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Lois Y. Matsuoka, MD; Jacobo Wortsman, MD; John J. Pepper, MD

Arch Intern Med. 1984;144(9):1870-1871.

Abstract
• Treatment with isotretinoin (retinoic acid), which is frequently used in the control of acne, is associated with transient arthralgias in up to 16% of patients. We encountered two cases of acute, aseptic arthritis of the knee in male patients receiving isotretinoin, during the third week and third month of therapy. Synovial fluid obtained from one of the patients was noninflammatory. The drug concentration in the synovial fluid was 131 ng/mL—a level that was compatible with diffusion from the blood (simultaneous serum concentration, 229 ng/mL). Arthritis resolved in both patients without sequelae, despite continuation of drug treatment in one of them. This observation indicates that arthritis with joint effusion may complicate isotretinoin use; it also suggests that alternative measures should be considered before administering the drug to patients with rheumatologic disorders.

(Arch Intern Med 1984;144:1870-1871)

Author Affiliations
From the Department of Medicine, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield (Drs Matsuoka and Wortsman), and the Department of Medical Services, Hoffmann-La Roche Inc, Nutley, NJ (Dr Pepper).

Footnotes
Accepted for publication Oct 17,1983.

Reprint requests to the Department of Medicine, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, PO Box 3926, Springfield, IL 62708 (Dr Matsuoka).

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