How to get Retin-A® cream/gel online in Canada
Retin-A Gel, Retin-A Micro Tretinoin Gel, Retin-A Micro Tretinoin Microsphere Gel
Through Felix, you can get Retin-A® prescribed by a licensed healthcare practitioner with free delivery to your door.
At a glance
- 30g tube of cream, 30g & 50g tube of gel
- Tretinoin
- View pricing
Why Felix
- Prescribed by a Canadian healthcare professional
- Support and resources along your journey
- Free and fast shipping to your door
Felix pharmacy patients only. Coverage may vary by province and plan.
Retin-A is also known as Retin-A Gel, Retin-A Micro Tretinoin Gel and Retin-A Micro Tretinoin Microsphere Gel. It comes in 30m tube of cream or 30g & 50g tube of gel. Through Felix, you can connect with a licensed Canadian healthcare provider to see if Retin-A is right for you, with medication delivered to your door if prescribed.
About Retin-A®
Retin-A is a cream or gel that includes the active ingredient tretinoin. It belongs to a family of medications called retinoids.
It’s used to help patients that are experiencing symptoms of acne (acne vulgaris).
For more resources, including a full list of the risks and benefits of Retin-A, please review the product monograph.
Retin-A belongs to a group of medicines called retinoids. Retin-A works by causing your outer skin layer to grow faster, while also becoming thinner. It’s also associated with the thickening of the epidermis – the outermost of the three layers that make up the skin.
These factors help prevent a build-up of debris in the oil glands of your skin, which can cause acne to occur.
Retin-A is primarily used for treating the symptoms of acne in patients.
This includes whiteheads, blackheads, papules, pustules, and cysts that are caused by the acne condition.
Before applying Retin-A, you should first gently wash the skin where you plan to apply the medication with a mild, non-medicated soap. Don’t wash these areas more than twice per day.
Apply your once daily dose of Retin-A after about 20-30 minutes to ensure your skin is fully dried.
Spread a pea-sized amount of the medication across the affected areas, using a gauze swag, cotton ball, or clean fingers.
Avoid the corners of your mouth, eyes, nose, and areas with mucus membranes. Don’t use more than the intended dosage, or more than once daily.
Apply a moisturizer or a moisturizer with sunscreen that will not aggravate your acne. Sunscreen should always be used during the day.
If you have any other questions about how to use Retin-A cream or gel, you should talk to your healthcare practitioner at Felix. They’ll be able to give you any guidance that you need to use your medication safely and effectively.
The most common side effects of Retin-A include:
- Redness
- Swelling or irritation at the application site
- Warmth, stinging, or burning sensations
- Blistering – Crusting, flaking, or peeling skin
- Temporary lightening or darkening of the skin
- Eye irritation
- General feeling of unwell (malaise)
- Fever
In some rare cases, severe side effects can occur from taking Retin-A prescriptions, like allergic reactions or photosensitivity.
If these occur, you should stop taking your Retin-A treatments, and talk to your healthcare practitioner at Felix. They will be able to suggest alternative medications that may work better for you.
While Retin-A is generally safe for use, there are a few people who should avoid using Retin-A, such as:
- People with sensitive skin
- People with frequent, long-stretches of sun exposure (usually due to their job duties)
- People who have an allergy or sensitivity to Retin-A’s ingredients
- People who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or who are planning to become pregnant or breastfeed
Retin-A can also make you more sensitive to sunburns, so it’s important to limit UV exposure and use sunscreen while using Retin-A treatments.
Always follow the directions listed with your online Retin-A prescription. If you have any additional questions, or if you think any of these conditions could apply to you, talk to your healthcare practitioner at Felix.
They’ll be able to give you any additional guidance you need to ensure you’re using your medications safely and effectively.
How it works
Loved by 1,500,000+ Canadians across Canada.
Simple to follow and all without having to leave the house. I like the quick responses from my nurse practitioner if I have any questions or concerns.
Patricia
Fast service. Excellent, well informed doctors who help you. Love you Felix! You have saved me time and money.
Samantha M.
The physician I was writing with went over and above . He was empathetic and also provided tips along with the prescription.
Leslie S.
I'm very happy with my current and previous experiences and interactions with Felix and the health care professionals. The service has always been quick and easy to use.
Emily
Easy access to medical professionals, much faster than through my GP, quick approval, shipment and treatment, and weekly instructions plus the ability to ask my nurse anything and receive a quick reply.
Brenda
Experience from start to almost finished in terms of getting things set up has been dreaming professional and rewarding and feeling like someone was taking care of me and my issues. Which I have to say was a nice feeling. I would recommend Felix to anyone as I think they're a very helpful service.
Steven M.
I recently moved to a smaller city in British Columbia. I had a family doctor in my last community but after moving I no longer have one. Felix Health has been a great resource. The clinicians are consistently kind, thoughtful, encouraging and clearly dedicated to making sure that my overall well-being is the focus – not just my physical self
Robert
The platform is really user friendly and my doctor has responded with compassion and informatively to all my questions, in a very timely fashion.
Anonymous
The best service!!! So happy I never have to try and get myself to the pharmacy anymore. This is the future!!!
Paige
Super convenient, and amazing customer service! The team always responds +++ fast and answers every question and concern. Very pleased with Felix!
Nicole
Frequently asked questions
Can I buy Retin-A online?
You can’t buy Retin-A online in Canada without first getting a prescription from a licensed healthcare practitioner, like the experts you’ll find at Felix.
Simply complete an online assessment with one of our practitioners, and if they think Retin-A treatments could work for you, they can offer you a prescription. Plus, Felix can deliver your medication right to your home, for free.
Can I get a Retin-A prescription online?
Yes, you can get a Retin-A prescription online. In Canada, that requires you to first meet with a licensed healthcare practitioner, like the ones at Felix.
They can check to ensure that Retin-A is the right choice for you, based on your medical history. If they believe it’s the right choice for you, they can offer you an online Retin-A prescription and have it shipped right to your home.
Do I need an appointment to get a Retin-A prescription in Canada?
There’s no reason for you to wait weeks to get an appointment with your doctor, or spend hours sitting around busy waiting rooms. Not when you have Felix in your corner.
Felix is making this process quick, seamless, and convenient for Canadians. Just complete an online assessment, and if your healthcare practitioner thinks Retin-A is right for you, they can provide a prescription.
How do I get a Retin-A prescription?
To get an online Retin-A prescription in Canada, you must first speak with a licensed healthcare practitioner. They’ll be able to offer you a prescription, if they believe it’s appropriate, based on your health and medical history.
However, you can use Felix to make the process of requesting Retin-A comfortable and convenient. Just complete an online assessment, and if your healthcare practitioner thinks Retin-A is right for you, they can write you a prescription and have it delivered directly to you.
Is Retin-A available over-the-counter?
No, Retin-A is not available over-the-counter in Canada. This means that you’ll need to speak with a licensed healthcare practitioner, in order to request online Retin-A prescriptions.
Thankfully, you can do that quickly and conveniently with Felix. Complete an online assessment, and if your practitioner believes Retin-A is a good solution for you, they can send your medication directly to your home, for free!
Is Retin-A covered by insurance?
This is a question that Felix can’t really answer, since each person’s insurance company and benefits package will look a little different. The best thing to do is ask your insurance provider whether Retin-A treatments are covered by your current plan.
The good news is that if they are covered, not only can Felix bill your insurer directly, but we’ll deliver your medication directly to your door, at no additional cost to you.
It’s important to note that insurance coverage for online medications through Felix doesn’t include the cost of your assessment.
Can I be accurately assessed remotely?
Absolutely. Our online assessments have been designed to ask all the necessary questions required for diagnosis. We’ve worked with specialists to create an assessment process that can provide sufficient information for the healthcare practitioner to determine whether or not you are eligible for a prescription and craft an appropriate treatment plan.
Does Felix replace my doctor?
No. Felix provides a faster, hassle-free way for you to get a treatment plan for certain conditions, but our service does not replace your primary care provider. For matters that extend beyond obtaining a lifestyle treatment safely and easily, we encourage you to consult your primary health practitioner in person — whether for checkups, personal health concerns, or to inform them about your current treatments or treatment plans.
It’s an emergency. What do I do?
Call 911 or proceed to your nearest emergency room immediately. Felix is not intended for medical emergencies. Once the emergency has been addressed or resolved, contact your prescribing practitioner to inform them of your experience as this may impact your current treatment plan.
What is Felix?
Felix is Canada’s first truly integrated healthcare platform. We provide on-demand treatment for everyday health needs like weight loss, mental health, sexual health, and more. Founded in 2019, our digital-first approach to healthcare includes everything from diagnosis to prescription — all accessible from the comfort of home.
Who can use Felix?
Anyone who is 18 years or older (16 or older for acne and birth control prescriptions), and is located in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan or Ontario. We cannot ship treatments outside of these provinces at this time.
Can I just get the treatment and skip the online visit?
No. A visit with a licensed healthcare practitioner is required for all treatments currently provided through Felix’s service.
Please email our Customer Support team at [email protected] and they will be able to assist you with the transfer.
Do I need to complete my online visit at a scheduled time?
No. We use an asynchronous telemedicine model so you can complete your online visit in your own time and we save your progress so you can come back later to finish it.
If you are completing a visit in the mental health or weight loss categories, your healthcare practitioner may require a phone or video call to discuss your medical profile further during the assessment process.
Does the online visit require a phone or video appointment?
Most assessments do not require a phone or video conversation. Once a prescriber has reviewed the info in your assessment they will respond to you via secure instant messages that you can access within your Felix account.
If you are completing a visit in the mental health or weight loss categories, your healthcare practitioner may require a phone or video call to discuss your medical profile further during the assessment process.
How does the visit work?
After creating an account, you will complete a medical assessment for evaluation by one of the Felix healthcare practitioners.
During your assessment, you will have the opportunity to send your practitioner questions via secure messaging.
In most cases, practitioners will complete your assessment with secure messaging alone but sometimes they may determine you require an audio or video visit and/or further diagnostic testing to help determine the best treatment plan for you.
If your practitioner has determined a prescription treatment is appropriate, they will approve your visit and write you a prescription. Our pharmacy will then ship your prescription to your home.
You’ll be able to message your healthcare practitioner if you have questions or want to make changes to your treatment at any time.
How quickly will a healthcare practitioner review my online visit?
You can expect to receive a response from a healthcare practitioner within 24 hours of submission. If you’ve been waiting longer than this, please reach out to our Patient Support team through the chat bubble in the bottom right corner of your account or our Contact Us page.
I completed my online visit. Now what?
Great, you’ve already taken the first step! Next, a healthcare practitioner will review your assessment and if necessary, will send you a link to book an online audio or video appointment with them. This appointment will help them determine the best treatment plan for you. If your healthcare practitioner thinks you will benefit from an available medication, they will write you a prescription. Our pharmacy can ship your medication to your home if you would like your medication dispensed through the Felix Pharmacy network.
Do I have to be home to receive my package?
A signature upon delivery may be required.
How and when can I update my shipping address?
Your address can be updated from the Shipping tab of your account. Kindly note that any changes need to be made 48hr ahead of your refill date.
How long will it take to get my medication?
Not long. After completing your assessment, a practitioner will generally respond within 24 hours, and often much sooner.
The pharmacy will process and fill your prescription within 2-3 business days of your prescription approval date if there is nothing blocking them from doing so.
All packages are shipped via Express Post, which usually takes 2-3 business days. You will receive an email with your tracking number once your treatment has been shipped.
How many days do I have to notify you of an undelivered or lost package, or damaged medication?
You have 14 days from the date your tracking link was sent to notify us of an undelivered or lost package, or damaged medication.
How much does it cost for shipping my medication?
There is currently no cost to have your medication sent to you from our Felix Pharmacy network.
How much does it cost to ship my treatment?
There is currently no cost to have your treatment shipped to you from our Felix Pharmacy network.
I received an email with a tracking number but it doesn’t seem to be working!
Your tracking number will be activated when the courier picks up your shipment from the pharmacy. Please allow until 6 pm the following business day, and you should then be able to see the status of your package. If the tracking number still isn’t working, please reach out to our Patient Support team through the chat bubble in the bottom right corner of your account or our Contact Us page and we’ll look into it.
Is your packaging discreet?
Absolutely. All Felix shipments arrive in a nondescript blister package so you can have your treatment shipped wherever makes sense for you as long as there is someone there to sign for it.
What do I do if my package was returned to Felix?
We’ll contact you via email if your package is returned to us!
For most treatments, your meds will be destroyed 1 month after your fill date should you fail to respond to Felix Customer Support or contact the partner pharmacy. Temperature controlled medications may have a reduced reshipment eligibility window due to their limited shelf life, in accordance with product guidelines. All reshipments are at the discretion of a pharmacist’s professional judgment.
If you require assistance with a returned package, please reach out to our Patient Support team through the chat bubble in the bottom right corner of your account or our Contact Us page.
What happens if there isn’t anyone available for the delivery?
Depending on your province of residence and the treatment being dispensed, your Felix packages may require a signature on delivery. If this cannot be collected where necessary, your package will be available at the closest post office for pick up. Usually, packages are available for up to 14 days after the first attempted delivery. If you don’t pick up your package within the allotted time, it will be returned to the sender, which may cause a further delay in your delivery.
When is my medication shipped?
Status updates for your prescription will appear in the Upcoming tab. You’ll be able to see if your prescription is being processed by our pharmacists or if it’s en route for delivery.
Refill schedule (drug dependent)
- Monthly: refill is processed approx. every 20 to 23 days
- Every 2 months: refill is processed approx. every 50 to 53 days
- Every 3 months: refill is processed approx. every 76 to 84 days
Will I be able to receive my medication on time during the holidays?
Yes, the pharmacy will process your prescription to account for any expected delays due to the holiday season.
Can I have my medical records with Felix shared with my primary care provider?
We are happy to facilitate a release of your medical records with Felix to your primary care provider. Please send a request message through the chat bubble in the bottom right corner of your account or our Contact Us page, and our clinical operations team will be happy to help.
How is my privacy protected?
Your privacy is our top priority. All your data is 256 bit SSL/TLS encrypted, and we take significant steps to keep your data secure. You can read our Privacy Policy for more information.
Is my information private and secure?
Yes, your security is paramount to Felix’s mission. Personal health information provided during your medical assessment is strictly and legally confidential between you and the Felix healthcare practitioner.
Beyond that, all your account information (including the medical assessment, credit card, and shipping information, etc.) is also stored safely and securely. Felix is compliant with all federal and provincial health privacy legislation. It is our duty to protect your data with comprehensive security infrastructure and stringent data policies to ensure it stays private and secure.
Read more on our Privacy Policy.
Is this legal?
Yes! In Canada, only a licensed healthcare practitioner can write a prescription, and only a registered pharmacist can fill that prescription. We are supported by leaders in the Canadian pharmacology and specialized medical fields. Felix adheres strictly to all the regulations set forth by all applicable Colleges of Pharmacists and Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons in which we operate.
Is this safe?
Absolutely. All prescriptions obtained via Felix are provided by licensed Canadian healthcare practitioners—the same as you would get at a hospital, doctor’s office, or clinic. These practitioners do not provide prescriptions unless they deem it medically safe and appropriate to write them based on your medical profile and assessment answers. Our assessments have been crafted by the practitioners on our medical team. Finally, all Felix Pharmacies are provincially accredited just like any retail pharmacy.
How do I change my credit card information?
Go to Billing, and you will be able to update the credit card information on file.
How much does a checkup visit cost?
The cost of the checkup visit varies by category, but in many cases there is no charge, so long as you complete your checkup visit before your current prescription expires.
How much is the online visit?
Felix charges a fee for the online visit. In most cases the fee is $40 but varies by treatment category. The visit fee includes a prescription valid for up to a year (depending on the condition) and on-going support from the healthcare practitioner or pharmacist.
How much will my treatment cost?
It depends. Treatment costs vary but will be in line with what you would pay at a pharmacy in person. You will see the estimated cost of your treatment before insurance, during the online visit but will only be billed for medication costs for your prescription once it is approved and sent to our pharmacy. Once approved, your treatment and payment will be processed within one to two days.
Keep in mind that you won’t necessarily need to pay the full price yourself. If you have insurance, Felix’s partner pharmacies will bill your insurer directly. You may also be eligible for financial support in your province.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept all major credit cards for any aspect of your treatment not covered by insurance or other financial support
Why can’t I see medication prices on the website?
While it is illegal in Canada to display market pricing for prescription medication, you will be able to see the estimated cost of medication during the online visit. The price shown is an estimation and will vary if the healthcare practitioner prescribes you a different medication, or if you have insurance or benefits coverage. All estimated prices shown during the online visit include the pharmacy fill fee based on the refill schedule of your choice.
Will I be charged for the visit fee, even if a prescription is denied?
Yes, the visit fee is charged when you submit your visit and is generally refunded if the visit is denied by your healthcare practitioner.
Exceptions apply: Weight Loss visit fees are refunded only if you are deemed clinically ineligible. Visit fees for Diagnostic categories (Metabolic Health, STIs) and Menopause are non-refundable. For these complex health categories, the visit fee covers the practitioner’s time to review your medical assessment, issuing a lab requisition, reviewing your lab results with you, and making a diagnosis if applicable.
Am I covered by my insurance?
Treatment coverage varies greatly between different insurance plans.
The good news is that if you are covered, Felix can bill your insurer directly, and then process your treatment plan at no additional cost to you. We recommend that you upload your private and/or provincial benefit card during the online visit so that our pharmacy partner can apply any coverage you are eligible for before processing your treatment plan.
Insurance coverage for treatment plans through Felix doesn’t include the cost of your visit.
I didn’t have insurance when I first got my prescription, but now I have it. What do I do?
Go to Billing where you can add or update your insurance information on file.
I forgot to upload my insurance information before my first fill was charged. What can I do now?
You will find the official receipt for your medication costs within your package from the pharmacy. This receipt can be used to submit a manual claim directly to your insurance/benefits provider. Future refills will be direct-billed directly to your insurance provider, once you have uploaded your insurance information from the Billing tab of your account.
I uploaded my insurance information during my online visit but still see a cost for the medication in my profile.
The coverage you are eligible for will not be deducted until the pharmacy processes your refill, so the price you see in your profile is the estimated maximum medication cost before benefits. Once the pharmacy ships your meds, the actual cost will be displayed for the respective refill.
Is birth control covered by OHIP in Ontario?
OHIP+ covers some birth control for eligible residents of Ontario who are under 25 years old and do not have private insurance. You can check if your birth control medication is covered here. Make sure to upload your Ontario health card during your online visit so our pharmacy partners can apply your coverage directly.
Is the medication covered by my insurance or provincial health plans?
Medication coverage varies greatly between different plans, provinces, and has specific criteria that determine eligibility. For private insurance, we recommend contacting your benefits administrator with your details and the Drug Identification Number (DIN) and the drug name to determine your coverage.
For more details on provincial health plan coverage see below:
Alberta: Learn more about AHCIP here. Search for covered drugs here.
British Columbia: Learn more about MSP here. Search for covered drugs here.
Manitoba: Learn more about MHSIP here. Search for covered drugs here.
Newfoundland and Labrador: Learn more about MCP here. Search for covered drugs here.
Nova Scotia: Learn more about MSI here. Search for covered drugs here.
Ontario: Learn more about OHIP+ here. Search for covered drugs here.
Prince Edward Island: Learn more about Health PEI here. Search for covered drugs here.
Saskatchewan: Learn more about Saskatchewan Health Coverage here. Search for covered drugs here.
Is the online visit covered by my insurance or provincial health plans?
A Felix online visit is considered asynchronous since it is conveniently completed through a secure chat bases system. Currently, asynchronous visits are not covered by insurance or provincial health plans so you will be charged a visit fee, depending on the category of treatment you are requesting.
Is the treatment covered by my insurance or provincial health plans?
Treatment coverage varies greatly between different plans, provinces, and has specific criteria that determine eligibility. For private insurance, we recommend contacting your benefits administrator with your details and the information associated with your treatment.
For more details on provincial health plan coverage see below:
Alberta: Learn more about AHCIP here. Search for covered treatments here.
British Columbia: Learn more about MSP here. Search for covered treatments here.
Manitoba: Learn more about MHSIP here. Search for covered drugs here.
Newfoundland and Labrador: Learn more about MCP here. Search for covered treatments here.
Nova Scotia: Learn more about MSI here. Search for covered treatments here.
Ontario: Learn more about OHIP+ here. Search for covered treatments here.
Prince Edward Island: Learn more about Health PEI here. Search for covered treatments here.
Saskatchewan: Learn more about Saskatchewan Health Coverage here. Search for covered treatments here.
My insurance provider needs a physician to fill out a form before they will cover my medication costs. Can this be done through Felix?
Yes, but at the discretion of our medical team. Please submit your insurance request form here. If the healthcare practitioner agrees to complete the form, a $35 fee per insurance form will apply.
Read more here for full details about the Insurance Special Authorization Form process.
If you run into any issues, please reach out to our Patient Support team through the chat bubble in the bottom right corner of your account or our Contact Us page.