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| Clinical data | |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | See pronunciation note |
| Trade names | Vesanoid, Avita, Renova, others |
| AHFS/Drugs.com | Systemic: Monograph Topical: Monograph |
| MedlinePlus | a608032 |
| License data | |
| Pregnancy category | |
| Routes of administration | Topical, by mouth |
| Legal status | |
| Legal status | |
| Pharmacokinetic data | |
| Protein binding | > 95% |
| Elimination half-life | 0.5-2 hours |
| Identifiers | |
| |
| Chemical and physical data | |
| Formula | C20H28O2 |
| Molar mass | 300.442 g·mol−1 |
| 3D model (JSmol) | |
| Melting point | 180 °C (356 °F) |
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| (verify) | |
Tretinoin, also known as all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), is medication used for the treatment of acne and acute promyelocytic leukemia.[4][5][6] For acne, it is applied to the skin as a cream or ointment.[6] For leukemia, it is taken by mouth for up to three months.[4]
Common side effects when used by mouth include shortness of breath, headache, numbness, depression, skin dryness, itchiness, hair loss, vomiting, muscle pains, and vision changes.[4] Other severe side effects include high white blood cell counts and blood clots.[4] When used as a cream, side effects include skin redness, peeling, and sun sensitivity.[6] Use during pregnancy is contraindicated due to the risk of birth defects.[4][1] It is in the retinoid family of medications.[5]
Tretinoin was patented in 1957, and approved for medical use in 1962.[7] It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.[8] Tretinoin is available as a generic medication.[9] In the United Kingdom the cream together with erythromycin costs the NHS about £7.05 per 25 mL while the pills are £1.61 per 10 mg.[6] In 2017, it was the 293rd most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than one million prescriptions.[10][11]