What is the total weight in grams of a standard topical tretinoin tube?

Tretinoin Tube Size

Standard tretinoin tubes are dispensed in 20g, 45g, or 60g sizes, with 45g being a common prescription quantity. 1

Available Package Sizes

The FDA-approved tretinoin gel formulations are supplied in the following sizes:

• 45 grams is a standard tube size documented in FDA labeling 1
• 20 grams and 60 grams are also common commercial package sizes based on standard pharmaceutical dispensing practices

Clinical Context for Prescribing

When prescribing tretinoin for acne vulgaris, the tube size should accommodate the treatment duration and application area:

• Application amount: A thin layer applied once nightly to the entire affected facial area 2, 3
• Treatment duration: Initial improvement typically occurs within 8-12 weeks, with maintenance therapy often continuing long-term 2
• Coverage: One 45g tube generally provides approximately 3-4 months of facial application when used appropriately 1

Important Prescribing Considerations

The specific gram amount per tube varies by manufacturer and formulation (cream vs. gel vs. microsphere), so always verify the exact package size when writing prescriptions. 1

• Tretinoin concentrations range from 0.01% to 0.1% in various vehicles (cream, gel, microsphere gel) 2
• Storage requirements specify keeping below 86°F for most formulations 1
• Cost considerations may influence which package size is most appropriate for initial trials versus maintenance therapy 2