SYSTEMIC THERAPY OF ACNE WITH ISOTRETINOI N - CURRENT STATUS

Introduced in 1979, isotretinoin remains a major advance in acne thera py, Both hospital- and community-based dermatologists have experience with this valuable drug, which, owing to its causal principle of actio n, offers a large proportion of patients the prospect of a cure, Isotr etinoin is now in use in more than 80 countries and has been prescribe d for some six million patients, Based on accumulated clinical finding s with the drug, more comprehensive recommendations can now be made wi th respect to indications, dosing and duration of treatment than was p ossible when the drug was launched. Experience with the drug also prov ides a basis for reevaluating its safety profile. Finally, at a time w hen healthcare resources are limited, it is important to examine the c ost-benefit ratio of this acne treatment versus other options, This pa per is accordingly intended to provide a critical status report as wel l as a detailed and balanced set of recommendations for clinical pract ice.