Isotretinoin and risk of inflammatory bowel disease: More data to support lack of meaningful risk

Abstract

For patients with moderate to severe acne, those with scarring acne, or those who do not respond to other treatments, isotretinoin can be an effective medication that often results in a durable remission of disease activity. However, isotretinoin use is associated with several potential adverse effects, most notably teratogenicity in the setting of fetal exposure. 1 Barbieri J.S. Spaccarelli N. Margolis D.J. James W.D. Approaches to limit systemic antibiotic use in acne: systemic alternatives, emerging topical therapies, dietary modification, and laser and light-based treatments. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2019; 80: 538-549 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (49) Google Scholar Although a few early reports suggested a potential association between isotretinoin exposure and the development of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), subsequent studies, including a 2016 meta-analysis, have not confirmed this association. 2 Lee S.Y. Jamal M.M. Nguyen E.T. Bechtold M.L. Nguyen D.L. Does exposure to isotretinoin increase the risk for the development of inflammatory bowel disease? A meta-analysis. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2016; 28: 210-216 Crossref PubMed Scopus (36) Google Scholar Risk of new-onset inflammatory bowel disease among patients with acne vulgaris exposed to isotretinoinJournal of the American Academy of DermatologyVol. 84Issue 1PreviewData on the risk of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) among isotretinoin-exposed patients with acne vulgaris (AV) is controversial. Full-Text PDF