title: Very low-dose isotretinoin in mild to moderate papulopustular rosacea; a retrospective review of 52 patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory disorder that affects up to 10% of the population. Standard treatments include topical azelaic acid and metronidazole or systemic tetracyclines. Isotretinoin has generally been restricted to severe disease, often at a dose of 0.5-1.0 mg/kg/day.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective review of open-label isotretinoin (initial dose 20 mg/day, with dose adjustments according to response), in patients with mild to moderate papulopustular rosacea.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Altogether 52 patients (33 women), mean age 48 years (range 18-86) were treated with isotretinoin over a 5-year period. All patients were commenced on 20-mg isotretinoin/day which was reduced to 10-20 mg once to five times a week (equivalent to 5 mg/day) in 67%, but increased in 15% (who all had additional acne) to 30-40 mg/day. In terms of dose/kg/day, 29% received ≤ 0.1 mg/kg/day, 46% received 0.11-0.25 mg/kg/day and 10% received > 0.5 mg/kg/day. Treatment was continued for 57 weeks (range 9-223). Six patients (12%) did not attend follow up. Of the remainder, in 91% (42/46) the rosacea had cleared or was excellent. One patient stopped isotretinoin because of its adverse effects. Two-fifths (44%) suffered no adverse effect. The most common side-effect was cheilitis in half (52%), which was mild in all but one patient.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Very low-dose isotretinoin (e.g., 10-20 mg once to five times a week, equivalent to 5 mg/day) is an effective treatment for mild to moderate papulopustular rosacea and is well tolerated.
authors.affiliation: Waikato Clinical Campus, Auckland School of Medicine, Auckland, New Zealand.|Department of Dermatology, Waikato Hospital, Hamilton, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Marius
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3393-6748
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rademaker
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002613:Cheilitis / Q000139:chemically induced; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015474:Isotretinoin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012393:Rosacea / Q000188:drug therapy*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D015474:Isotretinoin
keywords: acne vulgaris; isotretinoin; low-dose; rosacea