAR results in modulation of target genes that are associated with various processes, including cell differentiation and mediation of inflammation

                    Exact process by which trifarotene ameliorates acne is unknown

                    Absorption

                    Peak plasma concentration (steady-state): <10 pg/mL (adults); 5-9 pg/mL (children and adolescents)

                    AUC: 70-104 pg·hr/mL (adults); 5-9 pg·hr/mL (children and adolescents)

                    Steady-state achieved in children and adolescents within 2 weeks of topical administration

                    Distribution

                    Protein bound (99.9%)

                    Metabolism

                    Primarily metabolized by CYP2C9, CYP3A4, CYP2C8, and to a lesser extent by CYP2B6

                    Elimination

                    Excretion: Feces

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                    Administration

                    Topical Administration

                    Topical use only; not for oral, ophthalmic, or intravaginal use

                    One pump actuation should be enough to cover the face (ie, forehead, cheeks, nose, and chin)

                    Two actuations of the pump should be enough to cover the upper trunk (ie, reachable upper back, shoulders, and chest)

                    May use 1 additional pump actuation for middle and lower back if acne is present

                    Use of a moisturizer is recommended as frequently as needed from the start of treatment

                    Avoid contact with the eyes, lips, paranasal creases, and mucous membranes

                    Avoid application to cuts, abrasions, or eczematous or sunburned skin

                    Avoid use of “waxing” as a depilatory method on treated skin

                    Storage

                    Store at 20-25ºC (68-77ºF) with excursions permitted to 15-30ºC (59- 86ºF)

                    Keep away from heat

                    Keep out of reach of children

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                    Images

                    No images available for this drug.
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                    Patient Handout

                    A Patient Handout is not currently available for this monograph.
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                    Formulary

                    FormularyPatient Discounts

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                    The above information is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. Individual plans may vary and formulary information changes. Contact the applicable plan provider for the most current information.

                    Tier Description
                    1 This drug is available at the lowest co-pay. Most commonly, these are generic drugs.
                    2 This drug is available at a middle level co-pay. Most commonly, these are "preferred" (on formulary) brand drugs.
                    3 This drug is available at a higher level co-pay. Most commonly, these are "non-preferred" brand drugs.
                    4 This drug is available at a higher level co-pay. Most commonly, these are "non-preferred" brand drugs or specialty prescription products.
                    5 This drug is available at a higher level co-pay. Most commonly, these are "non-preferred" brand drugs or specialty prescription products.
                    6 This drug is available at a higher level co-pay. Most commonly, these are "non-preferred" brand drugs or specialty prescription products.
                    NC NOT COVERED – Drugs that are not covered by the plan.
                    Code Definition
                    PA Prior Authorization
                    Drugs that require prior authorization. This restriction requires that specific clinical criteria be met prior to the approval of the prescription.
                    QL Quantity Limits
                    Drugs that have quantity limits associated with each prescription. This restriction typically limits the quantity of the drug that will be covered.
                    ST Step Therapy
                    Drugs that have step therapy associated with each prescription. This restriction typically requires that certain criteria be met prior to approval for the prescription.
                    OR Other Restrictions
                    Drugs that have restrictions other than prior authorization, quantity limits, and step therapy associated with each prescription.
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                    Medscape prescription drug monographs are based on FDA-approved labeling information, unless otherwise noted, combined with additional data derived from primary medical literature.