Does isotretinoin therapy have any effects on electrocardiography, heart rate and blood pressure?

BACKGROUND

Isotretinoin therapy is associated with numerous adverse effects of various systems. Although some cases have been reported, cardiac side effects are rare following isotretinoin treatment.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of isotretinoin on the cardiovascular system.

METHODS

Seventy patients with acne vulgaris were enrolled in the study. The patients were treated with a dose of 0.5-1.0 mg/kg per day of isotretinoin. Screening for biochemical and hematologic parameters, heart rate, blood pressure and electrocardiographic parameters were done before treatment and after 3 months of isotretinoin treatment.

RESULTS

Heart rate, systolic/diastolic tension and electrocardiographic parameters (P-wave duration and QTc duration) were not statistically different before compared with after treatment.

CONCLUSION

As far as we know, there is no study researching the effect of isotretinoin on P- and QT-wave measurements in the literature. We found that isotretinoin did not affect P- and QT-wave measurement. Further studies with longer periods of follow-up are needed to understand the effect of isotretinoin on the cardiovascular system.