A randomized, open-label, comparative study of efficacy of low-dose continuous versus low-dose intermittent oral isotretinoin therapy in moderate-to-severe acne vulgaris

Santoshkumar A Shetti; Nagesh HN; Nagabushan Hanumantharaya

doi:10.5455/njppp.2017.7.0305804052017

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Original Research
Online Published: 22 May 2017

Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol. 2017; 7(9): 941-946

doi: 10.5455/njppp.2017.7.0305804052017

A randomized, open-label, comparative study of efficacy of low-dose continuous versus low-dose intermittent oral isotretinoin therapy in moderate-to-severe acne vulgaris

Santoshkumar A Shetti, Nagesh Hn, Nagabushan Hanumantharaya.

Cited By:13

Abstract
Background: Acne vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory disease of pilosebaceous units. Oral isotretinoin is recommended for patients with moderate-to-severe acne vulgaris who are not responding satisfactorily to conventional therapies. Recent reports indicate that acne patients have been benefiting from the low-dose treatment protocols.

Aims and Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess and compare the efficacy of oral isotretinoin in low-dose continuous and intermittent treatment of moderate-to-severe acne vulgaris.

Materials and Methods: This was a prospective, randomized, open-labeled, comparative, efficacy study carried out at Outpatient Clinic in the Department of Dermatology in Mandya Institute of Medical Sciences, Mandya. Out of 120 patients screened, 100 patients were selected. Patients with moderate-to-severe acne were assigned equally (50 patients each) to one of the two treatment regimens using block randomization technique, Group A was given low dose continuous regimen - 20 mg of oral isotretinoin once daily for 4 months and Group B was given low-dose intermittent regimen - 20 mg of oral isotretinoin once daily for 1 week out of every 4 weeks. The patients were followed up every 4th week during the treatment period. A 6-month follow-up evaluation after the end of treatment was performed. The outcome of the therapy was based on the improvement in the global acne grading system (GAGS) score and patients satisfaction with the treatment in the 4-point scale.

Results: This study showed statistically significant clinical improvement and difference in GAGS score between Group A and Group B (P < 0.005).

Conclusion: This study suggests that, considering clinical efficacy, low-dose continuous treatment is most suitable for patients with moderate-to-severe acne vulgaris.

Key words: Acne Vulgaris; Oral Isotretinoin; Global Acne Grading System Score; Conventional Therapy

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Pubmed Style

Shetti SA, Hn N, Hanumantharaya N. A randomized, open-label, comparative study of efficacy of low-dose continuous versus low-dose intermittent oral isotretinoin therapy in moderate-to-severe acne vulgaris. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol. 2017; 7(9): 941-946. doi:10.5455/njppp.2017.7.0305804052017

Web Style

Shetti SA, Hn N, Hanumantharaya N. A randomized, open-label, comparative study of efficacy of low-dose continuous versus low-dose intermittent oral isotretinoin therapy in moderate-to-severe acne vulgaris. https://www.njppp.com/?mno=260337 [Access: November 01, 2025]. doi:10.5455/njppp.2017.7.0305804052017

AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Shetti SA, Hn N, Hanumantharaya N. A randomized, open-label, comparative study of efficacy of low-dose continuous versus low-dose intermittent oral isotretinoin therapy in moderate-to-severe acne vulgaris. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol. 2017; 7(9): 941-946. doi:10.5455/njppp.2017.7.0305804052017

Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Shetti SA, Hn N, Hanumantharaya N. A randomized, open-label, comparative study of efficacy of low-dose continuous versus low-dose intermittent oral isotretinoin therapy in moderate-to-severe acne vulgaris. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol. (2017), [cited November 01, 2025]; 7(9): 941-946. doi:10.5455/njppp.2017.7.0305804052017

Harvard Style

Shetti, S. A., Hn, . N. & Hanumantharaya, . N. (2017) A randomized, open-label, comparative study of efficacy of low-dose continuous versus low-dose intermittent oral isotretinoin therapy in moderate-to-severe acne vulgaris. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol, 7 (9), 941-946. doi:10.5455/njppp.2017.7.0305804052017

Turabian Style

Shetti, Santoshkumar A, Nagesh Hn, and Nagabushan Hanumantharaya. 2017. A randomized, open-label, comparative study of efficacy of low-dose continuous versus low-dose intermittent oral isotretinoin therapy in moderate-to-severe acne vulgaris. National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 7 (9), 941-946. doi:10.5455/njppp.2017.7.0305804052017

Chicago Style

Shetti, Santoshkumar A, Nagesh Hn, and Nagabushan Hanumantharaya. "A randomized, open-label, comparative study of efficacy of low-dose continuous versus low-dose intermittent oral isotretinoin therapy in moderate-to-severe acne vulgaris." National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology 7 (2017), 941-946. doi:10.5455/njppp.2017.7.0305804052017

MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Shetti, Santoshkumar A, Nagesh Hn, and Nagabushan Hanumantharaya. "A randomized, open-label, comparative study of efficacy of low-dose continuous versus low-dose intermittent oral isotretinoin therapy in moderate-to-severe acne vulgaris." National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology 7.9 (2017), 941-946. Print. doi:10.5455/njppp.2017.7.0305804052017

APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Shetti, S. A., Hn, . N. & Hanumantharaya, . N. (2017) A randomized, open-label, comparative study of efficacy of low-dose continuous versus low-dose intermittent oral isotretinoin therapy in moderate-to-severe acne vulgaris. National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 7 (9), 941-946. doi:10.5455/njppp.2017.7.0305804052017

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