Dose-response relationship in isotretinoin therapy for conglobate acne

58 male patients with therapy-resistant conglobate acne were randomly selected for treatment with isotretinoin 1.0 or 0.5 mg/kg bodyweight. 27 patients received the high-dose regimen and 31 patients the lower dosage. The efficacy of the drug was highly satisfactory in both therapy groups and no differences could be observed between them. Side-effects (dry lips, dry nose, scaling of the skin) were generally well tolerated in both groups, they were more serious in the 1.0-mg/kg group. It is concluded that isotretinoin therapy is very effective in male patients with conglobate acne and that a dosage of 0.5 mg/kg is preferable to higher dosage regimens.