ISOTRETINOIN/ACCUTANE PATIENT HANDOUT
- Isotretinoin (e.g., Accutane) is a pill used to treat moderate to severe acne.
- It is usually taken for about 6 months and can "cure" acne. Some patients, particularly younger ones, may need a second course.
- All forms of isotretinoin (except Absorica) should be taken with a fatty meal for full absorption.
- It can cause serious birth defects if taken by a woman when pregnant. If you are female of child-bearing potential, don't get pregnant while on this medication.
- Whether male or female, don't donate blood (keeps the recipient of the blood from being exposed) and don't share the medication with other people.
- Does Accutane cause depression? The answer is unclear. Most people feel better on Accutane as their acne is getting better, but if you feel depressed, stop the medication and notify us immediately. Do you have a history of depression? Does anyone in your family have a history of mental illness?
- Accutane can rarely irritate the liver or elevate blood fats. Thus, we get blood work twice while on it.
| Common Side Effects |
Ways to Avoid/Treat |
| Dry Skin |
Moisturize several times a day, e.g. Eucerin or Cetaphil cream immediately after the bath/shower |
| Dry or Blood-Shot Eyes |
Eye drops, e.g., Refresh Tears® or Systane Ultra® |
| Dry Lips |
Lip Balm plus Omega-3 supplements, see below |
| Increased Sun Sensitivity |
Use Sunscreen |
| Flare of acne |
Loratadine (Claritin) 10 mg/day, see below. If severe, call your doctor. |
| Nose bleeds |
Vaseline up the nose, several times a day |
| Muscle aches, e.g. low back pain |
Advil or Alleve, but if severe or persistent let your doctor know. |
The following are rare, but have been reported in patients taking Accutane. If you experience any of them, stop the medication and notify your doctor immediately: Decreased vision at night. Worst headache you've ever had. Abdominal pain, diarrhea, bloody stool. Inflamed finger or toenails.
Antihistamines
When you first start Accutane, you will stop all your other acne medications. Because Accutane takes a few months to work, your acne may flare initially. Taking loratadine (Claritin) 10 mg/day can reduce this acne flare and other side effects. Claritin is over-the-counter.
Omega 3s
Taking 1000 mg/day of omega-3 fatty acids (e.g. Nature Made or Nature's Bounty) reduces skin, lip and nasal inflammation and dryness. Note, not all fish oil is omega-3. Make sure to buy omega-3.
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