Isotretinoin treatment of acne and related disorders: an update

In the one year since isotretinoin has been available in the United States for the treatment of severe, recalcitrant, nodulocystic acne, there has been extensive clinical verification of the reports of its dramatic efficacy in the treatment of this troublesome disease. Proper selection of patients, as well as treatment with adequate doses of drug for 3 to 5 months, will most often result in significant clinical improvement or total clearing. Although dosages of less than 1 mg/kg/day may produce a nearly equivalent degree of improvement with somewhat fewer or less severe side effects, the recommended daily dose remains 1 mg/kg/day because lower dosages are associated with more frequent relapses. In severe cases, the daily dosage may be increased to 2 mg/kg/day. Teratogenicity, elevation of serum triglycerides, liver function abnormalities, pancreatitis, and pseudotumor cerebri may all be associated with isotretinoin therapy and require close monitoring of the patient.