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ω-3FA supplements potentially useful for lipid level management during isotretinoin therapy

Among patients undergoing isotretinoin treatment for acne, researchers have found ω-3 fatty acid supplements may be a useful addition for the management of lipid levels.

The researchers obtained data for 39 patients with acne who were treated with isotretinoin for a median of 5.87 months and retrospectively reviewed triglyceride levels during therapy.

Nineteen patients reported consistent use of ω-3 fatty acid (FA) supplements, and 20 reported no use of the supplements, according to the researchers.

A comparison of the mean percentage increase in patients’ triglyceride levels between those who had and had not used ω-3FA supplements and who had preexisting elevated triglyceride levels showed that patients who did not use the supplements had higher increases from baseline than those who did use the supplements.

Patients who had not used the supplements experienced a mean increase in triglyceride levels of 49% during the treatment, compared with those who used the supplements and experienced a mean increase of 13.91%, according to the researchers.

The researchers concluded that use of the ω-3FA supplements helped stabilize the expected increase in triglyceride levels among patients with preexisting hypertriglyceridemia who are undergoing isotretinoin therapy.

Disclosure: Kim is an investigator for and receives research grants from Allergan and Leo Pharma and is a consultant for and receives honoraria from Anacor, Galderma, Herbalife and Medicis.