Iatreia · Published 2026-01-01 · DOI 10.17533/udea.iatreia.358
Introduction: Isotretinoin is a potent retinoid agent with significant therapeutic potential for the management of acne vulgaris; however, its side effects limit its application. Objective: To describe the most relevant adverse effects of isotretinoin as part of the management of acne vulgaris, especially those that generate controversy among researchers. Methods: A literature review was conducted in English and Spanish for articles published between 2019 and 2025 in ScienceDirect, PubMed, SciELO, and Elsevier databases. After removing duplicate entries and irrelevant information, 35 articles were included in this analysis. Results: Isotretinoin can cause teratogenicity, inflammatory bowel disease, mucocutaneous, ocular, and musculoskeletal reactions, alterations in blood tests and, occasionally, fulminant acne as significant side effects. Neuropsychiatric adverse effects related to isotretinoin are inconclusive. Conclusions: To optimize the therapeutic use of isotretinoin, it is necessary to identify the conditions that contribute to the appearance of these adverse reactions, as well as their severity and management, to improve the patient's experience during treatment.
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