Which retinoids are prescribed for the treatment of skin diseases?

Retinoids may be used topically or orally. Topical retinoids approved for use in the United States include tretinoin (alltrans retinoic acid), a naturally occurring metabolite of vitamin A; tazarotene, a synthetic retinoid; and alitretinoin (9-cisretinoic acid). Adapalene is a retinoid-like drug that is also available topically. The three oral synthetic retinoids available in the United States are isotretinoin, acitretin, and bexarotene. Etretinate was formerly available, but it has been pulled from the market and replaced by acitretin. Prescription retinoids are summarized in Table 56-1.

Table 56-1. Prescription Retinoids
	TOPICAL PREPARATIONS		ORAL PREPARATIONS
	Tretinoin (all-trans retinoic acid) Retin-A (0.025%, 0.05%, 0.1% cream; 0.025% gel; 0.05% liquid) Retin-A Micro (0.04%, 0.1% gel microsphere) Renova (0.02%, 0.05% emollient cream) Avita (0.025% cream and gel) Atralin (0.05% gel) Refissa (0.05% cream) Tazarotene Avage (0.1% cream) Tazorac (0.05%, 0.1% gel) Alitretinoin (9-cis-retinoic acid) Panretin (0.1% gel) Adapalene (retinoid-like drug) Differin (0.1% gel, solution, cream, pledgets) Epiduo (also contains benzoyl peroxide)		Isotretinoin (13-cis-retinoic acid) Multiple brands (10-, 20-, 30-, and 40-mg capsules) Acitretin Soriatane (10- and 25-mg capsules) Bexarotene Targretin (75-mg capsules)
	Generic drugs appear as bold terms in the list.