Nightmares caused by isotretinoin in treating hidradenitis suppurativa: a case report and clinical insights

Isotretinoin, widely used for treating severe acne, has also been prescribed off-label for hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). While effective in some cases, isotretinoin is known to cause psychiatric side effects. This case report discusses a 24-year-old male with HS who developed severe nightmares aft...

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Main Authors: Fawaz Aljehani, Shumukh Alqahtani, Sara Alharbi, Seham Alsulami
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: PAGEPress Publications 2024-12-01
Series:Dermatology Reports
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Online Access:https://www.pagepress.org/journals/dr/article/view/10171
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author Fawaz Aljehani
Shumukh Alqahtani
Sara Alharbi
Seham Alsulami
author_facet Fawaz Aljehani
Shumukh Alqahtani
Sara Alharbi
Seham Alsulami
author_sort Fawaz Aljehani
collection DOAJ
description Isotretinoin, widely used for treating severe acne, has also been prescribed off-label for hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). While effective in some cases, isotretinoin is known to cause psychiatric side effects. This case report discusses a 24-year-old male with HS who developed severe nightmares after isotretinoin dosage was increased. Initially prescribed to manage his HS symptoms, the drug led to vivid, distressing nightmares that significantly disrupted his sleep, resulting in the discontinuation of treatment. The symptoms resolved upon cessation of isotretinoin, and a probable association was confirmed using the Naranjo algorithm. The patient was later transitioned to adalimumab, a biologic therapy for HS. This case highlights the need for careful psychiatric monitoring during isotretinoin therapy and emphasizes the importance of considering alternative treatments in cases of intolerable side effects. Further research is necessary to understand better the psychiatric implications of isotretinoin, including sleep disturbances like nightmares.
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series Dermatology Reports
spelling doaj-art-4a02a72c2d9f4483bea98ec38341d4cc2025-08-20T02:21:02ZengPAGEPress PublicationsDermatology Reports2036-73922036-74062024-12-0110.4081/dr.2024.10171Nightmares caused by isotretinoin in treating hidradenitis suppurativa: a case report and clinical insightsFawaz Aljehani0Shumukh Alqahtani1Sara Alharbi2Seham Alsulami3Department of Dermatology, King Abdulaziz Hospital, MakkahDepartment of Medicine and Surgery, College of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, MakkahDepartment of Dermatology, Eastern Health Cluster, DammamDepartment of Dermatology, Eastern Health Cluster, Dammam Isotretinoin, widely used for treating severe acne, has also been prescribed off-label for hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). While effective in some cases, isotretinoin is known to cause psychiatric side effects. This case report discusses a 24-year-old male with HS who developed severe nightmares after isotretinoin dosage was increased. Initially prescribed to manage his HS symptoms, the drug led to vivid, distressing nightmares that significantly disrupted his sleep, resulting in the discontinuation of treatment. The symptoms resolved upon cessation of isotretinoin, and a probable association was confirmed using the Naranjo algorithm. The patient was later transitioned to adalimumab, a biologic therapy for HS. This case highlights the need for careful psychiatric monitoring during isotretinoin therapy and emphasizes the importance of considering alternative treatments in cases of intolerable side effects. Further research is necessary to understand better the psychiatric implications of isotretinoin, including sleep disturbances like nightmares. https://www.pagepress.org/journals/dr/article/view/10171Isotretinoinhidradenitis suppurativanightmares
spellingShingle Fawaz Aljehani
Shumukh Alqahtani
Sara Alharbi
Seham Alsulami
Nightmares caused by isotretinoin in treating hidradenitis suppurativa: a case report and clinical insights
Dermatology Reports
Isotretinoin
hidradenitis suppurativa
nightmares
title Nightmares caused by isotretinoin in treating hidradenitis suppurativa: a case report and clinical insights
title_full Nightmares caused by isotretinoin in treating hidradenitis suppurativa: a case report and clinical insights
title_fullStr Nightmares caused by isotretinoin in treating hidradenitis suppurativa: a case report and clinical insights
title_full_unstemmed Nightmares caused by isotretinoin in treating hidradenitis suppurativa: a case report and clinical insights
title_short Nightmares caused by isotretinoin in treating hidradenitis suppurativa: a case report and clinical insights
title_sort nightmares caused by isotretinoin in treating hidradenitis suppurativa a case report and clinical insights
topic Isotretinoin
hidradenitis suppurativa
nightmares
url https://www.pagepress.org/journals/dr/article/view/10171
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