Advice on the safe introduction and continued use of isotretinoin in acne in the U.K. 2010

Abstract

Since its introduction into clinical trials in the mid 1970s, and its widespread use since the early 1980s, isotretinoin has proved a very effective therapy for severe and persistent acne.1 The current Product Licence indications for the use of isotretinoin are severe forms of acne (such as nodular or conglobate acne or acne at risk of permanent scarring) resistant to adequate courses of standard therapy with systemic antibacterials and topical therapy. The profile of side-effects has been well described, and the need for appropriate care in its use, particularly in women at risk of pregnancy, is well understood.2 The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has adopted the recommendations of the European Medicines Control Agency with regard to prescribing isotretinoin for women, with the introduction of the Pregnancy Prevention Programme (PPP). The availability of generic isotretinoin has also resulted in a standardization of the Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) across all suppliers, with resulting changes to advice for in-treatment monitoring and to the limitations of prescribing only by hospitals that had previously existed. Other recent concerns over the potential development of mood change, particularly depression,3, 4 have led to further evaluation both of the use of isotretinoin and of the necessary pretreatment evaluation and further monitoring. As used in this document, the term ‘mood change’ (unless otherwise specified) implies depression, psychosis, suicidal ideation, or other deleterious effect on mood or sleep. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has expressed its opinion on the use of isotretinoin,5 and updated that view recently.6 A PPP (initially SMART, now iPLEDGE) has been implemented; compulsory registration of all patients taking isotretinoin has been introduced in the U.S.A. and is now being evaluated. The current document expresses the view of the British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) on these issues based on current knowledge. It does not discuss the indications for use of isotretinoin or the dosage and duration of treatment. Most of the potential adverse effects of isotretinoin are well documented,1-4 have been reviewed7 and are discussed in the manufacturers’ product documentation. The drug is contraindicated in patients with hypervitaminosis A, uncontrolled hyperlipidaemia, and during pregnancy or lactation. Isotretinoin is contraindicated in hepatic insufficiency and should be used with caution in patients with renal disease and diabetes. Isotretinoin is contraindicated in airline pilots and should be used with caution after counselling in patients who depend on good night vision for their employment such as coach and taxi drivers. The dose should be reduced and titrated in patients with severe renal insufficiency. Some brands contain peanut oil and are contraindicated in patients with peanut allergy. Most adverse events are dose related and predictable in terms of the known pharmacological and physiological effects of the drug. A full and up-to-date summary of adverse events is provided in the SPC, available at http://emc.medicines.org.uk/. These include: Variable dryness of skin and mucous membranes including nose, eyes and lips. These symptoms are dose related, and may lead to active inflammation, e.g. cheilitis. Facial erythema, eczema, hair loss, photosensitivity, skin fragility, paronychia and pyogenic granuloma. Myalgia and arthralgia. Photophobia, impaired night vision, keratitis: in one study three of 50 patients had impaired night vision which can be persistent after stopping therapy. Pilots should not take isotretinoin and if exposed can return to flying only after a satisfactory eye examination. Drivers affected should declare this to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency and should not drive in conditions of illumination likely to affect safe driving.8 Nausea, colitis, pancreatitis (in those with hypertriglyceridaemia). Abnormalities of liver function including hepatitis. Elevation of triglyceride and cholesterol levels: these were thought to be rare, but a recent paper indicated relatively high levels of detection of abnormalities, although with little clinical relevance.9 There are also data suggesting that routine screening tests during treatment are not worthwhile,10, 11 although they are still recommended by the manufacturers. There are also recent data indicating that the development of hyperlipidaemia during treatment may be a marker for the development of significant hyperlipidaemia in later life.12 Full blood count, liver function tests and fasting lipids should therefore be measured before treatment and 4–6 weeks after the onset of treatment. If continuing therapy, then repeat tests every 3 months (reduce dose or discontinue if transaminase or serum lipids persistently raised). Bacterial overgrowth, particularly by Staphylococcus aureus. Cutaneous vasculitis. Acne flare. Benign intracranial hypertension. While these side-effects are generally mild and reversible, occasional severe reactions occur. A full and appropriate history should be taken and recorded before isotretinoin is prescribed. There are two specific areas for concern and care that require more specific advice: risk of teratogenicity and mood change. The consequences of taking isotretinoin while pregnant are well described.2 A baby born to a mother who has taken isotretinoin for even a few days during pregnancy has a high risk of malformation, including facial and skull malformation, and central nervous system or cardiovascular abnormalities. More effective pregnancy prevention measures need to be enforced. Sixteen pregnancies were reported in a BAD prospective audit in 2004, which included results from 75% of U.K. dermatologists and was performed over a 6-month period. Eight of these had unknown outcomes, one gave rise to a normal healthy baby and there were seven terminations of pregnancy. In two patients about to undergo isotretinoin treatment, unknown pregnancies were prevented from risk exposure by pretreatment pregnancy tests. As of January 2010, 105 pregnancies have been spontaneously reported to the MHRA U.K. licensing authority. Dermatologists should take every action to ensure that all women being considered for treatment understand the risks and consequences of pregnancy. All women of childbearing potential must be fully counselled about this effect of the drug and must also receive the patient information brochure provided by the manufacturer of the brand that is being prescribed. Every prescribing physician should be obliged to follow these guidelines. If exceptions exist, refer to ‘Exemption from the pregnancy prevention programme’ section below. Discuss and record current and predicted sexual activity/behaviour to cover the entire course of treatment in all women of childbearing potential. No assumptions can be made because of age, race or religious beliefs, although clinicians should be sensitive to such issues. It may be necessary to conduct some of this enquiry with the patient alone, in the absence of parents or partner. A patient’s sexual behaviour may change during therapy, so a discussion of the risks of teratogenicity should not be limited to those who are sexually active before treatment starts. A menstrual history should be taken: patients with irregular menses present a difficult management problem that may require specialist advice. The prescriber should educate female patients about contraception. These patients must be provided with comprehensive information on pregnancy prevention including the manufacturers’ written documentation of contraceptive measures and should be referred for contraceptive advice if they are not using effective contraception. Ideally, the main form of contraception should be hormonal – either the combined contraceptive pill, or injectable or implantable hormonal therapy should be used. The progesterone-only pill may be less reliable in those taking isotretinoin, and may make acne worse. Female patients are advised to use at least one but ideally TWO methods of contraception for 1 month before starting treatment, including a barrier method, and to continue to use effective contraception throughout the treatment period and for at least 1 month after cessation of treatment even in patients with amenorrhoea. All female patients must sign a form indicating that they fully understand the risks of pregnancy, that they are not currently pregnant, that they have been using appropriate contraception for 1 month before starting treatment, and that the responsibilities of the patient and physician have been discussed. This should include the responsibility of the patient to consult her general practitioner (GP), dermatologist or pharmacist if she has knowingly had unprotected intercourse so that the possibility of using emergency contraception can be considered. The form for signature is provided by the manufacturer and must be signed by all women who are to be prescribed isotretinoin. A woman who is prescribed isotretinoin with monthly review, pregnancy test and prescription is following the PPP (see Appendix 1). All female patients of childbearing potential should have a medically supervised pregnancy test. This can be done by measurement of β-human chorionic gonadotropin in blood or in urine using a urine test with minimum sensitivity of 25 mIU mL−1. This test must be performed during the consultation when isotretinoin is prescribed or in the 3 days prior to the visit, and should have been delayed until the patient has been using effective contraception for at least 1 month. The result and the date should be recorded. In patients without regular menses, the timing of this pregnancy test should reflect the sexual activity of the patient and be undertaken at least 3 weeks after the patient last had unprotected sexual intercourse. Isotretinoin can only be prescribed by or under the supervision of a dermatologist with expertise in the use of systemic retinoids and with a full understanding of the risks of treatment and monitoring requirements (see Appendix 1). The definition ‘physicians with expertise in the use of systemic retinoids’ was chosen in the licence as the most appropriate term to describe the provision of care in all European states, which currently use many different titles. In the U.K. this refers to Consultant Dermatologists, as currently only these healthcare professionals have the required knowledge and expertise. Isotretinoin should, therefore, be prescribed only by a consultant-led team and prescriptions should be issued, under the consultant’s name, from a hospital-based pharmacy. The consultant-led team is defined as including the following: consultants, dermatology trainees, nonconsultant career grades (Staff Grade and Associated Specialist doctors) and accredited GPs with Special Interests (GPwSIs), and Dermatology Specialist Nurses. The MHRA regards ‘physicians with expertise in the use of systemic retinoids’ in the licensed label as Consultant Dermatologists. Thus accreditation as a GPwSI in terms of the Department of Health guidance does not include isotretinoin prescription, and prescription by GPwSIs outwith the consultant-led team would be considered off-label. Consultant Dermatologists and experienced GPwSIs working within an integrated service may wish to develop a locally agreed care pathway including dispensing and an accreditation process to facilitate such off-label prescribing of isotretinoin. This position was reached through discussions with the MHRA, the BAD, the Royal College of General Practitioners, the Pharmaceutical Society and the Acne Support Group. Follow-up visits should be arranged at 28-day intervals. At the time of each monthly prescription, both the prescriber and the pharmacist must be aware of the result of the pregnancy test taken at the time of the prescription. Each prescription is for a maximum of 30 days and the drug must be dispensed no later than 1 week after the date of the prescription. After the course of treatment, a final pregnancy test should be taken and documented, advised at 5 weeks after completion of treatment to exclude pregnancy. Under exceptional circumstances, isotretinoin may be prescribed to a woman who is not at risk of pregnancy without following the rules of the PPP. Examples of such circumstances might be: a nonsexually active woman who is able to be certain that sexual activity will not start during the period of teratogenic risk, or a woman who does not have childbearing potential, e.g. following a hysterectomy. If a woman is to be exempted from the PPP, she must: Receive written information of the methods of contraception (contraceptive brochure provided by the drug supplier). Receive written information of the risks of teratogenicity with isotretinoin (patient information leaflet provided by the drug supplier). Sign the form (provided by the supplier of the isotretinoin) to confirm that she has received information of the teratogenic risk of the drug and the methods of contraception. Agree to contact the prescriber of the isotretinoin and the GP if there is any chance of pregnancy occurring during or immediately after the course of treatment. The prescriber of isotretinoin outside the PPP should: Document the reason for exclusion from the PPP. Discuss the teratogenic risks of the drug and the necessity of seeing the patient rapidly if the risk of pregnancy changes during the course of treatment. Record on each prescription of isotretinoin that the patient is exempted from the PPP. The prescriber may wish to take extra written documentation that the patient was aware that she was exempted from the normal PPP and was fully aware of the teratogenic risks of the treatment (e.g. BAD document: Isotretinoin – Consent for female patients not following Pregnancy Prevention Plan). While the evidence for the problems due to retinoids in pregnancy is clear-cut, the situation for the suggested link to mood change is less certain. Changes in mood have been reported in patients taking vitamin A,13 etretinate14 and isotretinoin, but not with some other retinoids such as bexarotene.15 Such symptoms have been reported in the treatment of patients with acne, disorders of keratinization and in patients with cancer given isotretinoin.16 Vitamin A and its metabolites do cross the blood/brain barrier, can induce benign intracranial hypertension and cause headache, and so there are no theoretical reasons why mood alteration could not occur.17 In addition, there is evidence of alterations in functional brain imaging induced by isotretinoin, but not accompanied by changes in mood or behaviour.18 There are limited data in animals supporting an association between the drug and depression (in mice)19 and refuting any association (in rats)20 with depressive behaviour characteristics. Retinoic acid is an important endogenous molecule controlling growth and differentiation of the fetal brain and remains important in maintaining neurogenesis and neuronal plasticity in the hippocampus in the adult brain and as a signalling molecule in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. Defects in these areas including hippocampal volume occur in depression and correlate with severity of depression, and increased neurogenesis correlates with antidepressant treatment.21, 22 Experimentally, mice treated with doses of isotretinoin giving tissue levels comparable with those used in treatment in humans display defects in learning and memory with shrinkage of the hypothalamus and diminished neurogenesis.23 Endogenous retinoic acid also modulates the dopamine D2 receptor in the striatum in a pathway implicated in the pathogenesis of depression and schizophrenia.21 The clinical data in humans supporting a relationship are conflicting, with several small inconclusive studies, often with significant design faults. Larger retrospective studies have shown an association between exposure to isotretinoin and depression or use of psychiatric services. In particular it has not been possible to distinguish accurately between mood change due to the drug and to the acne itself. The problem is not a new one. Beginning in 1983, there have been several case reports,3, 24, 25 some well publicized, as well as small case studies.24, 25 These suggest that mood change, and particularly depression, can occur during or soon after the use of isotretinoin. Hard evidence is not available, but the studies in which patients with apparent mood change were rechallenged with isotretinoin and had a relapse of mood alteration are the most compelling, with 41 cases of positive dechallenge and rechallenge between 1982 and 1998 reported.21 Of these, 28 were depressed, five were psychotic, five had an unspecified mood disorder and three had suicidal ideation. Relapse with rechallenge has also been reported with etretinate.15 Seven of 700 isotretinoin-treated patients were described as having psychiatric symptoms in a case series by Scheinman et al.;26 more recently, 17·2% of 1419 soldiers treated with isotretinoin, compared with 12·5% of 1102 with psoriasis, consulted the Israeli army mental health services.27 Many other small studies have also provided limited evidence, generally against any relationship existing, but all are too small to be conclusive.28-33 Several large reviews document the literature on this topic,15, 34, and a by the the of data very The most recent and that the evidence a link between isotretinoin and should be to the potential psychiatric side-effects which are not to to the MHRA psychiatric including those in in which isotretinoin was the This does not a symptoms have been described, they have most been of and The time course of onset of mood alteration is but is often later in treatment, and in some cases depressive symptoms have only in or even courses of therapy. of symptoms is within days to weeks of the although there are of all patients have therapy on depressive some have to continue with isotretinoin and have without therapy, and have received antidepressant The of suicidal behaviour to be in 5 exposed in the U.S.A. between 1982 and This may be an because of which is a in but if it is than the for a of comparable and It is important to be aware that suicidal behaviour is and is one of the of in who the most likely to be exposed to isotretinoin. A study of patients treated with isotretinoin, compared with 700 treated with from and U.K. the risk of depression and in these patients with acne, and that depression was more in patients treated with isotretinoin. There were some potential in the U.K. data on the of isotretinoin therapy by GPs who are not for prescribing and there was in the of mental The study was not large to increased It was not to the of there was an effect of acne on the development of psychiatric or although other studies have indicated this to be the 41 in a recent and more retrospective study of 30 isotretinoin-treated a or for depression or antidepressant treatment in to isotretinoin in a risk period immediately prior to the of depression in of this is compared with during a at least months from to for a period. A significant association with depression was shown for the time in a with risk of isotretinoin with depression being It is likely that patients with a pretreatment history of disorder or history of psychiatric disorder are more at The of pretreatment and both in the affected and in their is high in those cases reported to the In a recent retrospective of a case series of patients with had received isotretinoin. of these experienced of depression, three suicidal and had a of their mood on five with a prior history of disorder or or a history of psychiatric within a of months of exposure to isotretinoin. In three cases this was accompanied by a and in three cases for than suggesting an association between exposure to isotretinoin and There are also of onset of severe and mood alteration in without a history of psychiatric it may be that this is an there are data indicating an in psychiatric in patients with acne, as their skin disease has after 41 The that still has led to the that isotretinoin is being for less severe In isotretinoin therapy may lead to mood this has been reported in patients with or without psychiatric although it is more likely if there has been prior psychiatric there are no tests that of the of It does not to be an effect of all retinoids or to isotretinoin. that suggest it to be an effect include the that it is rare, that it does not to be related to depression, that it is not dose but that it can in those who are In the absence of a prospective study large to and the and psychiatric effects of isotretinoin, the following (see Appendix A enquiry about psychiatric health should be made for all patients who are being considered for isotretinoin and the recorded fully in the There may be a for specific psychiatric have been suggested by some and use of the suggested in the of this document has been and proved to All and their should be made aware of the possible potential for mood change in a It is to patients to their and to if they such enquiry about symptoms should be made at each is required to study the effects of isotretinoin on learning and imaging using and functional imaging should be used to confirm or evidence of and function effects in into to risk would but to isotretinoin. screening might most of the last have been or in that used to or gave been more or More screening using a may be The the or the screening in a recent British may be If symptoms of depression or mood change do isotretinoin treatment should be some after may wish to continue with the drug because of the to their In this specialist psychiatric should be If psychiatric disease is there should be an to the psychiatric services. The service advice to those with suicidal The of female patients of childbearing potential isotretinoin who have signed the of PPP form indicating that they have received appropriate The of patients who have had serum lipids at least during treatment. The with which patients in PPP received pregnancy tests before treatment and at monthly and at 5 weeks after treatment. The of pregnancies occurring in patients taking isotretinoin with a of pregnancies as the standard to be these must be reported on the Isotretinoin should be prescribed only by a consultant-led team and prescriptions should be issued, under the consultant’s name, from a hospital-based pharmacy. The consultant-led team is defined as including the following: consultants, trainees, nonconsultant career grades and accredited General with Special Interests and Dermatology Specialist Nurses. and record a full history appropriate to the known side-effects of isotretinoin. The of treatment with isotretinoin should be recorded. General side-effects should be discussed and written information for information by the or by the Acne Support may be used. Document the and severity of blood for liver function tests and fasting female patients for isotretinoin therapy is patient information teratogenic risk of isotretinoin, does not information about any other potential contraception information all methods of and patient has and both discussed and the risks of isotretinoin treatment, received the information on contraception and is to follow the guidance and rules for treatment. to sign form that she has and both patient with any other information on isotretinoin, its and If patient is at potential risk of pregnancy start Pregnancy Prevention (PPP). and TWO forms of contraception to be used from at least 1 month until at least 1 month after course of isotretinoin. supervised pregnancy test from blood or urine before starting therapy. pregnancy tests throughout therapy. Pregnancy test 5 weeks after stopping course of therapy. Isotretinoin prescriptions – for only 1 month of therapy at a for days the for prescribing to female patients at each each in-treatment and will any prescriptions that from PPP. In certain circumstances, e.g. the could be The pharmacist will follow the in the to prescribing and record about and current psychiatric discuss with and their or the potential for mood change in a that and should if such change should occur. an appropriate This will be within 4 weeks for female patients in the PPP. This may be used as a of the that may be taken on return visits for patients taking as with all such it may be for circumstances, and is not to of treatment. with both isotretinoin and contraception and about the risk of pregnancy. pregnancy test for PPP. the patient of the availability of emergency contraception. about and particularly mood change. might be: most of the last have been or in that used to or gave been more or the use of an for If such symptoms have their severity and the need for psychiatric or Discuss the need to discontinue isotretinoin with the patient and their parents if an about other blood tests if if they are to or to the dose of isotretinoin. In women following the PPP, do a pregnancy test and document the can continue only if the result is the drug for an appropriate period – 30 days for women continuing in the PPP, but may be for or for women exempted from the PPP. a as indicated by and the results of any This may be an in many This may be used as a of the that may be taken at the of an isotretinoin treatment as with all such it may be for circumstances, and is not to of treatment. with both isotretinoin and contraception. women at risk of pregnancy following the a pregnancy test. a final pregnancy test 5 weeks after the of therapy. that contraception is for 1 month after isotretinoin. about and particularly mood most of the last have been or in that used to or gave been more or the use of an for If symptoms of mood change have their severity and the need for psychiatric or an about other repeat blood tests if indicated and take any necessary the patient about the need to the of any that any isotretinoin is