Prescription
Prescription RequiredCompoundedTriamcinolone | Hydroquinone | Tretinoin Cream
A compounded topical cream that contains triamcinolone, hydroquinone, and tretinoin. This combination is used under the direction of a licensed healthcare provider for certain skin conditions involving dark spots, uneven tone, and irritation. Because this is a compounded medication, it should be used exactly as prescribed and only for the condition for which it was ordered.
Requires a valid prescription from your provider. Not sure if it's right for you? Ask a pharmacist.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Compounded products are not FDA-approved and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Individual results may vary. This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice — always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment.
Clinical information
Medication information for patients and providers.
Use as directed by your healthcare provider. Apply a thin layer only to the affected skin, usually on clean, dry skin. Wash your hands before and after use unless your hands are being treated. Avoid getting it in your eyes, mouth, nose, or on broken skin. If you miss an application, use it when you remember unless it is close to your next scheduled dose. Do not apply extra to make up for a missed dose.
This medication combines three active ingredients that work in different ways. Triamcinolone is a corticosteroid that lowers skin redness, swelling, and itching by calming the body's inflammatory response. Hydroquinone helps reduce dark spots by slowing down the skin process that makes pigment. Tretinoin is a vitamin A-related medicine that increases skin cell turnover, helps clear old pigment from the surface, and may improve skin texture over time. Some people notice less irritation and redness within days because of the steroid, but fading of dark spots usually takes several weeks. Tretinoin-related skin changes often become more noticeable after 6 to 12 weeks of regular use. Benefits last only while the treatment plan is followed, and dark spots may return with sun exposure or if treatment is stopped.
Do not use if you are allergic to triamcinolone, hydroquinone, tretinoin, vitamin A-related medicines, sulfites, or any ingredient in the compounded cream. Do not use on sunburned, cracked, infected, or open skin unless your healthcare provider specifically tells you to do so, because this may worsen irritation or increase absorption. Do not use if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding unless your healthcare provider decides the benefit outweighs the risk; tretinoin may pose risk during pregnancy, and safety of the full combination is not well established. Do not use in children unless specifically prescribed by a qualified healthcare provider. Do not use for long periods, on large body areas, under tight bandages, or near the eyes unless directed, because the steroid part can thin the skin and cause other side effects. Do not use if you have a history of unusual skin darkening after hydroquinone use, because rare long-term discoloration can occur.
This medication may interact with other skin products that cause irritation. Use caution with benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, glycolic acid, other retinoids such as adapalene or tretinoin products, alcohol-based toners, strong soaps, scrubs, and medicated acne products, because combining them can greatly increase burning, peeling, and redness. Other topical steroids may raise the risk of skin thinning if used at the same time. Medicines or products that make you more sensitive to sunlight, such as doxycycline, minocycline, isotretinoin, or some diuretics, may increase sunburn risk. If you use hair removal waxes, chemical peels, or laser treatments, ask your healthcare provider when to stop and restart this cream. There are no major food interactions, but daily sunscreen use is very important because sun exposure can reduce benefit and worsen side effects. Tell your healthcare provider and pharmacist about all prescription drugs, over-the-counter products, and supplements you use.
Very common: mild burning, stinging, dryness, redness, peeling, tightness, and increased sensitivity to sunlight, especially during the first 2 to 4 weeks. Common: itching, temporary skin irritation, mild swelling, acne-like breakouts, and lightening of treated skin. Less common: worsening irritation, rash, contact allergy, visible small blood vessels, stretch-mark-like changes, or thinning of the skin, especially with longer use because of the steroid ingredient. Rare but serious: severe allergic reaction with swelling or trouble breathing, severe blistering, skin infection, or blue-black skin darkening with long-term hydroquinone use. Stop use and contact your healthcare provider right away if you develop severe irritation, signs of infection, major color changes, or symptoms of an allergic reaction.
Store at room temperature, preferably 68-77 degrees F (20-25 degrees C), unless your pharmacist gives different instructions for this compounded product. Keep tightly closed and protect from heat, moisture, and direct light. Do not store in the bathroom, car, or near sinks where humidity and temperature change often. Keep out of reach of children and pets. Do not freeze unless the pharmacy label specifically says it is allowed. Check the beyond-use date on the pharmacy label and discard any unused cream after that date. Dispose of unused medication through a pharmacy take-back program when available, or follow your pharmacist's disposal instructions.
Frequently asked questions.
This compounded cream is often prescribed for certain skin conditions with dark patches and uneven color. It may also help calm redness and improve skin texture. Use it only for the reason your healthcare provider prescribed it.
Some irritation or redness may improve within days because of the steroid ingredient. Dark spots usually take several weeks to fade, and clearer results often take 6 to 12 weeks. Keep using it exactly as directed and follow up with your healthcare provider if you do not see improvement.
Yes. This cream can make your skin much more sensitive to sunlight, and sun exposure can make dark spots worse. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen every day, wear protective clothing, and limit direct sun when possible.
Maybe, but be careful. Harsh cleansers, scrubs, acne products, exfoliants, and alcohol-based toners can increase burning and peeling. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist before combining this cream with other active skin treatments.
Mild dryness and peeling can happen at first, but severe burning, swelling, cracking, or intense redness is not normal. Stop using the cream and contact your healthcare provider for advice. You may need a change in how often you use it or a different treatment.
You should not use this cream unless your healthcare provider specifically says it is appropriate. One ingredient, tretinoin, may not be suitable during pregnancy, and the safety of the full combination is not well established. Tell your provider right away if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding.
No. Do not apply it to open cuts, infected skin, inside the nose or mouth, or close to the eyes unless your healthcare provider told you to do so. These areas are more likely to become irritated and may absorb more medication.
A compounded medication is made by a pharmacy for a specific patient based on a prescription. It is prepared to meet your provider's directions and may not be reviewed by the FDA for safety or effectiveness in the same way as a commercial product. Use it only as prescribed and do not share it with anyone else.
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