Side effects:
Important things to remember about the side effects of tretinoin:

Most people do not experience all of the side effects listed.
Side effects are often predictable in terms of their onset and duration.
Side effects are almost always reversible and will go away after treatment is complete.
There are many options to help minimize or prevent side effects.
There is no relationship between the presence or severity of side effects and the effectiveness of the medication.
The following side effects are common (occurring in greater than 30%) for patients taking tretinoin:

Typical retinoid toxicity: (symptoms that are similar to those found in patients taking high doses of vitamin A) Headache, fever, dry skin, dry mucous membranes (mouth, nose), bone pain, nausea and vomiting, rash, mouth sores, itching, sweating, eyesight changes.
Flu-like symptoms: malaise, chills
Bleeding problems
Infections
Swelling of feet or ankles
Pain (bone and joint pain, chest discomfort)
Abdominal pain
The following are less common side effects (occurring in 10-29%) for patients receiving tretinoin:

Weight increase
Heart rate irregularities (arrhythmias – see heart problems)
Flushing
Poor appetite
Weight loss
Earache or feeling of fullness in the ears
Diarrhea
Dizziness
Constipation
Numbness and tingling in hands and feet
Anxiety
Heartburn
Low blood pressure
Insomnia
Depression
High blood pressure
Confusion
A very serious side effect that is preventable with proper monitoring and immediate treatment is APL differentiation syndrome. This syndrome is a reaction between the drug and the leukemia. This syndrome produces fever, difficulty breathing, weight gain, lung and heart problems. It is generally treated with high-dose steroids. In most cases, treatment with tretinoin will continue. Be sure to let your health care professional know if you experience fever of 100.5F or 38C, difficulty breathing, or sudden weight gain. The syndrome usually occurs during the first month of treatment, with some cases reported following the first dose.

Side effects:
Important things to remember about the side effects of tretinoin:

Most people do not experience all of the side effects listed.
Side effects are often predictable in terms of their onset and duration.
Side effects are almost always reversible and will go away after treatment is complete.
There are many options to help minimize or prevent side effects.
There is no relationship between the presence or severity of side effects and the effectiveness of the medication.
The following side effects are common (occurring in greater than 30%) for patients taking tretinoin:

Typical retinoid toxicity: (symptoms that are similar to those found in patients taking high doses of vitamin A) Headache, fever, dry skin, dry mucous membranes (mouth, nose), bone pain, nausea and vomiting, rash, mouth sores, itching, sweating, eyesight changes.
Flu-like symptoms: malaise, chills
Bleeding problems
Infections
Swelling of feet or ankles
Pain (bone and joint pain, chest discomfort)
Abdominal pain
The following are less common side effects (occurring in 10-29%) for patients receiving tretinoin:

Weight increase
Heart rate irregularities (arrhythmias – see heart problems)
Flushing
Poor appetite
Weight loss
Earache or feeling of fullness in the ears
Diarrhea
Dizziness
Constipation
Numbness and tingling in hands and feet
Anxiety
Heartburn
Low blood pressure
Insomnia
Depression
High blood pressure
Confusion
A very serious side effect that is preventable with proper monitoring and immediate treatment is APL differentiation syndrome. This syndrome is a reaction between the drug and the leukemia. This syndrome produces fever, difficulty breathing, weight gain, lung and heart problems. It is generally treated with high-dose steroids. In most cases, treatment with tretinoin will continue. Be sure to let your health care professional know if you experience fever of 100.5F or 38C, difficulty breathing, or sudden weight gain. The syndrome usually occurs during the first month of treatment, with some cases reported following the first dose.