Public Understanding and Awareness of Isotretinoin Use and Safety in Al Ahsa, Eastern Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: Acne vulgaris, a chronic inflammatory disease, is among the most common dermatologic conditions worldwide. In Saudi Arabia, Isotretinoin is commonly used to treat mild acne even without prescription. Objective: To explore the practice and knowledge of community in Saudi Arabia regarding dispensing, counseling practices, and safety of isotretinoin-containing products. Methods: A cross-sectional survey, using a self-administered questionnaire, was conducted in 3 sections: demographics, self-medication attitude (in the form of self Isotretinoin use), and identifying the side effects associated with the use of isotretinoin. Results: A total of 1069 participated in the study. Around half of the participants (44.2%) used isotretinoin with only mild acne as their first choice, which is contrary to the recommended guidelines. Virtually one-fifth of the participants did not examine the lipid profile, liver enzymes, and blood glucose level before isotretinoin use. Not many participants identified lipid (58.7%) and liver (44.1%) depression (53.3%), inflammatory bowel disease (75.9%), osteoporosis (60.3%), and sunburns (36.3%) as risks allied with isotretinoin use. Most participants (88.9%) appropriately recognized teratogenicity as the greatest hazard concomitant with the use of isotretinoin. Nevertheless, 20% of the women did not know that they must cease the drug at least 6 months before pregnancy. Conclusion: This study shows that community residents are not satisfactorily aware of the proper use and jeopardies of isotretinoin. Therefore, greater consideration ought to be dedicated to augment the safe use of isotretinoin. We recommend the implementation of tools to enhance the safe use of isotretinoin and the imposition of more effective regulations to limit nonprescribed isotretinoin dispensing in Saudi Arabia.

Knowledge levels and concerns about oral isotretinoin treatment in the parents of adolescent acne patients

“…Younis et al have reported that the society in their study was not aware of the correct use and side effects of isotretinoin. 20 In our study, the most known side effects of oral isotretinoin by the parents were dry lips, facial rash, and dry eyes, respectively. However, side effects most concerned about its emergence in the treatment process by the parents were vision problems, an increase of cholesterol levels, and nose bleeding.…”

“…The treatment duration ranges from 4 to 6 months depending on the daily dose given 22 . Knowledge levels about oral isotretinoin treatment have been examined in acne patients, rather than the parents, in several studies 16,20 . Al‐Harbi et al have reported that 76.7% of acne patients have heard the oral isotretinoin treatment previously and their main information sources about the drug were physicians, followed by the other acne patients 16 .…”

“…Awareness of acne patients about acne and its treatment has been examined in the diverse studies 10,16,19,20 . Lopez et al have conducted a study on adolescent patients with mild to moderate acne and their parents.…”

Females' Knowledge and Use of Isotretinoin (Roaccutane) in the Western Region of Saudi Arabia

“…This highlights the importance of proper patient knowledge and education by their dermatologists before starting treatment. A 2018 study to assess the public understanding and awareness of isotretinoin was conducted in Al Ahsa, and it showed that only half of the participants were able to identify most of the side effects; this was indicative that there was a lack of knowledge regarding the use of isotretinoin among the study population [9]. Moreover, another study among females students at Al-Faisal University was conducted in 2019; this study showed that acne was prevalent in 76.9% of the sample, with 48.6% of them using isotretinoin.…”

Dermatologists’ Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Dry Eye Disease, Refractive Surgery, and Contact Lenses When Prescribing Isotretinoin in Saudi Arabia

“…Most studies have investigated the public awareness and their concerns regarding isotretinoin. 8,9 More research is required for evaluating the knowledge and attitudes of dermatologists across the world with respect to the ocular adverse effects of isotretinoin to ensure safe practice patterns.…”