Isotretinoin
What is isotretinoin?
Isotretinoin (13-cis retinoic acid) is a vitamin-A derivative (retinoid). The liver naturally makes small quantities of isotretinoin from vitamin-A, but the drug we prescribe is made synthetically.
Isotretinoin was developed in the 1950s, but only started being used in the mid 1970s. The original brand names were Accutane® and Roaccutane®, but there are now many generic versions on the market, of varying potency. In New Zealand, oral isotretinoin is available as 5 mg, 10 mg and 20 mg capsules (Oratane® brand). It is funded by PHARMAC on Special Authority application.