retinoic acid

Vitamin A₁ acid; retinal in which the terminal –CHO has been oxidized to a –COOH; used topically in the treatment of acne; plays an important role in growth and differentiation. SYN: vitamin A₁ acid.

- 13-cis-r. the retinoid most used in the U.S. to treat acne; it works by reducing sebum secretion. Use in pregnancy is contraindicated because of teratogenicity.

* * *

ret·i·no·ic acid .ret-ən-.ō-ik- n either of two isomers of an acid C₂₀H₂₈O₂ derived from vitamin A and used esp. in the treatment of acne:

a) or all-trans-retinoic acid TRETINOIN

b) or 13-cis-retinoic acid ISOTRETINOIN

* * *

ret·i·no·ic ac·id (ret″ĭ-noґik) an oxidized derivative of retinol, formed by carboxylation of the aldehyde group of retinal (q.v.). It is believed to be the form of vitamin A that plays a role in the development and growth of bone and in the maintenance of normal epithelial structures. In pharmacology, the term is often used alone to mean the all-trans isomer (tretinoin); the 13-cis isomer is usually called isotretinoin.