isotretinoin

English

Chemical structure of isotretinoin

Etymology

From iso- +‎ tretinoin.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˌʌɪ.sə(ʊ).tɹəˈtɪn.əʊ.ɪn/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˌaɪ.soʊˈtɹɛt.ɪˌnoʊ.ɪn/

Noun

isotretinoin (uncountable)

1. (organic chemistry, pharmacology) A cis isomer of retinoic acid that is a synthetic derivative of vitamin A, inhibits sebaceous gland function and keratinization, and is used in the treatment of severe inflammatory acne but is contraindicated in pregnancy because of its implication as a cause of birth defects.

Related terms

• alitretinoin

References

• “isotretinoin”, in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press, 2019–2022.
• “isotretinoin”, in Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 1996–present.