TY - JOUR AB - Isotretinoin is an oral derivate of vitamin A that has been used since 1982 for the treatment of multiple dermatologic conditions such as severe acne, rosacea, scarring alopecia, ichthyosis or non‑melanoma skin cancer prophylaxis. The recommended dose is 0.5‑1 mg/kg/day for a period of 4‑6 months in sebaceous gland pathologies. There are many adverse effects caused by isotretinoin but by far the most important is the teratogenicity induced by this drug which is estimated to have a 20‑35% risk to infants that are exposed to isotretinoin in utero and includes numerous congenital defects such as craniofacial defects, cardiovascular and neurological malformations or thymic disorders. Isotretinoin induces apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in human sebocytes, emphasizing these as processes associated with its teratogenic effect. The aim of this review is to analyze the latest literature data regarding the teratogenic effect of isotretinoin for both fertile females and males and its biological effects underlying the occurrence of congenital malformations under the influence of isotretinoin. AD - Department of Dermatology, ‘Elias’ Emergency University Hospital, 011461 Bucharest, Romania Department of Urology, ‘Carol Davila’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, ‘Carol Davila’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania AU - Draghici,Carmen-Cristina AU - Miulescu,Raluca-Gabriela AU - Petca,Răzvan-Cosmin AU - Petca,Aida AU - Dumitrașcu,Mihai,Cristian AU - Șandru,Florica DA - 2021/05/01 DO - 10.3892/etm.2021.9966 IS - 5 JO - Exp Ther Med KW - isotretinoin teratogenicity apoptosis acne malformations PY - 2021 SN - 1792-0981 1792-1015 SP - 534 ST - Teratogenic effect of isotretinoin in both fertile females and males (Review) T2 - Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine TI - Teratogenic effect of isotretinoin in both fertile females and males (Review) UR - https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2021.9966 VL - 21 ER -