isotretinoin and Pain

The aim of our 10-year study was to test the effectiveness of topical therapy based on 0.18% isotretinoin, comparing it with that most frequently used, i.e. at 0.05% concentration. Seventy patients with an established diagnosis of oral lichen planus were involved in the study. The patients were randomly divided into two groups, and the drug was administered topically at 0.05% and 0.18% concentrations. The drug at the higher concentration, according to the same protocol, was administered to the patients who did not benefit from the therapy at the lower concentration. None of the cases of reticular lichen planus showed clinical or histological improvement. In contrast, the atrophic-erosive forms showed a significant improvement, both clinical and histological: in 26 patients (at 0.18% concentration) and in nine patients (at 0.05% concentration), the symptoms, as well as the erosions or ulcers observed, disappeared. The disappearance of dysplasic phenomena was observed at 0.18% concentration. Topical application of the drug was accompanied by an increase in soreness and pain, as well as greater sensitivity to hot foods. However, these side effects were transitory, and considered acceptable by the patients. The proposed therapeutic protocol was effective towards highly active atrophic-erosive oral lichen planus with dysplasic phenomena, which is the form of the disease at higher risk of malignant evolution.

Topics: Administration, Topical; Adult; Aged; Dermatologic Agents; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Hot Temperature; Humans; Isotretinoin; Lichen Planus, Oral; Male; Middle Aged; Oral Ulcer; Pain; Recurrence; Sensation; Smoking; Treatment Outcome

Topics: Acne Vulgaris; Administration, Oral; Adult; Blepharitis; Cheilitis; Conjunctivitis; Dermatologic Agents; Drug Eruptions; Drug Monitoring; Epistaxis; Female; Humans; Hypertriglyceridemia; Ichthyosis; Isotretinoin; Keratolytic Agents; Male; Pain; Pruritus; Severity of Illness Index; Treatment Outcome; Xerostomia

Patients with cystic acne (CA) on Isotretinoin (Iso) therapy might present muscular symptoms as side effect of the drug. Myalgia, weakness, hypotension are also some of the main characteristics of carnitine (car) deficiency.. Two hundred and thirty (N = 230) patients with CA were treated with Isotretinoin (0.5 mg/kg per 24 h). All the patients were requested to visit our out-patient department at the onset of muscular symptoms. Laboratory tests including car (total, free, acylcarnitine) were determined in blood and urine before treatment, at the onset of muscular symptoms and after the end of a 45 day study. Fifty percent of the patients with muscular involvement received L-carnitine (100 mg/kg per 24 h per os) (group C) and 50% placebo (group P).. Their laboratory tests showed the well known increases of their liver enzymes and lipids, whereas car blood levels were remarkably decreased at the onset of their muscular symptoms and or at the end of the study. Their supplementation with L-car, in patients of group C (N = 20) without Iso discontinuation or reduction, resulted in the disappearance of their muscular symptoms within 5-6 days and normalisation not only of the increased levels of their liver enzymes but also those of car, at the 45 day of their therapy. Additionally, the patients who received placebo (group P, N = 20) continued complaining for mualgias. The rest of the patients (group A, N = 190) did not experience any muscular symptoms, their laboratory tests showed elevation of liver enzymes and lipids and a decrease in car levels in the blood whereas a remarkable increase of car excretion was determined in their urine.. Iso therapy decreases car blood levels in patients with CA. L-car supplementation might treat liver and muscular side effects of the drug. These hopeful preliminary results need further investigation.

Topics: Acne Vulgaris; Adult; Alanine Transaminase; Alkaline Phosphatase; Aspartate Aminotransferases; Carnitine; Case-Control Studies; Cholesterol; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Isotretinoin; Keratolytic Agents; Liver; Male; Muscle Weakness; Muscular Diseases; Pain; Placebos; Triglycerides

Although the efficacy of isotretinoin in the treatment of acne is unquestioned, improvement of patient tolerance and acceptance of the drug are desirable. Furthermore, no data on acne-induced scarring during isotretinoin treatment are available.. In the present study, we have evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of an initial stepwise incremental (n = 83) or an initial high dose (n = 11) and a subsequent medium maintenance dosing of isotretinoin in outpatients treated for acne over a 7 year period.. Ninety-four patients with moderate to severe acne were treated for a mean duration of 8.3 months, at a mean daily dose of 31.4 mg. Follow-up and final evaluation were done during outpatient visits and with a standardized patient questionnaire.. Response to treatment was very good in 62.8% and good in 31.9% of patients, with only one treatment failure. Of the patients, 21.3% required retreatment after a mean interval of 7.7 months. Four patients refused or dropped out from treatment, 27% noted initial mild worsening of their acne, and none experienced severe adverse effects. Scars were present in 89.4% of patients, with improvement occurring in 67.9% during treatment.. The altogether good to excellent clinical response of acne lesions and acne scars, with a low side effect profile, warrants further study of this simple, modified treatment regimen in patients with acne and acne-induced scarring.

Topics: Acne Vulgaris; Adolescent; Adult; Child; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Facial Dermatoses; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Isotretinoin; Keratolytic Agents; Lipids; Male; Middle Aged; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Pain; Patient Compliance; Patient Satisfaction; Recurrence; Skin; Treatment Outcome

Retinoids are under intensive study for the treatment and prevention of cancer. Substantial dose-related toxicities of retinoids are a major obstacle to this work. In a recent retrospective analysis of combined 13-cis-retinoic acid (13cRA) and alpha-tocopherol (AT) in myelodysplasia, 13cRA toxicity was reduced significantly and 13cRA activity was enhanced. These results suggested the need for prospective testing of this new combination. This trial tested the hypotheses that At can reduce toxicity of high-dose 13cRA and does not interfere with 13cRA absorption/activity as reflected by reduced 13cRA serum levels.. This was a phase I trial design in which patients received fixed-dose 13cRA (100 mg/m2/d) plus escalating-dose AT (beginning at 800 IU/d, increased 400 IU/d each month until 2000 IU/d). We collected toxicity data every four weeks from self-report forms, clinical examinations and laboratory studies. AT effects on 13cRA toxicity were determined by comparing maximum toxicity at lowest AT dose with that at highest AT dose. We also measured serum levels of both agents every four weeks.. Of the 45 patients registered, 36 had cancer (active or prior history), 9 had premalignant lesions. Thirty-nine patients could be evaluated for initial-course toxicity; 31 for final course toxicity. Median time on treatment (all patients) was four months (range, 1-9 months); a total of 223 month-long courses of treatment were given. Eighteen percent of patients (7/39) developed grade 3 or 4 toxicity in the initial course. The rates of increase and decrease in 13cRA toxicity associated with increasing AT doses were similar: 36% decreased (11/31), 32% increased (10/31) (P = 0.84). At did not reduce 13cRA serum levels. After initial increases of mean AT plasma levels (17.9 micrograms/ ml at baseline to 45.4 micrograms/ml after first four-week course), subsequent AT plasma increases (< 2-fold) did not keep pace with increased AT doses (2-3-fold). No major activity occurred in the 21 patients with active refractory cancer. The complete response rate in patients with premalignant head-and-neck or lung lesions was 77.8% (7/9), which included two patients previously refractory to 13cRA alone.. Although escalating doses of AT did not reduce 13cRA toxicity, the rate of initial-course (including 800 IU/d of AT) high-grade toxicity was substantially lower than that typical of high-dose 13cRA-alone and similar to that typical of low-dose 13cRA-alone. Indeed, a trial of 13cRA-alone followed by 13cRA plus AT may have detected a significant toxicity difference. We did not design such a trial out of ethical concern for known side effects of high-dose 13cRA. The increase in AT serum levels was not proportional with increasing doses of AT, which may explain the lack of a dose-response effect of AT on 13cRA toxicity. Previous trials have established that 13cRA has an approximate 10% complete response rate in oral premalignancy. Our small trial's 77.8% complete response rate in premalignant lesions suggests that AT may enhance 13cRA clinical activity. Future trials of 13cRA plus AT are needed to define this combinations toxicity profile, clinical activity and pharmacokinetics.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Alanine Transaminase; Alkaline Phosphatase; Anticarcinogenic Agents; Antineoplastic Agents; Biomarkers; Cheilitis; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury; Conjunctivitis; Drug Eruptions; Female; Humans; Hypertriglyceridemia; Isotretinoin; Leukoplakia, Oral; Lung Diseases; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasms; Pain; Precancerous Conditions; Treatment Outcome; Vitamin E

Muscle-related complaints and high creatine phosphokinase (CPK) blood levels have been reported in 15-50% of patients with acne treated with isotretinoin. Clinical investigations about CPK levels in isotretinoin therapy were few, and most of them were case reports. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence, course, and clinical significance of severe hyperphosphokinasemia in isotretinoin therapy for acne.. A total of 89 patients were treated with isotretinoin for moderate or severe acne at our dermatology department. At the initial visit and during the monthly follow-up visits, hemoglobin, hematocrit, leukocytes, thrombocyte, renal function tests (urea and creatinine), direct and indirect bilirubin, liver enzymes [serum glutamate oxaloacetate (SGOT), serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), gamma glutamil transpeptidase (GGT), and alkaline phosphotase (ALP)], lipid profile [total cholesterol, very low density lipoproteins (VLDL), low density lipoproteins (LDL), high density lipoproteins (HDL), and triglycerides], urine analysis, and CPK were requested. We asked all patients about muscle-related complaints, weakness, exercise, and compared CPK levels.. Elevated CPK levels were recorded in only five patients during treatment period. Maximum serum CPK values recorded for each patient ranged between 292 and 569 IU/l. Only one patient out of five had myalgia and four patients were completely asymptomatic.. In conclusion, marked hyperCPKemia with or without muscle-related complaints in isotretinoin-treated patients with acne is a benign phenomenon; therefore, it is logical to reserve measurement of CPK levels as well as renal tests for cases with severe muscle pain.

Topics: Acne Vulgaris; Adolescent; Adult; Creatine Kinase; Dermatologic Agents; Exercise; Female; Humans; Isotretinoin; Male; Muscular Diseases; Pain

Topics: Acne Vulgaris; Adolescent; Disease Progression; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Administration Schedule; Drug Eruptions; Family Practice; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Isotretinoin; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Pain; Prednisone; Risk Assessment; Severity of Illness Index; Skin Diseases, Vesiculobullous; Treatment Outcome

The effect of isotretinoin on muscle is considered to be uncommon and benign. We analyzed the files of all our patients given isotretinoin over a 5-year period and determined the incidence and gravity of its effect on muscles.. Sixty treatments with isotretinoin were studied. Myalgia and elevated CPK observed at the pretherapeutic consultation and each month or 2 months thereafter were recorded.. Muscle symptoms were noted in 60 p. 100 of the cases: myalgia in 51 p. 100 and elevated CPK in 41 p. 100. In this group, male sex (H/F = 2.6) and sports activities (70 p. 100) were found more often. In 5 patients, CPK level was 5 times the normal, defining rhabdomyolysis. One patient interrupted treatment because of persistently high CPK levels.. Myalgia and elevated CPK signal skeletal muscle involvement. These signs were more frequent in our series than in reports in the literature, probably because we systematically looked for them. Besides use of isotretinoin, one case of viral infection and sports activities, no other explanatory cause could be found. Isotretinoin could have a potentializing effect on other myotoxicity inducers (drugs, infection, fever, muscular exertion...). The benign nature of the muscle effect appears to be validated although there were some patients who had persistent and/or severe signs.

Topics: Acne Vulgaris; Adolescent; Adult; Creatine Kinase; Drug Monitoring; Female; Humans; Incidence; Isotretinoin; Keratolytic Agents; Male; Muscular Diseases; Pain; Prospective Studies; Rhabdomyolysis; Sex Factors; Sports

Topics: Acne Vulgaris; Acute Disease; Adult; Fatigue; Female; Humans; Isotretinoin; Keratolytic Agents; Male; Muscle Weakness; Muscular Diseases; Pain

Acne fulminans is an ulcerative form of acne with an acute onset and systemic symptoms. It most commonly affects adolescent boys.. Clinical and laboratory findings and treatment results of patients with acne fulminans were reviewed to obtain a better understanding of the clinical course and outcome of the disease.. Data of patients with severe acne were collected from the Dermatology Departments of Finnish hospitals during the years 1970 to 1991.. Twenty-four patients with acne fulminans are described. All patients had ulcerative acne with acute onset. In 22 patients acne was associated with high fever for at least 1 week. All patients had musculoskeletal pain. Increased uptake in bone scan or radiographic findings compatible with an infectious origin were detected in 17 patients. Eight patients were treated with antibiotics alone, but the response was poor; three patients had a relapse of musculoskeletal symptoms. Ten patients were given systemic steroids in addition to antibiotics. In this group the response was rapid, but acne and musculoskeletal symptoms tended to relapse when the steroid dosage was reduced. Four patients were treated with a combination of antibiotics, systemic steroids, and isotretinoin; all responded well, but one of these patients also had a relapse.. Musculoskeletal symptoms are common in patients with acne fulminans. Systemic steroid treatment rapidly controls the skin lesions and systemic symptoms. The duration of steroid treatment should be 2 to 4 months to avoid relapses. Therapy with isotretinoin, antibiotics, or both was often combined with steroids, but the role of these agents is still uncertain.

Topics: Acne Vulgaris; Adolescent; Adult; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Blood Sedimentation; Dermatitis, Atopic; Female; Fever; Glucocorticoids; Humans; Isotretinoin; Joints; Leukocytosis; Male; Muscles; Osteolysis; Pain; Retrospective Studies; Tetracycline; Ulcer

Topics: Adult; Drug Administration Schedule; Female; Headache; Humans; Isotretinoin; Male; Menstruation Disturbances; Middle Aged; Neoplasms; Pain; Risk; Tretinoin

Topics: Acne Vulgaris; Adolescent; Humans; Isotretinoin; Male; Muscle Spasticity; Muscles; Pain; Recurrence; Tretinoin