Review of Retinoid Therapy for Acne
Title: Retinoid therapy for acne. A comparative
review.
Author: Chivot M.
Publication: Am J Clin Dermatol. 2005;6(1):13-9.
Retinoids are a class of chemicals that are commonly used in
treating acne because they act on the microcomedo or primary acne
lesion. Retinoids are made from vitamin A (retinol) and can be
used either in topical or oral forms.
In this review, the authors compared the following types of retinoids:
- Tretinoin (all-trans-retinoic acid)
- Isotretinoin (13-cis-retinoic acid)
- Adapalene (derived from naphthoic acid)
- Tazarotene (acetylenic retinoid)
for their effectiveness and side effects. These retinoids mainly
act as comedolytics (they destroy comedos or acne lesions), but
may also have anti-inflammatory actions.
One of the main side effects of retinoids is teratogenicity,
or the ability to cause malformed fetus. Because of this, women
of childbearing age should be aware of the risk.
