TY - JOUR AU - Meran, Alan Dara AU - Saeed, Mohammad Yousif PY - 2018/12/31 Y2 - 2024/03/28 TI - Efficacy and safety of low dose oral isotretinoin in comparison with oral itraconazole in the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis among patients attending Erbil dermatology teaching center in Erbil City JF - Zanco Journal of Medical Sciences (Zanco J Med Sci) JA - Zanco J Med Sci VL - 22 IS - 3 SE - Original Articles DO - 10.15218/zjms.2018.054 UR - https://zjms.hmu.edu.krd/index.php/zjms/article/view/604 SP - 420-426 AB - <p><strong>Background and objective: </strong>Seborrheic dermatitis is chronic skin disease with exacerbation and remission, many topical and systemic therapies were used, including oral antifungal itraconazole, oral isotretinoin efficacy in the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis less studied. This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of low dose oral isotretinoin and oral itraconazole in the treatment of patients with seborrheic dermatitis.</p><p><strong>Methods</strong>: A total of 68 patients with seborrheic dermatitis were participating in a randomized, parallel-group study. One group (n = 31) took 200-mg/day oral itraconazole for one week of the first month, followed by 200 mg for the first two days of the next two months. The second group (n = 37) took oral isotretinoin 20 mg twice weekly for three months. Seborrheic dermatitis area severity index and intensity of itching and burning sensation were calculated before, during three months and one month after treatment.</p><p><strong>Results</strong>: Both drugs significantly reduced the severity of seborrheic dermatitis (<em>P </em>&lt;0.05). When the two groups were compared, patients taking oral isotretinoin showed a significantly greater decrease in seborrheic dermatitis area severity index score than itraconazole group particularly in the second and third months of treatment.</p><p><strong>Conclusion</strong>: Low dose oral isotretinoin is more effective than oral itraconazole in treating seborrhea dermatitis.</p> ER -