Isotretinoina: Possível Interferência na Cicatrização Pós-Exodontia

Abstract

Pharmacovigilance is defined as “the science and activities related to identification, evaluation, understanding and prevention of adverse effects or problems related to the use of drugs”. All drugs have both the potential to cause harm and benefit. 13-cis-Retinoic acid or isotretinoin is a reference anti-acne retinoid in the dermatological diseases treatment not responsive to conventional therapies, such as severe cystic acne. The drug-related side effects described in the medicine package insert imply changes in various human body systems. Those related to bone tissue, such as ligaments and tendons calcification, bone density reduction, epiphyseal closure and hypercalcemia, have great relevance for dentistry, raising the hypothesis of a possible interference in alveoli wound healing after extraction. This article aimed to conduct a literature review in gathering information about the possibility of isotretinoin interference in maxillofacial surgeries. In despite of the scarcity of conclusive scientific data about the influence of isotretinoin on human alveolar wound healing, recent studies on retinoid signaling pathways open new research perspectives for the isotretinoin interference on alveolar bone tissue. This possibility reinforces the importance of an isotretinoin drug-related side effects update, as well as a patients’ careful anamnesis with historical severe acne, in order to avoid complications.