Articles: isotretinoin-administration-dosage.
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Acne vulgaris, a chronic inflammatory disease of the pilosebaceous unit associated with socialisation and mental health problems, may affect more than 80% of teenagers. Isotretinoin is the only drug that targets all primary causal factors of acne; however, it may cause adverse effects. ⋯ Evidence was low-quality for most assessed outcomes.We are unsure if isotretinoin improves acne severity compared with standard oral antibiotic and topical treatment when assessed by a decrease in total inflammatory lesion count, but it may slightly improve physician-assessed acne severity. Only one serious adverse event was reported in the isotretinoin group, which means we are uncertain of the risk of serious adverse effects; however, isotretinoin may result in more minor adverse effects.Heterogeneity in the studies comparing different regimens, doses, or formulations of oral isotretinoin meant we were unable to undertake meta-analysis. Daily treatment may be more effective than treatment for one week each month. None of the studies in this comparison reported serious adverse effects, or measured improvement in acne severity assessed by physician's global evaluation. We are uncertain if there is a difference in number of minor adverse effects, such as skin dryness, between doses/regimens.Evidence quality was lessened due to imprecision and attrition bias. Further studies should ensure clearly reported long- and short-term standardised assessment of improvement in total inflammatory lesion counts, participant-reported outcomes, and full safety accounts. Oral isotretinoin for acne that has not responded to oral antibiotics plus topical agents needs further assessment, as well as different dose/regimens of oral isotretinoin in acne of all severities.
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Review
Evaluation of Evidence for Acne Remission With Oral Isotretinoin Cumulative Dosing of 120-150 mg/kg.
Oral isotretinoin (ISO) is the standard of care for severe inflammatory acne and a threshold dose of 120-150 mg/kg is widely regarded as increasing remission potential. ⋯ The threshold dose of 120-150 mg/kg for oral ISO is based on past parameters of treatment duration and prior studies used vague or inconsistent definitions of clearance and remission. Optimal cumulative doses of ISO required to induce remission appears to vary with severity.
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Dermatology (Basel) · Jan 1997
ReviewDoes oral isotretinoin prevent Propionibacterium acnes resistance?
Oral and topical antibiotics play a major role in acne therapy. Physicians base treatment choices on personal perceptions of efficacy, cost-effectiveness or risk-benefit ratios and rarely take bacterial resistance into account. Propionibacterium acnes isolates resistant to one or more anti-acne antibiotics have been reported in Europe, the USA, Japan and New Zealand. ⋯ Recommendations for the use of antibiotics in acne therapy to help prevent the emergence of resistance in P. acnes include the implementation of antibiotic usage policies and the encouragement of improved prescribing habits. Strategies to reduce the resistant P. acnes population are necessary. This paper reports preliminary data demonstrating that oral isotretinoin (Roaccutane/Accutane) significantly reduces total numbers of resistant P. acnes on the skin of all patients.
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Since oral isotretinoin (Roaccutane/Accutane) is the only therapy to address all major acne causes, it remains the most effective antiacne therapy available. Due to this unique efficacy and its potential side effects that are predictable and can be managed easily and effectively, it is widely used also in acne patients suffering from serious systemic diseases. As the primary mechanism of action of oral isotretinoin is suppression of sebaceous gland activity, mucocutaneous side effects such as dry lips, nasal passages and eyes are predictable. ⋯ Severe side effects are rare, the most common being aches and pains requiring no therapy, aspirin or paracetamol. As with other retinoids, reliable contraception is mandatory for women of childbearing potential. Acne patients with serious concomitant systemic disease, such as insulin-dependent diabetes, epilepsy or spina bifida, transplant patients, patients with renal failure, multiple sclerosis motor neuron disease and other can also safe be treated with a standard cumulative dose of 120 mg/kg per treatment course.
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Isotretinoin (Roaccutane/Accutane) therapy (120 mg/kg) normally results in complete clearing of nodulocystic acne followed by prolonged remission, and many patients remain free of disease. Four groups of patients respond poorly or have a high rate of relapse. Preteens and young teenagers show a high rate of relapse and several courses of treatment are usually needed; 14 of 20 under the age of 12 years, 21 of 47 aged 12-14 and 23 of 66 aged 14-16 relapsed within 1 year. ⋯ These individuals typically have a history of other 'sinus track' disease such as pilonidial sinus and hidradenitis, either themselves or other family members. Hemorrhagic or crusted lesions can be exacerbated by full doses of isotretinoin and patients develop pyrogenic-granuloma-type lesions and even acne-fulminans-like eruptions. Women with adrenal or ovarian syndrome associated with elevated androgens commonly relapse with 6-12 months after isotretinoin therapy.