Severe generalised rhabdomyolysis with fatal outcome associated with isotretinoin.
Isotretinoin is considered to be a safe and effective therapy in otherwise therapy-resistant acne. Elevated serum creatine phosphokinase values with or without muscle-related symptoms in isotretinoin-treated patients have been reported and interpreted as benign phenomena, lethal cases have not been described yet. We present the case of a 20-year-old male who died from severe generalised rhabdomyolysis associated with isotretinoin treatment.
University Hospital Duesseldorf, Duesseldorf, Germany. benno.hartung@med.uni-duesseldorf.de
Benno
B
Hartung
Hans F
HF
Merk
Wolfgang
W
Huckenbeck
Thomas
T
Daldrup
Eva
E
Neuen-Jacob
Stefanie
S
Ritz-Timme
D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000287:Administration, Topical; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D057915:Drug Substitution; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D015474:Isotretinoin / Q000633:toxicity*; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000473:pathology; D009336:Necrosis; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000502:physiology; D011654:Pulmonary Edema / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology; D012206:Rhabdomyolysis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology*; D014693:Ventricular Fibrillation / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology; D055815:Young Adult
D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D015474:Isotretinoin