Isotretinoin (By mouth)

Brand Name(s):

Amnesteem, Sotret, Claravis, Accutane

There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to isotretinoin or parabens (a preservative). Do not use this medicine if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant during your treatment. You should not use this medicine if you cannot follow all of the instructions in the Medication Guide.

How to Use This Medicine:

Liquid Filled Capsule

Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. Ask your pharmacist for the Medication Guide if you do not have one. Your doctor might ask you to sign some forms to show that you understand this information.
It is best to take this medicine with food or milk.
Swallow the capsule whole with a full glass (8 ounces) of water or other liquid. Do not break, crush, or chew it.

If a dose is missed:

If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any leftover medicine after you have finished your treatment. You will also need to throw away old medicine after the expiration date has passed.
Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using a tetracycline (Sumycin®), St. John's wort, any kind of vitamin A supplement, or a steroid medicine (such as cortisone, dexamethasone, hydrocortisone, methylprednisolone, prednisolone, prednisone, or Orapred®). Tell your doctor if you are also using a medicine to control seizures, such as carbamazepine (Tegretol®), phenobarbital, or phenytoin (Dilantin®).
Some medicines may cause birth control pills to not work as well. To keep from getting pregnant while you are using Accutane®, you must use another form of birth control together with the pill, such as a condom, diaphragm, vaginal sponge, or contraceptive foam or jelly.
Avoid skin treatments or wax hair removal while you are using this medicine, and for at least 6 months after your last dose.
Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

Using this medicine while you are pregnant can cause very serious birth defects. Use two forms of birth control for 1 month before starting this medicine, the entire time you are using this medicine, and for 1 month after your last dose. If you are using birth control pills, ask your doctor if your pills are a good kind to use. Some kinds of birth control pills may not work as well. You will be required to have a pregnancy test every month during treatment. If you think you have become pregnant while using the medicine, tell your doctor right away.
Make sure your doctor knows if you are breastfeeding, or if you have liver disease (including hepatitis), bowel or digestion problems (pain, bleeding, or diarrhea), diabetes, eye or vision problems, hearing problems, heart disease, pancreas problems (including pancreatitis), or if you have high cholesterol or triglycerides (fats in the blood). Tell your doctor if you or anyone in your family have had anorexia (an eating disorder), depression, aggressive behavior, or any kind of mental illness (schizophrenia), or a bone problem such as osteoporosis (thin bones). Tell your doctor if you use large amounts of alcohol.
You will be asked to sign a consent and agreement form before you take this medicine. This form tells you about the risks of using this medicine and the guidelines for safe use. Make sure you understand what is on the form before you sign it. You will also be asked to take part in a telephone survey and have your name placed on a patient registry list. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.
Some people who have used this medicine have become very depressed or angry. Tell your doctor right away if you think this medicine is causing changes in your mood or behavior. Some signs of this may be feeling very sad, getting upset easily, thinking about hurting yourself or someone else, feeling nervous, having trouble sleeping or sleeping too much, eating more or less than usual, gaining weight, losing weight, or having trouble thinking.
This medicine may cause problems with bones or muscles. You may get hurt more easily during rough sports. You may heal more slowly. If this medicine is for your child, tell the doctor if you think your child is not growing properly.
Your skin problems may get worse for a short time before they start to improve. Your acne may continue to get better even after you stop using this medicine. Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.
Do not donate blood while using this medicine or for 1 month after your last dose.
This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Use a sunscreen when you are outdoors. Avoid sunlamps and tanning beds.
This medicine may affect your vision, especially at night. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that may be dangerous if you are not able to see well.
This medicine may raise or lower your blood sugar, or it may cover up symptoms of very low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
Liver problems may occur while you are using this medicine. Stop using this medicine and check with your doctor right away if you are having more than one of these symptoms: abdominal pain or tenderness; clay-colored stools; dark urine; decreased appetite; fever; headache; itching; loss of appetite; nausea and vomiting; skin rash; swelling of the feet or lower legs; unusual tiredness or weakness; or yellow eyes or skin.
This medicine lowers the number of some types of blood cells in your body. Because of this, you may bleed or get infections more easily. To help with these problems, avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Wash your hands often. Stay away from rough sports or other situations where you could be bruised, cut, or injured. Brush and floss your teeth gently. Be careful when using sharp objects, including razors and fingernail clippers.
Your doctor will need to check your blood at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
Blood in your urine or foamy urine.
Blurred vision or changes in vision.
Chest pain, or a fast or uneven heartbeat.
Dark-colored urine or pale stools.
Decreased vision after sunset and before sunrise.
Feeling depressed or like you want to hurt yourself or others.
Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, and body aches.
Hearing problems or ringing in your ears.
Muscle weakness.
Seizures.
Severe diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, or bleeding from your rectum.
Sudden and severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, and lightheadedness.
Sudden or severe headache, or problems with vision, speech, or walking.
Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness.
Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

Dizziness, drowsiness, or headache.
Dry, itching, or peeling skin, dry eyes, or dry, cracked lips, mouth, or nose.
Heartburn, new or worsening.
Increase in thirst or how much you urinate.
Muscle, back, or joint pain or aching (more likely in children).
Skin rash.
Trouble sleeping.
Trouble swallowing or painful swallowing.
Trouble wearing contact lenses.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor:

Reviewed last on: 1/4/2010