title: Standardized laboratory monitoring with use of isotretinoin in acne.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Laboratory monitoring for adverse effects to isotretinoin occurs with variability. Standardization of laboratory monitoring practices represents an opportunity to improve quality of care.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We sought to develop an evidence-based approach to laboratory monitoring of patients receiving isotretinoin therapy for acne.
  
  
  METHODS
  We reviewed laboratory data from 515 patients with acne undergoing 574 courses of isotretinoin from March 2003 to July 2011. Frequency, timing, and severity of abnormalities were determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Clinically insignificant leukopenia or thrombocytopenia occurred in 1.4% and 0.9% of patients, respectively. Elevated liver transaminases were detected infrequently and not significantly increased compared with baseline detection rates (1.9% vs 1.6% at baseline). Significant elevations occurred with triglyceride (19.3%) and cholesterol (22.8%) levels. The most severe abnormalities were grade 2 (moderate). Mean duration of treatment before abnormalities were detected was 56.3 days for hypertriglyceridemia, 61.9 days for alanine transaminitis, and 50.1 days for hypercholesterolemia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This was a single-center experience examining variable isotretinoin laboratory monitoring practices.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In healthy patients with normal baseline lipid panel and liver function test results, repeated studies should be performed after 2 months of isotretinoin therapy. If findings are normal, no further testing may be required. Routine complete blood cell count monitoring is not recommended.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Pennsylvania State/Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Timothy J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Hansen
authors.affiliation: Pennsylvania State College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: SaraMarian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lucking
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Pennsylvania State/Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Jeffrey J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Pennsylvania State/Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Joslyn S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Kirby
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Pennsylvania State/Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Diane M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Thiboutot
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Pennsylvania State/Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania; Department of Pediatrics, Pennsylvania State/Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania. Electronic address: azaenglein@hmc.psu.edu.
authors.forename: Andrea L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Zaenglein
mesh_terms: D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000139:chemically induced; D015228:Hypertriglyceridemia / Q000139:chemically induced; D015474:Isotretinoin / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007970:Leukopenia / Q000139:chemically induced; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000139:chemically induced; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; D015474:Isotretinoin
keywords: acne; hypercholesterolemia; hypertriglyceridemia; isotretinoin; laboratory monitoring; leukopenia; thrombocytopenia; transaminitis