PREVENTION OF CUTANEOUS SIDE EFFECTS OF TOPICAL TRETINOIN: USE OF ORAL VITAMINE E
Abstract
Introduction: Acne vulgaris is an inflammatory disease of pilosebaceous folicles. Tretinoin is used as one of the topical treatments for acne vulgaris. It has different cutaneous side effects such as erythema, scaling, irritation and photosensitivity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of oral Vitamine E in preventing the cutaneous side effects of topical tretinoin in acne patients.
Methods: A clinical trial was performed in AI-Zahra Hospital in Isfahan for six months in 2000. 80 patients with mild to moderate facial acne were randomized into 2 groups. Group 1 (controls) received topical solution of tretinoin 0.05 percent nightly and group 2 (cases) received daily oral 100mg of Vit. E in addition. All patients were followed at 1, 4 and 6 weeks after initiation of treatment. Children under 12 years old, pregnant or lactating women were excluded.
Results: At the end of one week, no cutaneous side effects were observed in 25 percent (10) of group 1 and 15 percent (6) of group 2 (P > 0.05). At the end of 4 weeks, 25 percent (10) of group 1 and 60 percent (24) of group 2 were without any cutaneous complications, while at the end of 6 weeks, 35 percent (14) of group 1 in comparison to 75 percent (30) of group 2 were free of any cutaneous side effects (P < 0.05). The most common side effect in both groups was exfoliation.
Discussion: Daily oral 100 mg of Vit. E has been effective in preventing cutaneous complications of topical tretinoin in acne management, but there is a delay of one week in its onset of action. Meanwhile, Vitamine E is a safe modality with no undesirable effects in acne patients.
Methods: A clinical trial was performed in AI-Zahra Hospital in Isfahan for six months in 2000. 80 patients with mild to moderate facial acne were randomized into 2 groups. Group 1 (controls) received topical solution of tretinoin 0.05 percent nightly and group 2 (cases) received daily oral 100mg of Vit. E in addition. All patients were followed at 1, 4 and 6 weeks after initiation of treatment. Children under 12 years old, pregnant or lactating women were excluded.
Results: At the end of one week, no cutaneous side effects were observed in 25 percent (10) of group 1 and 15 percent (6) of group 2 (P > 0.05). At the end of 4 weeks, 25 percent (10) of group 1 and 60 percent (24) of group 2 were without any cutaneous complications, while at the end of 6 weeks, 35 percent (14) of group 1 in comparison to 75 percent (30) of group 2 were free of any cutaneous side effects (P < 0.05). The most common side effect in both groups was exfoliation.
Discussion: Daily oral 100 mg of Vit. E has been effective in preventing cutaneous complications of topical tretinoin in acne management, but there is a delay of one week in its onset of action. Meanwhile, Vitamine E is a safe modality with no undesirable effects in acne patients.
Keywords
Vitamine E, Tretinoin, Acne Vulgaris, Drug Side Effect