Oral Isotretinoin for Acne
November 2018
in “
Cochrane library
”
Studysummary This study found that oral isotretinoin may slightly improve physician-assessed acne severity but is associated with more minor adverse effects compared to standard oral antibiotics plus topical treatment, based on low-quality evidence. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.
The document reviewed the efficacy and safety of oral isotretinoin for treating acne, analyzing 31 randomized controlled trials with 3,836 participants. It concluded that isotretinoin was highly effective in reducing severe acne lesions and preventing scarring, but it was associated with significant side effects such as teratogenicity, mucocutaneous effects, elevated liver enzymes, and potential psychiatric symptoms. The review emphasized the importance of closely monitoring patients during treatment to manage these risks effectively. Despite these risks, isotretinoin remained a preferred treatment for severe acne due to its efficacy. The quality of evidence was generally low due to study design limitations and data imprecision, indicating a need for further research.
