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Accutane

Generic name: isotretinoin (oral) [ EYE-so-TRET-i-noyn ]
Drug classes: Miscellaneous antineoplastics, Miscellaneous uncategorized agents

Medically reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm. Last updated on Feb 6, 2023.

What is Accutane?

Accutane is a form of vitamin A. It reduces the amount of oil released by oil glands in your skin, and helps your skin renew itself more quickly.

Accutane is used to treat severe nodular acne that has not responded to other treatments, including antibiotics.

Accutane is available only from a certified pharmacy under a special program called iPLEDGE.

Warnings

Accutane in just a single dose can cause severe birth defects or death of a baby. Never use this medicine if you are pregnant or able to become pregnant.

You must have a negative pregnancy test before taking Accutane. You will also be required to use two forms of birth control to prevent pregnancy while taking this medicine.

Women of child-bearing potential must agree in writing to use two specific forms of birth control and have regular pregnancy tests before, during, and after taking Accutane. Stop using Accutane and call your doctor at once if you think you might be pregnant.

Accutane is available only under a special program called iPLEDGE. It is dangerous to try and purchase this medicine on the Internet or from vendors outside of the United States.

Do not take vitamin supplements containing vitamin A while you are taking Accutane. Do not donate blood while taking Accutane and for at least 30 days after you stop taking it.

Before taking this medicine

Accutane can cause miscarriage, premature birth, severe birth defects, or death of a baby if the mother takes this medicine at the time of conception or during pregnancy. Even one dose of isotretinoin can cause major birth defects of the baby's ears, eyes, face, skull, heart, and brain. Never use Accutane if you are pregnant or able to become pregnant.

For Women: Unless you have had your uterus and ovaries removed (total hysterectomy) or have been in menopause for at least 12 months in a row, you are considered to be able to get pregnant. You must have 2 negative pregnancy tests before you start taking Accutane, before each prescription is refilled, right after you take your last dose, and again 30 days later. All pregnancy testing is required by the iPLEDGE program.

You must agree in writing to use two specific forms of birth control beginning 30 days before you start taking Accutane and ending 30 days after your last dose. Both a primary and a secondary form of birth control must be used together.

Primary forms of birth control include:

Secondary forms of birth control include:

Stop using Accutane and call your doctor at once if you have unprotected sex, if you quit using birth control, if your period is late, or if you think you might be pregnant. If you get pregnant while taking isotretinoin, call the iPLEDGE pregnancy registry at 1-866-495-0654.

Not having sexual intercourse (abstinence) is the most effective method of preventing pregnancy.

You should not use Accutane if you are allergic to isotretinoin.

To make sure Accutane is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

Do not breastfeed.

Not approved for use by anyone younger than 12 years old.

How should I take Accutane?

Take Accutane exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets.

Each prescription of Accutane must be filled within 7 days of the date it was written by your doctor. You will receive no more than a 30-day supply of Accutane at one time.

Always take Accutane with a full glass of water. Do not chew or suck on the capsule. Swallow it whole.

Follow all directions about taking Accutane with or without food.

Use this medicine for the full prescribed length of time. Your acne may seem to get worse at first, but should then begin to improve.

You may need frequent blood tests.

Never share this medicine with another person, even if they have the same symptoms you have.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

Dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Acne:

Maintenance dose: 0.25 to 0.5 mg/kg orally 2 times a day
Maximum dose: Up to 2 mg/kg/day
Duration of therapy: Up to 20 weeks.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Acne:

12 years or older:
-Maintenance dose: 0.25 to 0.5 mg/kg orally 2 times a day
-Maximum dose: 2 mg/kg/day
-Duration of therapy: Up to 20 weeks

Comments:
-Patients should take some formulations of this drug with food.
-Prior to increasing the dose, patients should be asked about their compliance with treatment (e.g., taking this drug with food).
-Patients with very severe acne, scarring, or primary manifestations on the trunk may require 2 mg/kg/day dosing.
-Any patient requesting refills requires a new prescription and a new authorization from the iPLEDGE program.
-The safety and efficacy of once a day dosing has not been established; thus, once a day dosing is not recommended.

Use: Treatment of severe recalcitrant nodular acne in patients who are unresponsive to conventional therapy, including systemic antibiotics

What happens if I miss a dose?

Skip the missed dose and use your next dose at the regular time. Do not use two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. Overdose symptoms may include headache, dizziness, vomiting, stomach pain, warmth or tingling in your face, swollen or cracked lips, and loss of balance or coordination.

What should I avoid while taking Accutane?

Do not take a vitamin or mineral supplement that contains vitamin A, unless your doctor tells you to.

Do not donate blood while taking isotretinoin and for at least 30 days after you stop taking it. Donated blood that is later given to a pregnant woman could lead to birth defects in her baby if the blood contains any level of isotretinoin.

While you are taking Accutane and for at least 6 months after your last dose: Do not use wax hair removers or have dermabrasion or laser skin treatments. Scarring may result.

Isotretinoin could make you sunburn more easily. Avoid sunlight or tanning beds. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors.

Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you. Isotretinoin may impair your vision, especially at night.

Accutane side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Accutane (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).

Stop using Accutane and call your doctor at once if you have:

Common Accutane side effects may include:

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect Accutane?

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with isotretinoin, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Popular FAQ

No reports of permanent liver damage associated with Accutane (isotretinoin) could be found in the literature but temporary increases in liver test abnormalities are estimated to occur in up to 15% of people taking isotretinoin. Significant increases, such as those more than three times the upper limit of normal (ULN) or increases that require people to stop taking Accutane are exceedingly rare and occur in less than 1% of people taking Accutane. Continue reading

Absorica and Accutane both contain isotretinoin, a medicine used to treat very severe acne, but Absorica is more easily absorbed into your body and, unlike Accutane, does not have to be taken with food. Continue reading

Absorica starts to work within 4 weeks but may take up to 20 weeks (5 months) for the full effects to be seen. Within four weeks of taking Absorica, a more than 33% reduction in the overall number of acne lesions was reported. Over 70% of people with severe nodular acne achieved a 90% reduction in the number of their nodular acne lesions after 20 weeks with Absorica. A single course of Absorica for 20 weeks has been shown to result in complete and prolonged remission of acne in many patients. Continue reading

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Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Accutane only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.