ATRA

Medical abbreviation · Drug

ATRA
Stands forAll-trans retinoic acid (tretinoin)
CategoriesMedical

ATRA stands for All-trans retinoic acid (tretinoin), a drug abbreviation.

Oral vitamin A derivative that makes acute promyelocytic leukemia cells mature instead of multiplying. Combined with arsenic trioxide, it cures most patients with low-risk acute promyelocytic leukemia without traditional chemotherapy.

Example: Suspected APL: start ATRA 45 mg/m2/day immediately while awaiting PML-RARA results.

Usage notes

ATRA is started on clinical suspicion because the disorder's bleeding risk is so high. The main danger is differentiation syndrome, with fever, fluid retention and breathing trouble, treated with dexamethasone. Topical tretinoin (Retin-A) for acne is the same molecule in very different doses.

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This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.