Does isotretinoin therapy have any effects on electrocardiography, heart rate and blood pressure?
BACKGROUND
Isotretinoin therapy is associated with numerous adverse effects of various systems. Although some cases have been reported, cardiac side effects are rare following isotretinoin treatment.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of isotretinoin on the cardiovascular system.


METHODS
Seventy patients with acne vulgaris were enrolled in the study. The patients were treated with a dose of 0.5-1.0 mg/kg per day of isotretinoin. Screening for biochemical and hematologic parameters, heart rate, blood pressure and electrocardiographic parameters were done before treatment and after 3 months of isotretinoin treatment.


RESULTS
Heart rate, systolic/diastolic tension and electrocardiographic parameters (P-wave duration and QTc duration) were not statistically different before compared with after treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
As far as we know, there is no study researching the effect of isotretinoin on P- and QT-wave measurements in the literature. We found that isotretinoin did not affect P- and QT-wave measurement. Further studies with longer periods of follow-up are needed to understand the effect of isotretinoin on the cardiovascular system.
Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Yuzuncu yil University, Van, Turkey. drayserem@yahoo.com
Ayse Serap
AS
Karadag
Hasan Ali
HA
Gumrukcuoglu
Serap
S
Gunes Bilgili
Hatice Uce
HU
Ozkol
Derun Taner
DT
Ertugrul
Hakki
H
Simsek
Musa
M
Sahin
Omer
O
Calka
D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D001795:Blood Pressure Determination / Q000379:methods; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000187:drug effects; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D015474:Isotretinoin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D055815:Young Adult
D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D015474:Isotretinoin