Oral isotretinoin has well documented side effects which impose severe limitations on its clinical application in slight acne, pregnant women and patients with systemic diseases. The availability of a topical preparation avoid the systemic side effects of isotretinoin. The objective of the present study was to investigate the efficacy and the tolerance of 0.05% isotretinoin gel in the treatment of slight to moderately severe forms of acne vulgaris. Twenty patients, 9 males and 11 females, between 13 and 16 years old, were included in the study. Isotretinoin 0.05% gel was used once a day for three months. One patient dropped out after one month. Side effects have been reported in 7 patients, but only one patient withdrew the study because of irritation. Isotretinoin reduced both inflammatory and non inflammatory lesions. An improvement of acne severity was evident in 17 of 18 patients. In 5 patients improvement was more than 70%.
