Low-cumulative dose isotretinoin treatment in mild-to-moderate acne: efficacy in achieving stable remission

Authors: Borghi, A.; Mantovani, L.; Minghetti, S.; Giari, S.; Virgili, A.; Bettoli, V.

Source: Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology & Venereology, Volume 25, Number 9, 1 September 2011 , pp. 1094-1098(5)

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Abstract:

<title type="main">Abstract</title>

Background  Aimed at the reduction of post-treatment relapse of severe acne, the cumulative dose of oral isotretinoin should be ≥120 mg/kg. However, data on the appropriate oral isotretinoin treatment regimen in mild and moderate acne are lacking.

Objective  The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of an isotretinoin-sparing protocol in inducing permanent remission of mild and moderate acne.

Methods  In this open, prospective, non-comparative study, 150 patients affected with mild-to-moderate acne were treated with isotretinoin until complete recovery and for a further month of treatment, independent of the total cumulative dose reached. Patients then underwent a 1-year maintenance therapy with adapalene 0.1% cream. Patients were followed up for a further year, without any treatment.

Results  A total of 139 patients completed the study. Overall, patients received a mean of 80.92 mg/kg cumulative dose of isotretinoin. In the 2-year follow-up, relapse only appeared in 13 patients (9.35%).

Conclusion  Comparing our findings with published data, this isotretinoin-sparing regimen was shown to be effective in inducing stable remission and preventing acne relapses in patients with mild-to-moderate acne. Low-cumulative dose regimens may potentially lead to a lower incidence of side-effects and to lower costs than higher doses.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-3083.2010.03933.x

Affiliations: 1: Section of Dermatology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy

Publication date: 2011-09-01

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