Indian J Dermatol. 2014 May-Jun; 59(3): 316.

doi: 10.4103/0019-5154.131455
PMCID: PMC4037971

Safety and Efficacy of Low-Dose Isotretinoin

in the Treatment of Moderate to Severe Acne
Vulgaris
Parinitha K Rao, Ramesh M Bhat, B Nandakishore, Sukumar Dandakeri, Jacintha Martis, and
Ganesh H Kamath
From the Department of Dermatology, Father Muller Medical College, Mangalore, Karnataka,
India
Address for correspondence: Dr. Ramesh M. Bhat, Department of Dermatology, Father Muller
Medical College, Kankanady, Mangalore - 575 002, Karnataka, India. E-mail:
moc.oohay@amredhsemar
Received 2012 May; Accepted 2013 Feb.
Copyright : Indian Journal of Dermatology
This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons AttributionNoncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and
reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract
Background:
Isotretinoin is indicated for moderate to severe cases of acne which are unresponsive to
conventional therapy. The classical recommended dose is 0.5 to 1.0 mg/kg/day. As the side
effects are dose related, low-dose isotretinoin therapy for acne is an attractive option; however,
but little data exists on the safety and efficacy of this strategy.

Materials and Methods:

In this prospective, non-comparative study, 50 participants, both male and female, having
moderate to severe acne vulgaris were enrolled and treated with isotretinoin at a dose of 20
mg/day (approximately 0.3-0.4 mg/kg/day), for a period of 3 months. Participants were
evaluated by means of clinical and laboratory investigations before starting isotretinoin.
Investigations were repeated at the end of the first and third months following completion of
treatment, and participants were followed up for 6 months to look for any relapse.

Results:

At the end of the treatment, very good results were observed in 90% of participants. Cheilitis
was the most common among the side effects observed and was seen in 98% of the participants.
One participant developed vitiligo as a side effect, which is a new finding, and has not reported
in literature before. Elevated serum lipid levels were observed in 6% of the participants, and
relapse occurred in 4% of the participants over a 6 month follow up period.

Conclusion:
Three months of treatment with low-dose isotretinoin (20 mg/day) was found to be effective in
the treatment of moderate to severe acne vulgaris, with a low incidence of serious side effects.
This dose also was more economical than the higher doses.
Keywords: Acne, low-dose isotretinoin, safety and efficacy

Introduction
What was known?
Isotretinoin is known to cause most of its side effects at a higher dose(0.5-1 mg/kg/day) which is
the classical recommended dose. As the side effects are dose related, low-dose (0.3-0.4
mg/kg/day) of isotretinoin seems to be an attractive option, but little data exists on the safety and
efficacy of this strategy.
Acne is a chronic inflammatory disease of the pilosebaceous units, and is primarily seen in
adolescents. It can have a significant psychological and social impact. Most cases of acne
present with a pleomorphic variety of lesions consisting of comedones, papules, pustules and
nodules, and in some cases are accompanied by scarring.[1] Retinoids are a key component of
anti-acne therapy. The introduction of isotretinoin, a first generation synthetic retinoid, for the
treatment of patients with moderate to severe acne vulgaris is regarded as a major therapeutic
advance in dermatology.[2]
Isotretinoin is indicated for severe acne and moderate cases of acne that are unresponsive to
conventional therapy. The classical recommended dose is 0.5 to 1.0 mg/kg/day for 4 to 8 months.
As the side effects are dose related, the idea of low-dose isotretinoin therapy for acne is
attractive; however, little data exists on the safety and efficacy of this strategy in Indian
participants.[3] We have undertaken this study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of low-dose
isotretinoin in the treatment of moderate to severe acne vulgaris, and thus determine an effective
modality of treatment with a low incidence of severe side effects, in a more cost effective
manner.

Materials and Methods

Source of data
A total of 50 participants diagnosed as having moderate to severe acne vulgaris, and attending
the dermatology Out Patient Department (OPD) at Fr. Muller Medical college Hospital,
Mangalore, were studied. The participants were recruited over a period of two years, from
September 2009 to September 2011, and were followed up for three months to know the safety
and efficacy of low-dose isotretinoin in the treatment of moderate to severe acne vulgaris.

Methods of collection of data

In this prospective non-comparative study, 50 participants having moderate to severe acne
vulgaris were selected after taking an informed written consent using purposive sampling
technique. The participants diagnostic and clinical data including age, sex, site of acne, duration
and severity of acne and indications for isotretinoin therapy was noted down. The initial
assessment of acne was done using the global acne grading system (GAGS) [Table 1.[4]

Global acne grading system

This system divides the face, chest and back into six areas (forehead, each cheek, nose, chin,
chest and back) and assigns a factor to each area on the basis of size. Baseline investigations
including complete blood cell counts, liver function tests, lipid profile and urine pregnancy test
(for female participants of child bearing potential) were done before starting the participant on
isotretinoin, and follow up investigations were carried out at the end of first and third month
following completion of the treatment. Female participants were started on treatment only after
their next menstrual period to ensure that they are not pregnant at the time of initiation of the
treatment. The participants were also followed up for 6 months after completion of treatment to
look for any relapse. The dose of isotretinoin used was 20 mg/day over a period of 3 months.
The response to treatment was evaluated at end of 1 month and at the end of 3 months following
completion of treatment and, was assessed on scales 0-4.

Scale definition

0 completely cleared 100% lesion clearance

1 marked improvement > 75% lesion clearance

2 moderate improvement 50-75% lesion clearance

3 mild improvement 25-50% lesion clearance

4 insignificant improvement < 25% lesion clearance

The efficacy of the drug was assessed by lesion counts at each visit. The participants were also
evaluated for safety and efficacy of the drug on each follow up visit.

Data analysis
Data was analyzed by the Friedman test and t-test and Statistical Package for Social Sciences
(SPSS)-version 13 software was used to generate the analysis.

Inclusion criteria

Age above 12 years and of both the sexes

Participants having moderate to severe facial acne vulgaris

Participants willing to undergo treatment and follow ups

Exclusion criteria

Age less than 12 years

Participants having mild facial acne vulgaris

Pregnant women and women who intend to become pregnant during the course of
treatment

Participants who intend to consume alcohol during the treatment course

Presence of any renal or hepatic compromise or any pre-existing hyperlipidemia

Participants not willing for the necessary investigations

Results
Out of the total number of 50 participants, 38 participants (76%) were males and 12 participants
(24%) were females. There was an overall male preponderance, the male to female ratio being
3.1:1. Majority of the participants, 35 in number (70%), were in the age group of 21-30 years,
the mean age calculated as 26.36 years (Standard Deviation, S.D-5.90). Nodulocystic acne was
the most common indication for treatment and was seen in 22 participants (44%), followed by
the reason of acne being resistant to treatment in 20 participants (40%), and frequent relapses in
8 participants (16%). On cutaneous assessment, it was found that at week 0, 6 participants (12%)
had grade II acne, 28 participants (56%) had grade III acne and 16 participants (32%) had grade
IV acne. At the end of 12 weeks, that is, on the completion of treatment, 3 participants (6%) had
grade 0 acne, 45 participants (90%) had grade I acne and 2 participants (4%) had grade II acne.
During the follow up after 6 months, it was found that 3 participants (6%) had grade 0 acne, 44
participants (88%) had grade I acne, 2 participants (4%) had grade II acne and 1 participant (2%)
had grade III acne. Relapse was seen in 2 participants (4%); 1 participant falling in the range of
grade I to grade II acne, and 2nd participant in the range of grade II to grade III acne [Table 2].

Tabel 2

Grade of acne in the patients in the study

A significant reduction in the grade of acne was found at the end of treatment, and the reduction
in the grade of acne was found to be statistically significant (Friedman Test, 2 = 146.23, P <
0.0001, Highly Significant) [Table 3].
Tabel 3

Results-grade of acne in the patients in the study at the end of treatment

At the end of 12 weeks post treatment, 3 participants (6%) had 100% lesion clearance (scale 0),
45 participants (90%) had > 75% lesion clearance (scale 1) and 2 participants (4%) had 50-75%
lesion clearance (scale 2) [Table 4]
Tabel 4

Post treatment-scale of acne in the patients in the study

[Figures [Figures1a1a,,bb and and2a2a,,bb].
Figure 1

(a) Pretreatment photograph (b) Post treatment photograph

Figure 2

(a) Pretreatment photograph (b) Post treatment photograph

The adverse effects observed on treatment with isotretinoin were as follows:

Cheilitis was the most common among the adverse effects observed, and was seen in 49
participants (98%) [Figure 3a], followed by Xerosis in 42 participants (84%), dandruff in 6
participants (12%), erythema of the face [Figure 3b] and hair rough and dry in 4 participants
each (8%), dryness of mouth, abnormal levels of total cholesterol and serum triglycerides,
abnormal levels of liver enzymes in 3 participants each (6%). Hair loss and headache were
observed in 2 participants (4%). One participant (2%) developed lesions of vitiligo. [Figure 3c
and Table 5].
Figure 3

(a) Side effect: Cheilitis (b) Side effect: Erythema of the face (c) Side effect: Development of
vitiligo in a patient in the study

Table 5
Side effects observed in the patients in the study

When the lab investigations were performed, a significant increase was seen in the level of total
cholesterol and serum triglycerides, and a raise above normal values was seen in 3 participants
(6%). There was a significant increase in the level of liver enzymes before and after treatment
and a raise above normal values was seen in 3 participants (6%). However, no significant
changes were observed in the levels of hemoglobin, white blood cells count and platelet count
before and after treatment [Table 6].

Table 6

Results of Lab investigations of the patients in the study

Discussion
Several studies have been conducted to study the safety and efficacy of low-dose isotretinoin in
the treatment of moderate to severe acne vulgaris.[3,5,6,7,8,9,10] In a study conducted by
Amichai et al.,[3] good results were seen in 93% of the participants and relapse was seen in 4%
of the participants. Cheilitis was the most commonly observed side effect and was seen in 91%
of the participants. Abnormal values of liver enzymes were observed in 4.8% of the participants
and abnormal serum lipid values were observed in 4.2% of the participants. The results obtained
in our study was similar to the study done by Amichai et al.[3] In our study, excellent results
were seen in 6% of the participants, very good results were seen in 90% of the participants and
relapse was observed in 4% of the participants. Chelitis was the most common among the side
effects observed, and was seen in 98% of the participants, with abnormal values of liver
enzymes in 6% of the participants and abnormal values of serum lipids in 6% of the participants.
An analysis of the studies revealed that due to the intrinsic superlative efficacy of isotretinoin in
acne, the efficacy was as high as 88.52%, and a mean of 90% efficacy was maintained.[11,12,13]
Thus, the comparative analysis can be logically based on the dose of isotretinoin discounting the
varying protocols. In conclusion, the efficacy of the drug ranged from 69 to 99%.
[5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14] There was no difference between the weekly and the daily/alternate
day regimens.[8,9] In our study, the efficacy of isotretinoin in the treatment of moderate to
severe acne vulgaris was found to be 90%.
Hermes et al.,[6] (8.3 months; 10 mg/d up to 0.43 mg/kg) reported very good results in 62.8%
and good results in 31.9% of the participants. Mandekou-Lefaki et al.,[10] achieved excellent
results in 68% and fair to good results in 31.2% (dose of 0.15-0.4 mg/kg/d; 8 months). In a study
from India,[9] a low-dose isotretinoin treatment (0.15-0.28 mg/kg/d) lead to clinically significant
results in 87.54% of the participants, including 68.20% very good and 19.34% of good results.
However in our study, excellent results were seen in 6% of the participants, and very good
results were seen in 90% of the participants (20 mg/d up to 3 months).
Goulden et al.[15] followed their participants for four months and stated that 85% were free of
acne during this period. Nonetheless, two points of the isotretinoin therapy cannot be ignored: 1)
Slow response to treatment, and 2) Flare-up of the lesions. Some researchers believe that

macrocomedones and nodules are the most common factors showing the slow response and flare
ups. The flare-up (defined as the worsening of lesions, mandating prescription of prednisolone)
rate was found to be zero in the study. Similarly, in our study there was no flare up of acne
following treatment with low-dose isotretinoin.
Our study demonstrated that the adverse effects of isotretinoin were not serious and could be
treated by conservative measures in most instances. In a study done by Zane et al.,[16] it was
observed that among the side effects, Cheilitis was the most common and occurred in 76%
participants, followed by xerosis in 24% participants. Laboratory parameters had little alterations
with limited rise in total cholesterol, serum triglyceride and liver enzyme levels. Abnormalities
in hematological tests were not seen. These results were similar to the results obtained in our
study, where cheilitis was the most common side effect observed in 98% of the participants,
followed by xerosis in 84% of the participants. Abnormal values of liver enzymes and serum
lipids were seen in 6% of the participants for each category and no abnormalities in the
hematological tests were seen. One participant in our study developed lesions of vitiligo during
the course of treatment with isotretinoin. This was a new finding which has not been reported in
any of the previous studies with low-dose isotretinoin.
Previous studies have shown that treatment with isotretinoin can cause many adverse psychiatric
effects including depression, psychosis, mood swings, violent behavior, suicide and suicide
attempts.[17] However, in our study no such adverse psychiatric effects were observed. On
comparison with previous studies of low-dose isotretinoin in acne, it was observed that the
efficacy of low-dose isotretinoin in the treatment of acne, varied from 69% to 99%, and the
relapse rate varied from 5% to 39% [Table 7].[3,5,6,7,8,9,10,12,14,15]

Table 7

Comparison of previous studies carried out with low-dose isotretinoin

However in the present study, the efficacy of low-dose isotretinoin in the treatment of moderate
to severe acne vulgaris was found to be 90%, and the relapse rate was found to be 4% over a
follow up period of 6 months.
Very few studies which highlight the safety and efficacy of low-dose isotretinoin in acne have
been published in Indian literature. In an Indian study published by Sardana et al. the in Journal
of European Academy of Dermatology Venereology and Leprosy, a fixed dose of 20 mg

isotretinoin was administered for a duration of 24 weeks along with topical clindamycin.[9] In
two other studies, different doses of isotretinoin and addition of azithromycin were used,
respectively.[18,19] In our study the drug was administered daily for a duration of 12 weeks
without any topical medication. We also observed vitiligo in one patient as a side effect during
the treatment, which is a new observation and hasnt been reported before.

Conclusion
Three months of treatment with low-dose isotretinoin (20 mg/day) was found to be effective in
the treatment of moderate to severe acne vulgaris. The benefits accrued to the society from using
isotretinoin outweigh the risks, and thus low-dose isotretinoin can be used in the treatment of
moderate to severe acne vulgaris as an effective modality of treatment, with a low incidence of
severe side effects and at a lesser cost. We recommend judicious use of low-dose isotretinoin in
patients with moderate to severe acne, because acne not only scars the face, but also the mind
and the heart.
What is new?
Three months of treatment with low-dose isotretinoin (20 mg/day) was found to be effective in
the treatment of moderate to severe acne vulgaris, with a low incidence of serious side effects.
This dose also was more economical than the higher doses.

Footnotes
Source of Support: Nil
Conflict of Interest: Paper was presented at the World Congress of Dermatology (WCD) 2011,
Seoul. WCD 2011 Scholarship Awardee

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