Isotretinoin: is there any arrhythmic effect?

Background Oral isotretinoin is currently the most effective therapy for acne, but is associated with numerous adverse effects. To investigate the cardiac effects of isotretinoin, acne patients receiving isotretinoin for 6 months were studied. Methods Twenty-six patients with acne vulgaris were enrolled in the study. The patients were treated with a dose of 0.8 mg/kg/day of isotretinoin (Roaccutane, Hoffman-La Roche, Basle, Switzerland) for 6 months. All participants were assessed pretreatment and at the third month of therapy with 24-h Holter monitoring of electrocardiography. Results Twenty-two patients completed the study (19 females and three males). Initial 24-h Holter monitoring showed normal sinus rhythm in all patients, with a mean heart rate of 79 beats/min (lowest, 63 beats/min; highest, 97 beats/min). At the third month of therapy, 24-h Holter monitoring showed normal sinus rhythm in all patients, with a mean heart rate of 81 beats/min (lowest, 67 beats/min; highest, 91 beats/min). All patients were in sinus rhythm throughout the recording period. None of the patients had supraventricular tachycardia or atrial arrhythmia. Conclusion In this study, 6 months of isotretinoin therapy significantly improved acne and did not cause any cardiac adverse effects at a dose of 0.8 mg/kg/day.