COMPARISON OF ISOTRETINOIN COMBINED WITH DESLORATADINE VERSUS ORAL ISOTRETINOIN ALONE IN THE MANAGEMENT OF ACNE VULGARIS

AK AFRIDI; S WAHAB; M LATIF; M SHAKIR

doi:10.54112/pjicm.v5i01.95

Authors

AK AFRIDI Department of Dermatology, Lady Reading Hospital MTI Peshawar, Pakistan
S WAHAB Department of Medicine, MTI DHQTH/Gomal Medical College, Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan
M LATIF Dow University, Hospital Karachi, Pakistan
M SHAKIR Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro , Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54112/pjicm.v5i01.95

Keywords:

Acne Vulgaris, Isotretinoin, Desloratadine, Combination Therapy, Efficacy, Global Acne Grading System (GAGS), Side Effects, Inflammatory Lesions, Non-Inflammatory Lesions

Abstract

Background: Acne vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder frequently managed with oral isotretinoin. However, the associated side effects, particularly mucocutaneous and inflammatory reactions, may limit treatment compliance. Antihistamines such as desloratadine have been proposed to mitigate side effects and enhance treatment outcomes. Objective: To compare the therapeutic efficacy and safety profile of oral isotretinoin combined with desloratadine versus isotretinoin alone in patients with acne vulgaris. Study Design: comparative study Setting: Department of Dermatology, MTI DHQTH/Gomal Medical College, Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan. Duration of Study: January 2024 to July 2024. Methods: A total of 68 patients diagnosed with moderate-to-severe acne vulgaris were enrolled and divided into two groups (n=34 each). Group A received 20 mg/day of oral isotretinoin plus 5 mg/day of desloratadine, while Group B received 20 mg/day of isotretinoin alone. Treatment was administered for 18 weeks. Efficacy was measured using the Global Acne Grading System (GAGS), with therapeutic success defined as a ≥90% reduction in GAGS score. Side effects were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 25, with chi-square and independent t-tests applied; p < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: The mean age was 22.82 ± 3.64 years in Group A and 22.68 ± 4.13 years in Group B. Group A showed a significantly greater reduction in GAGS scores (1.26 ± 0.75) compared to Group B (3.03 ± 1.26) (p = 0.0001). Therapeutic success was achieved in 79.4% of patients in Group A versus 52.9% in Group B (p = 0.02). Additionally, Group A reported significantly fewer side effects than Group B (p = 0.02). Conclusion: The combination of isotretinoin and desloratadine demonstrated superior efficacy and a more favorable safety profile compared to isotretinoin alone in the management of acne vulgaris. This dual therapy may be a valuable option for improving treatment outcomes and tolerability.

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