The cream works by peeling off dead skin, unclogging pores (tiny openings on the sin), and reducing inflammation. It also stops new acne from forming.
Aklief is available as a topical cream that you apply directly to the skin.
What Is Aklief Used For?
Aklief is used to treat pimples (acne vulgaris) in people 9 years of age and older. It also prevents clogged pores and prevents the development of new acne.
Brand Name(s): Aklief
Drug Availability: Prescription
Administration Route: Topical
Therapeutic Classification: Antiacne
Available Generically: No
Controlled Substance: N/A
Active Ingredient: Trifarotene
Dosage Form(s): Cream
This medication is a topical cream that should only be used on the skin; it is not meant for internal use. Keep it away from the mouth, eyes, and vagina.
How to Use Aklief
Before applying Aklief to your skin:
Cleanse and dry the skin. Wash your hands before and after use. However, if applying to your hands, do not wash your hand after using it. Press down on the pump to dispense cream. One pump may cover areas of the face while two pumps may cover larger surfaces like the chest or shoulders. Follow your healthcare provider’s directions. Apply a thin layer to the affected area on the skin once daily in the evening. Rub in gently into your skin.
You may apply the medication to your forehead, chin, back, shoulders, or chest.
While using this cream, do not:
Take it by mouth or apply it to your eyes, nose, corner of your nose, or lips. Use it vaginally. Apply to damaged, sunburned, cut, broken, or scraped skin. Apply to eczema. Wax the affected area. It may irritate the skin.
If you get Aklief in any of these areas, it may burn. Rinse it out well with water.
Using moisturizers as directed by your healthcare provider may reduce your chances of skin sensitivity. If your skin gets irritated, your healthcare provider may tell you to reduce how often you apply it or stop use altogether if your reaction is severe.
Additionally, do not use coverings (bandages or dressing) unless directed by your healthcare provider.
Storage
Store at room temperature (77 F) away from heat. However, you may temporarily store the cream between cool and mildly hot (59 F to 86 F) temperatures. Keep Aklief out of reach of pets and children.
You can also ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider about the best ways to dispose of your medications. The FDA’s website is a potentially helpful resource for where and how to discard all unused and expired drugs. You can also find disposal boxes in your area.
What Are the Side Effects of Aklief?
This is not a complete list of side effects, and others may occur. A healthcare provider can advise you on side effects. If you experience other effects, contact your healthcare provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at fda.gov/medwatch or 1-800-FDA-1088.
Common Side Effects
Aklief may cause little or no side effects. However, skin reactions are common with this drug. Tell your healthcare provider if any of these side effects become bothersome or do not go away:
Stinging, scaling, or burning skinDry skinSkin redness
Photosensitivity is also possible, meaning the use of Aklief may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Keep this in mind when spending time outside and take steps to protect your skin from the sun.
Severe Side Effects
Aklief rarely causes severe side effects. It may cause sunburn due to increased photosensitivity or skin irritation. Skin irritations worsen during the first four weeks of drug use but decrease with continuous use.
Dosage: How Much of Aklief Should I Take?
Missed Dose
Apply the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is too close to your next dose, skip the missed dose. Go back to your regular dosing frequency. Do not apply extra or double the quantity.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your healthcare provider may send a report to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting Program or by phone (800-332-1088).
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
For topical dosage form (cream): For acne: Adults and children 9 years of age and older—Apply a thin layer to the affected area(s) of the skin once a day, usually in the evening or at bedtime. Children younger than 9 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
Overdose: What Happens If I Use Too Much Aklief?
Applying too much Aklief on your intact skin is rarely harmful. Still, wash off any excess cream on your skin with water. Trifarotene may cause harm if swallowed, so keep the cream out of reach of children and pets.
Precautions
What Other Medications Interact With Aklief?
There are no known significant interactions with Aklief.
If someone collapses or isn’t breathing after using Aklief, call 911 immediately.
Skin reactions such as dryness, redness, scaling, burning, or stinging can occur when you use this medicine. Use a moisturizer as needed to lessen these skin problems.
Avoid exposing your skin to wind, cold weather, and sunlight, even on cloudy days. Your skin will be more prone to sunburn, dryness, or irritation. Do not use a sunlamp or tanning bed. Use a sunscreen or sunblock lotion with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 on a regular basis. Wear protective clothing and hats and stay out of direct sunlight, especially between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
It is likely that your skin may become irritated with normal use of this medicine. You should not stop using trifarotene unless your skin becomes too red, dry, puffy, or otherwise irritated. If severe irritation occurs, contact your doctor.
Avoid the use of waxing as a hair removal method on the skin treated with this medicine.
Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, you should avoid skin products that can dry or irritate the skin. Some examples are:
Hair products that are irritating, such as hair removal products. Skin products that cause sensitivity to the sun, such as those containing spices or limes. Skin products containing a large amount of alcohol, such as astringents, shaving creams, or after-shave lotions. Skin products that are too drying or abrasive, such as some cosmetics, soaps, or skin cleansers.
What Medications Are Similar?
Medications similar to Aklief that are used to treat acne include:
Retin-A (tretinoin) Tazorac (tazarotene) Differin (adapalene) Epiduo (adapalene and benzoyl peroxide) Isotretinoin Duobrii (halobetasol and tazarotene) Tri-Luma (fluocinolone, hydroquinone, and tretinoin) Ziana (clindamycin and tretinoin)
Depending on acne severity, treatment options may range from over-the-counter, like Differin, to prescription drug choices, like Ziana. In severe cases, healthcare providers may order isotretinoin, a powerful acne drug. Unlike Aklief, isotretinoin is a pill. Its use is restricted because it can be harmful to a developing fetus if used during pregnancy. All people on isotretinoin must be enrolled in a program known as iPledge.
This is a list of drugs also prescribed for acne. It is NOT a list of drugs recommended to take with Aklief. You should not take these drugs together. Talk to your pharmacist or healthcare provider if you have questions
How Can I Stay Healthy While Taking Aklief?
Many people deal with acne, some worse than others. Acne can affect your confidence and self-esteem. It can be difficult to manage and may leave scars on your face. Acne medications like Aklief help to unclog pores and stop new pimples from forming.
Aklief can also make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, so take care to protect your skin when spending time outdoors or near any source of ultraviolet rays.
Although generally safe, Aklief can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and other sources of ultraviolet rays. While using the cream, remember to:
Use sunscreen with SPF 15 or more daily Wear clothes that protect you from the sunlight Avoid tanning beds and sunlamps
If you find that your acne symptoms aren’t improving, talk to your healthcare provider to see if other options might work better for you.
