30 år med isotretinoin. "Mirakelmedicin" mot akne med många biverkningar
Sammanfattning
Oral isotretinoin is indispensable for the treatment of recalcitrant, severe acne.
It is teratogenic in women, and effective pregnancy prevention is essential. Still isotretinoin-exposed pregnancies occur occasionally. Studies in European countries indicate that changes occur over time in the prescription routine, including pre-treatment pregnancy testing and patient instruction.
Inflammatory bowel disease has been associated with isotretinoin treatment, but causality has not been shown. It is possible that there is a rare, individual idiosyncratic adverse response to the drug.
Mood changes, depression and suicide are not uncommon in the ages of most isotretinoin patients and have been reported during treatment. They can be caused by severe acne. Depression caused by the drug seems to be rare and may also be an idiosyncratic hypersensitivity to isotretinoin.
Isotretinoin is unfortunately available over the internet, i.e. there is an uncontrolled use.