Mechanism of Action of Isotretinoin

    October 2019 in “ CRC Press eBooks ”
    Bodo Melnik
    TLDR Isotretinoin effectively treats severe acne but can cause significant side effects like dry skin and hair loss.
    Systemic isotretinoin was the most effective treatment for severe acne vulgaris, particularly nodulocystic acne, due to its ability to induce apoptosis, which also explained its adverse effects like teratogenicity. It caused sebaceous gland involution, reducing sebum production. In female New Zealand rabbits, long-term isotretinoin use led to degenerative changes in Meibomian gland acini and decreased basaloid cells. It consistently caused mucocutaneous side effects, such as dry skin and retinoid dermatitis, and long-term high doses affected hair growth, leading to increased hair loss and telogen effluvium. Isotretinoin also normalized keratinization patterns in sebaceous follicles.
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