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Accutane
This page contains drug information on Accutane.
The information provided includes the following:
- what is Accutane
- the possible side effects of Accutane
- what happens if you miss a dose of Accutane
- what happens if you overdose with Accutane
- the most important information about Accutane
- how to use Accutane
- other drugs that may affect Accutane
- what to avoid while using Accutane
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Generic Name: isotretinoin (oral) (eye so TREH tih noyn)
Brand Names:
Accutane
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What is the most important information I should know about
isotretinoin?
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Isotretinoin is a medication taken to treat severe nodular acne
that has not been helped by other treatments, including
antibiotics. However, isotretinoin can cause serious side
effects. Before starting treatment with isotretinoin, discuss
with your doctor how bad the acne is, the possible
benefits of isotretinoin, and the possible side effects. Your
doctor will ask you to read and sign a form indicating that you
understand the serious risks associated with isotretinoin
therapy. |
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Do not take isotretinoin if you are pregnant or if you
could become pregnant during treatment or for one month after
you stop taking isotretinoin. Isotretinoin is in the FDA
pregnancy category X. This means that isotretinoin is known to
cause severe birth defects in an unborn baby. It can also
cause miscarriage, premature birth, or death of the baby. You
must take a pregnancy test and have negative results when
you and your doctor decide that isotretinoin may be beneficial
for your condition. You must have a second pregnancy test with
negative results during the first 5 days of the menstrual period
right before you start taking isotretinoin. Two reliable forms
of birth control must be used at the same time (unless
abstinence is the chosen method of birth control or if you have
undergone a hysterectomy) for one month before starting
treatment with isotretinoin, during treatment with isotretinoin,
and for at least 1 month following the end of treatment. You
will also be asked to take a pregnancy test on a monthly basis.
Your doctor will discuss with you and provide for you a video
and written information regarding choices for birth control,
possible causes for birth control failure, and the importance of
using birth control while taking isotretinoin. If you become
pregnant, stop using birth control, or miss your menstrual
period, immediately stop taking isotretinoin and notify your
doctor. |
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Some patients have experienced depression (including feelings
of sadness, irritability, unusual tiredness, trouble
concentrating, and loss of appetite) and suicidal thoughts and/
or behavior during, and soon after stopping, treatment with
isotretinoin. Notify your doctor immediately if you begin to
experience signs of depression or if you begin to have thoughts
about taking your own life during or shortly following treatment
with isotretinoin. |
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Do not take vitamin supplements containing vitamin A during
treatment with isotretinoin. This could cause increased side
effects. |
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Do not donate blood while taking isotretinoin and for at least
1 month following the end of treatment. Blood donated while
taking isotretinoin may be given to a pregnant woman and
be harmful to her baby. |
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Do not use wax hair removal systems or have any skin
resurfacing procedures (such as dermabrasion or laser treatment)
performed while taking isotretinoin and for six months following
treatment due to the possibility of scarring. |
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Avoid exposure to sunlight or UV rays while taking
isotretinoin. Isotretinoin may increase the sensitivity of the
skin to sunlight and a severe sunburn could result. |
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Use caution when driving a vehicle at night. Isotretinoin can
cause decreased night vision. The onset of decreased night
vision may be sudden. |
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Take all of the isotretinoin that has been prescribed for you
even if your symptoms start to improve. The acne may seem to get
worse at the start of therapy, but should then begin to improve.
For the best results, finish all of the medication that has been
prescribed. You may require more than one course of therapy with
isotretinoin. |
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Isotretinoin is a form of vitamin A. It decreases the amount
of sebum (oil) that is released by the sebaceous (oil) glands,
and it increases that rate at which the skin renews itself. |
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Isotretinoin is used to treat severe nodular acne that has not
responded to other treatments, including antibiotics. |
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Isotretinoin may also be used for purposes other than those
listed in this medication guide. |
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before
taking isotretinoin?
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Before taking isotretinoin, tell your doctor if you have |
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a personal or family history of mental problems including
depression, suicidal behavior, or psychosis (loss of contact
with reality, hearing voices, or seeing things that are not
there); |
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osteoporosis (bone loss) or weak bones; |
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high cholesterol or triglyceride levels (types of fat)
in the blood; or |
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You may not be able to take isotretinoin, or you may require a
dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you
have any of the conditions listed above. |
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Do not take isotretinoin if you are pregnant or if you
could become pregnant during treatment or for one month after
you stop taking isotretinoin. Isotretinoin is in the FDA
pregnancy category X. This means that isotretinoin is known to
cause severe birth defects in an unborn baby. It can also cause
miscarriage, premature birth, or death of the baby. You
must take a pregnancy test and have negative results when you
and your doctor decide that isotretinoin may be beneficial for
your condition. You must have a second pregnancy test with
negative results during the first 5 days of the menstrual period
right before you start taking isotretinoin. Two reliable forms
of birth control must be used at the same time (unless
abstinence is the chosen method of birth control or if you have
undergone a hysterectomy) for one month before starting
treatment with isotretinoin, during treatment with isotretinoin,
and for at least 1 month following the end of treatment. You
will also be asked to take a pregnancy test on a monthly basis.
Your doctor will discuss with you and provide for you a video
and written information regarding choices for birth control,
possible causes for birth control failure, and the importance of
using birth control while taking isotretinoin. If you become
pregnant, stop using birth control, or miss your menstrual
period, immediately stop taking isotretinoin and notify your
doctor. |
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It is not known whether isotretinoin passes into breast milk.
Do not take isotretinoin without first talking to your doctor if
you are breast-feeding a baby. |
How should I take isotretinoin?
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Take isotretinoin exactly as directed by your doctor. If you
do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse,
or doctor to explain them to you. |
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• |
Isotretinoin is a medication taken to treat severe nodular
acne that has not been helped by other treatments, including
antibiotics. However, isotretinoin can cause serious side
effects. Before starting treatment with isotretinoin, discuss
with your doctor how bad the acne is, the possible benefits of
isotretinoin and the possible side effects. Your doctor will ask
you to read and sign a form indicating that you understand the
serious risks associated with isotretinoin therapy. |
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You will get no more than a 30-day supply of isotretinoin at a
time. Your prescription should have a special yellow
self-adhesive sticker attached to it. If your prescription does
not have this yellow sticker, call your doctor. The pharmacy
should not fill the prescription without this sticker. |
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Take each dose of isotretinoin with a full glass of water.
This will help prevent the medication inside the capsule from
irritating the lining of the esophagus. For the same reason, do
not chew or suck on the capsule. |
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Take isotretinoin twice a day with food or milk to get the
best results from this medication, unless otherwise directed by
your doctor. |
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Take all of the isotretinoin that has been prescribed for you
even if your symptoms start to improve. The acne may seem to get
worse at the start of therapy, but should then begin to improve.
For the best results, finish all of the medication that has been
prescribed. You may require more than one course of therapy with
isotretinoin. |
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Your doctor may perform blood tests during treatment with
isotretinoin to monitor side effects from this medication. |
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Due to the serious side effects that may occur with the use of
this medication, do not share it with anyone else. |
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Store isotretinoin at room temperature away from moisture and
heat. |
What happens if I miss a dose?
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Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it
is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and only
take the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a
double dose of this medication. |
What happens if I overdose?
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Seek emergency medical attention. |
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Symptoms of an isotretinoin overdose include vomiting,
abdominal pain, flushing of the face, inflammation of the lips,
headache, dizziness, and clumsiness. |
What should I avoid while taking isotretinoin?
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Do not take vitamin supplements containing vitamin A during
treatment with isotretinoin. This could cause increased side
effects. |
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Do not donate blood while taking isotretinoin and for at least
1 month following the end of treatment. Blood donated while
taking isotretinoin may be given to a pregnant woman and be
harmful to her baby. |
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• |
Do not use wax hair removal systems or have any skin
resurfacing procedures (such as dermabrasion or laser treatment)
performed while taking isotretinoin and for six months following
treatment due to the possibility of scarring. |
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• |
Avoid exposure to sunlight or UV rays while taking
isotretinoin. Isotretinoin may increase the sensitivity of the
skin to sunlight and a severe sunburn could result. |
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• |
Use caution when driving a vehicle at night. Isotretinoin can
cause decreased night vision. The onset of decreased night
vision may be sudden. |
What are the possible side effects of isotretinoin?
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Stop taking isotretinoin and seek emergency medical attention
or contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the
following serious side effects: |
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an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the
throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives); |
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changes in vision, blurred vision, or decreased vision (especially
at night); |
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painful or constant dryness of the eyes; |
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depression including feelings of sadness, crying spells,
irritability, changes in sleep patterns, unusual tiredness,
trouble concentrating, loss of appetite, and/ or suicidal
thoughts or other mental problems; |
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stomach, chest, or bowel pain; |
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rectal bleeding, or severe or bloody diarrhea; |
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difficulty or pain when swallowing; |
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new or worsening heartburn; |
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yellowing of the skin or eyes or persistently dark urine; |
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severe headache or dizziness; |
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joint or muscle pain or bone problems; |
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hearing problems or hearing loss; |
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increased thirst or urination; |
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slurred speech or problems moving; |
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increased levels of cholesterol or triglyceride (types of fat)
in your blood (detected by blood tests). |
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Other, less serious side effects are more likely to occur.
Continue to take isotretinoin and talk to your doctor if you
experience |
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inflammation, dryness, or cracking of the lips; |
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dry skin, dry mouth, dry or bleeding nose, dryness of the eyes
and/ or difficulty wearing contact lenses; |
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increased sensitivity of the skin to the sun. |
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Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk
to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that
is especially bothersome. |
What other drugs will affect isotretinoin?
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Do not take any of the following medicines while taking
isotretinoin: |
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vitamin supplements containing vitamin A; or |
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a tetracycline antibiotic such as tetracycline (Sumycin,
Achromycin, Panmycin, Robitet, others), minocycline (Minocin,
Dynacin, Vectrin), doxycycline (Doryx, Monodox, Vibramycin,
Vibra-Tabs), demeclocycline (Declomycin), or troleandomycin (TAO). |
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Taking any of the drugs listed above during treatment with
isotretinoin may be dangerous. |
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Before taking isotretinoin, tell your doctor if you are taking
carbamazepine (Tegretol, Carbatrol, Epitol). You may require a
dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment. |
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Do not use other acne medications unless otherwise directed by
your doctor. They may interfere with the treatment or increase
irritation of the skin. |
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Do not take birth control pills that do not contain estrogen
("minipills") during treatment with isotretinoin. They
may not work while taking isotretinoin. |
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Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with
isotretinoin. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking
any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal
products. |
Where can I get more information?
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Your pharmacist has additional information about isotretinoin
written for health professionals that you may read. |
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Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach
of children, never share your medicines with others, and use
this medication only for the indication prescribed |
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Every effort has been made to ensure that the information
provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate,
up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that
effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive.
Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare
practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore
Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States
are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise.
Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose
patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an
informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare
practitioners in caring for their patients and/ or to serve
consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a
substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of
healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given
drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to
indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or
appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any
responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with
the aid of information Multum provides. The information
contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses,
directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic
reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the
drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or
pharmacist. |
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