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Molecular formula of Tretinoin: C20H28O2

Chemical IUPAC Name: (2E,4E,6E,8E)-3,7-Dimethyl-9-(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohexen-1-yl)nona-2,4,6,8-tetraenoic acid

Molecular weight: 300.4412 g/mol

CAS No.: 302-79-4

Structural Formula:

Tretinoin

Tretinoin, also known as all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), is medication used for the treatment of acne and acute promyelocytic leukemia. For acne it is applied to the skin as a cream or ointment. For leukemia it is taken by mouth for up to three months. Tretinoin is an acid form of vitamin A. When it is delivered to the skin in a gel, it stimulates normal maturation of cells in the epidermis of the skin. Right as it does, it activates genes that cause them to live out a 21-day life cycle during which they are pushed to the surface of the skin. Assuming the problem in the skin was sluggish growth that kept pores tight and tough skin locked over blackheads, nodules, and cysts, stimulating the growth of the skin can be just the thing for hard-to-treat blackheads and small cysts.

Topical tretinoin is also a great treatment for blackheads on oily skin. Many people who have oily skin don’t have acne problems until they spend too much time in the sun. The heat and dryness of the sun makes the skin flake. Some of these flakes get stuck in pores, where they mix with oil. The pore cannot produce enough oil to bring both dead skin and excess oil to the surface, so it quickly fills and creates a hardened plug of sebum that oxidizes, and turns black, with exposure to air.

Tretinoin stimulates skin growth around the clogged pore. The pore opens naturally with squeezing, tweezing, picking, poking, steaming, or detergent treatment. The “floppier” your skin, the better the results you will get from topical tretinoin. Tight skin does not respond as well to tretinoin, but tight skin also is less prone to whiteheads and blackheads.

Uses of Tretinoin

Tretinoin is used to treat acne. It may decrease the number and severity of acne pimples and promote quick healing of pimples that do develop. Tretinoin belongs to a class of medications called retinoids. It works by affecting the growth of skin cells. Tretinoin is used to induce remission in people with acute promyelocytic leukemia who have a mutation (the t(15;17) translocation 160 and/or the presence of the PML/RARα gene) and who don't respond to anthracyclines or can't take that class of drug. It is not used for maintenance therapy.In oral form, this drug is pregnancy category D and should not be used by pregnant women as it may harm the fetus.

Side Effects of Tretinoin

A brief sensation of warmth or stinging may occur immediately after applying the medication. Skin redness, dryness, itching, scaling, mild burning, or worsening of acne may occur during the first 2-4 weeks of using the medication. These effects usually decrease with continued use. A daytime moisturizer may be helpful for excessive dry skin.

If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Your doctor may want you to decrease how often you use tretinoin, change the strength or type, or have you stop using it.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Notify your doctor if you experience: blistering, crusting, severe burning/swelling of the skin, eye redness and watering (conjunctivitis), eyelid swelling, skin discoloration.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tretinoin https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3225141/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3045163

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16724545