Isotretinoin therapy: any need for laboratory assessment?
BACKGROUND
Recently studies showed the no need for laboratory follow up of patients on isotretinoin therapy. The aim of this study is to assess this issue.


METHODS
A retrospective study on-400 patients was performed to analyze the laboratory data before and after isotretinoin therapy of acne vulgaris patients. All patients received isotretinoin at a dose of 1mg/kg for 20 weeks.


RESULTS
AST was elevated in 25/400(6.25 %), ALT was elevated in 10/400(2.5 %). Cholesterol was elevated in 55/400(13.75%). Triglycerides were elevated in 20/400(5 %).


CONCLUSIONS
This study supports the previous evidence for the no need for performing laboratory investigations for patients on isotretinoin therapy.
Tallab
T
T
Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Ablia, Saudi Arabia. tm151@hotmail.com
Joharji
H
H
Jazei
M
M
Bahamdan
K
K
Ibrahim
K
K
Karkashan
E
E
D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood*; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D016903:Drug Monitoring; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015474:Isotretinoin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood*
D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; D015474:Isotretinoin