How to Pronounce Isotretinoin
Definition, meaning, and phonetic spelling
Isotretinoin Pronunciation
eye-soh-TRET-ih-noy-in
Stressed syllable in ALL CAPS · hyphens separate syllables
Syllable Breakdown
eye
soh
TRET
stress here
ih
noy
in
6 syllables
What is Isotretinoin?
Isotretinoin is used to treat severe recalcitrant nodular acne (a certain type of severe acne) that has not been helped by other treatments, such as antibiotics. Isotretinoin is in a class of medications called retinoids. It works by slowing the production of certain natural substances that can cause acne.
Definition sourced from MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine
Questions About Isotretinoin
How do you pronounce isotretinoin?
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Isotretinoin is pronounced eye-soh-TRET-ih-noy-in. Break it into five syllables: eye-soh-TRET-ih-noy-in, with the stress on the third syllable, TRET. Say it like you're saying "eye" at the start, then "so," then emphasize "TRET" loudly, and finish with "ih-noy-in."
What syllable do I stress when saying isotretinoin?
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The stress falls on the third syllable: TRET. Many people incorrectly stress the last syllable (noy-IN) or the second syllable (soh), but the correct way is to emphasize TRET in the middle of the word.
What are the syllables in isotretinoin?
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Isotretinoin breaks into five syllables: eye / soh / TRET / ih / noy / in. Notice that the "i" at the start sounds like the long "i" in "eye," not like the short "i" in "sit."
What's a common mispronunciation of isotretinoin?
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A very common mistake is saying iso-treh-tin-OH-in, where people stress the last syllable instead of the third. Another error is pronouncing it as "iso-tree-tin-oy-in" with a long "ee" sound instead of the short "ih." The correct way keeps the stress firmly on TRET.
How would I use isotretinoin in a sentence?
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Here's an example: "The dermatologist explained how to pronounce isotretinoin before discussing the medication with the patient." You might hear this word in a medical office or pharmacy when discussing dermatology treatments.
Is there a shorter way to say or write isotretinoin?
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Isotretinoin is often referred to by its brand name in conversation, but on this pronunciation site, we focus on the full generic name. The full term isotretinoin is what you'll hear in medical settings and should learn to pronounce correctly.
Why do people struggle to pronounce isotretinoin?
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Isotretinoin is difficult because it has multiple syllables, an unusual starting sound (eye-), and an easy-to-miss stress pattern on the middle syllable rather than the end. The combination of these elements makes it one of those medical terms that takes practice to say smoothly.