Abnormal liver function tests in acne patients receiving isotretinoin

Isotretinoin is an efficacious treatment option for severe acne. Although isotretinoin often causes mild liver enzyme elevation, how acne patients should be monitored on isotretinoin therapy is not well characterized.

The purpose of this study was to assess the management and clinical outcome of acne patients with abnormal aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) when receiving isotretinoin.

A retrospective chart review was conducted in acne subjects with abnormal AST and ALT levels receiving isotretinoin. Abnormal liver enzymes were graded using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 5.

Of 108 subjects with abnormal liver enzymes, 79 subjects were on isotretinoin 80 mg and 23 subjects were on isotretinoin 40 mg. Most abnormalities were during Month 1 of therapy (48). Of the 122 abnormal Grade 1 AST elevations, 40 normalized, 38 remained in Grade 1, and 1 increased into Grade 2 when a healthcare provider maintained the isotretinoin dose. Of the 102 abnormal Grade 1 ALT levels managed by maintaining the isotretinoin dose, 31 normalized and 38 remained persistently elevated.

Most mild elevations of isotretinoin therapy do not worsen. Acne patients with isotretinoin may not need continued testing when experiencing low-grade liver enzyme abnormalities.