Oral isotretinoin versus acitretin in male patients with multiple recalcitrant common warts: A randomized, double-blinded placebo-control study.

Abstract

Management of multiple recalcitrant common warts represents a therapeutic challenge. Both oral isotretinoin and acitretin have shown a promising efficacy in the treatment of various types of warts. However, a comparative study of the two medicines in wart treatment has not yet been conducted. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and adverse effects of oral isotretinoin versus acitretin in the treatment of multiple recalcitrant common warts. This study was conducted on 75 adult male patients with recalcitrant multiple common warts. The patients were randomly assigned to three groups: group 1 (30 patients) received oral isotretinoin, group 2 (30 patients) received acitretin, and group 3 received oral placebo (15 patients). The treatment was given daily until complete clearance or for a maximum of 3months. Complete clearance of the treated lesions was observed in 18 patients (60%) of the isotretinoin group, in 22 patients (73.3%) of the acitretin group, and in 0 patients (0%) of the placebo group. A statistically significant difference was observed in the therapeutic response between the treatment groups, and the placebo group was observed. Adverse effects of the used drugs were mild and transient. Oral isotretinoin and acitretin are promising effective modalities with minimal side effects for the treatment male patients with multiple recalcitrant common warts with a relative superiority of acitretin.