Oral isotretinoin versus acitretin in male patients with multiple recalcitrant common warts: A randomized, double-blinded placebo-control study.

Background: Management of multiple recalcitrant common warts represents a therapeutic challenge. Both oral isotretinoin and acitretin have shown a promising efficacy in the treatment of various types of warts. However, a comparative study of the two medicines in wart treatment has not yet been conducted.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and adverse effects of oral isotretinoin versus acitretin in the treatment of multiple recalcitrant common warts.

Methods: This study was conducted on 75 adult male patients with recalcitrant multiple common warts. The patients were randomly assigned to three groups: group 1 (30 patients) received oral isotretinoin, group 2 (30 patients) received acitretin, and group 3 received oral placebo (15 patients). The treatment was given daily until complete clearance or for a maximum of 3 months.

Results: Complete clearance of the treated lesions was observed in 18 patients (60%) of the isotretinoin group, in 22 patients (73.3%) of the acitretin group, and in 0 patients (0%) of the placebo group. A statistically significant difference was observed in the therapeutic response between the treatment groups, and the placebo group was observed. Adverse effects of the used drugs were mild and transient.

Conclusion: Oral isotretinoin and acitretin are promising effective modalities with minimal side effects for the treatment male patients with multiple recalcitrant common warts with a relative superiority of acitretin.