« Back to Treatment of Skin Disorders

Retinoids

»	What are retinoids?
»	How do vitamin A and retinoids exert their effect at a molecular level?
»	Which retinoids are prescribed for the treatment of skin diseases?
»	Are there any retinoids found in topical over-the-counter (OTC) products?
»	What are the clinical indications for using topical tretinoin?
»	What is the mechanism of action of tretinoin in acne vulgaris?
»	How should topical tretinoin be used to treat acne vulgaris?
»	After starting topical tretinoin for acne vulgaris, the patient reports that her acne is worse. Should she immediately discontinue the drug?
»	Is topical tretinoin cream really useful in treating photoinduced wrinkles?
»	Is there clinical evidence that topical retinoids improve melasma?
»	What are the side effects of topical tretinoin?
»	Is topical tretinoin safe to use during pregnancy or when nursing?
»	What are the clinical indications for tazarotene?
»	What are the clinical indications for alitretinoin?
»	Do retinoids have any role in the treatment or prevention of cancer?
»	What are the clinical indications for oral isotretinoin?
»	What is the mechanism of action of oral isotretinoin in acne vulgaris?
»	Are there any contraindications to the use of oral isotretinoin?
»	How is oral isotretinoin administered for the treatment of acne vulgaris?
»	What are the side effects of oral retinoid therapy?
»	Are there any strategies or treatments that reduce the dry skin and lips associated with retinoid therapy?
»	Are the clinical indications for acitretin the same as for isotretinoin?
»	What is the mechanism of action of acitretin?
»	How is acitretin administered for the treatment of psoriasis?
»	What are the contraindications for using oral acitretin?

What are the clinical indications for tazarotene?

Tazarotene is a recently introduced synthetic retinoid. It is a prodrug that is rapidly converted in vitro by skin esterases to tazarotenic acid. Tazarotenic acid has a high affinity for RAR-γ, which is the primary retinoid receptor in keratinocytes. Tazarotene is approved for the treatment of psoriasis and acne vulgaris. Dermatologists typically use a topical corticosteroid in conjunction with tazarotene when treating psoriasis.

Yamauchi PS, Rizk D, Lowe NJ: Retinoid therapy for psoriasis, Dermatol Clin 22:467–476, 2004.