The experience of using Acnecutane in clinical practice

Introduction. Systemic isotretinoin is recommended for the treatment of moderate to severe acne [13]. Since 2010, isotretinoin, produced using Lidose technology of 8 mg and 16 mg under the trade name Acnecutane, has been actively used in practice. A special technology of modified Lidose release has increased the digestibility of isotretinoin in the digestive tract, increasing its bioavailability by 20%. This made it possible to reduce the dose of isotretinoin taken by patients by 20% without compromising therapeutic effectiveness.

The purpose of the observation was to analyze the results of the clinical use of Acnecutane in the treatment of moderate and severe forms of acne.

Materials and methods. The study is retrospective, uncontrolled, single-center. We analyzed 2,477 cases of Acnecutane administration to patients with severe and moderate acne (2021-2024): 1,912 (77.2%) women, 565 (22.8%) men, average age 22.7 years. 290 (11.7%) people had concomitant diseases. The daily therapeutic dose was calculated based on the range of 0.4-0.8 mg/kg of body weight, and the course dose of the drug was 100-150 mg/kg. Before starting treatment, all patients underwent the necessary examination (clinical, biochemical blood tests). The studies were conducted before the start, 3 months after the start and at the end of treatment. Patients are recommended to use at least one, preferably two, effective methods of contraception, including the barrier method, for one month before starting treatment with systemic isotretinoin, during the entire course of treatment and for a month after its end.

Results. Clinical remission was achieved in all patients after 6-12 months. By the end of therapy, greasiness of the skin and comedones disappeared, inflammatory elements were completely resolved, and the relief was leveled. Among the adverse events, cheilitis and xerosis were most often noted by the end of the 2nd-3rd week, which were successfully treated using moisturizers and lip sticks. By the end of the course, there were no such complaints.

3.4% had a transient increase in transaminases and total cholesterol (no more than 10% of the norm). After the end of treatment, the indicators returned to normal.

Conclusion. The appointment of systemic isotretinoin in the treatment of severe and moderate acne makes it possible to achieve long-term clinical remission, which in turn has a positive effect in the prevention of traumatic acne-related conditions in patients. The use of innovative Lidose technology in Acnecutane makes it possible to reduce the standard dose (daily and cumulative) relative to the original drug by 20%, increases the ability to positively influence the correction of undesirable dose-dependent phenomena without compromising effectiveness. A retrospective analysis of the results of the use of Acnecutane in clinical practice confirms its high efficacy in the treatment of moderate and severe forms of acne, as well as its good tolerability.