Indication, Contraindication, Complication and Monitoring of Isotretinoin
Nawal Rajeh Alyamani *
Department of Dermatology, King Fahad General Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Abrar Saleh Alharbi
Primary Health Care, Ministry of Health, Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
Theyab Abdullah Alghamdi
College of Medicine, Ibn Sina National College, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Ohud Awwadh Althagafi
College of Pharmacy, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia.
Yasser Jabah Alsenadi
Department of Pharmacy, King Khalid Hospital, Najran, Saudi Arabia.
Abdulrahman Ali Abdulrahman
College of Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland – Medical University of Bahrain, Muharraq, Bahrain.
Farah Abdulkareem Almomen
College of Medicine, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Kawthar Mahmood Abdulghaffar
College of Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland – Medical University of Bahrain, Muharraq, Bahrain.
Mayyasa Shawqi Aljawder
College of Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland – Medical University of Bahrain, Muharraq, Bahrain.
Arwa Mohammed Alamer
College of Medicine, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Waleed Fawaz Alharbi
College of Medicine, Batterjee Medical College, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Acne is the most prevalent skin disorder affecting primarily adolescents and young adults. Side effects of acne, such as scarring, dyspigmentation, and low self-esteem, can cause severe morbidity. Isotretinoin is a medication that is used to treat severe acne. The medicine was licensed by the Food and Drug Administration in 1982 to treat severe nodular acne that had been resistant to other treatments, including systemic antibiotics. Other indications of isotretinoin include moderate acne, cutaneous T-cell lymphomas, neuroblastoma, and the prevention of squamous cell carcinoma in high-risk patients. Rosacea, folliculitis, and pyoderma faciale have all been treated with isotretinoin. Some side effects are also associated with the use of isotretinoin including teratogenicity the most severe one. The purpose of this research is to review the available information about indication, contraindication, complication and monitoring of Isotretinoin. Various dermatological conditions are also treated with isotretinoin apart from the common indication of acne. Complete blood count along with the lipid profile, and liver function test are monitored in patients on isotretinoin therapy. Dry lips and dry skin are among the common side effects of isotretinoin. Due to the severe complication of teratogenicity isotretinoin is contraindicated among pregnant women. Evidence from the literature suggests that isotretinoin is the effective medication in treatment of acne and low dose of isotretinoin does not cause any complication. Evidence-based guidelines and strategies for safety and efficacy of isotretinoin can be developed by further clinical research and trials.
Keywords: Acne, isotretinoin, indication, complication