Practical Guide To Accutane® Side Effects And Their Management*
Generic name: isotretinoin; Other brand names: Sotret®, Clarivis™, Amnesteem®
*This guide has been developed by board-certified dermatologists with extensive experience in the use of Accutane® and is intended as a resource for individuals who are considering or are taking Accutane®. The guide has no affiliation with Roche Laboratories, the manufacturer of Accutane®, or any other isotretinoin manufacturer.
Highlights
- All females must be sure they are not pregnant prior to starting Accutane®, during Accutane® treatment, and for one month after Accutane® therapy.
- Be careful about sun exposure.
- Take measures to prevent dry skin, lips and eyes.
- Avoid taking any supplemental vitamin A including supplemental vitamin A found in multivitamins, while taking Accutane®. You may take a vitamin A-free multivitamin.
- Do not donate blood during or for one month after your course of Accutane®.
- Do not share the drug with anyone.
- Do not breast feed during or for one month after Accutane® treatment.
- Avoid wax epilation (“waxing”) during and for at least six months after Accutane® treatment. Avoid skin laser resurfacing procedures and acne scar revision during and for at least twelve months after Accutane® treatment.
- Follow-up with your dermatologist, typically every 31 to 35 days, and pursue the routine laboratory tests that are ordered.
- Report anything that seems out of the ordinary and that persists to your doctor.
(A full description of each side effect along with prevention and treatment measures can be found by clicking on the headings of interest in the column to the left.)
Accutane® is a commonly prescribed medication belonging to a class of medications called systemic retinoids. It has a long track record, having been approved in 1980 by the FDA for use in the U.S., and has been in use in Europe since the 1970’s. Accutane® most often is prescribed for severe acne although occasionally it is used under other circumstances or for other conditions. With proper monitoring by your physician, Accutane® is a safe, effective medication. It has come under much scrutiny in recent years due to potential side effects. The reality is that as long as women avoid pregnancy one month prior to, during, and for one month after their course (usually 20 to 24 weeks) of Accutane®, all other side effects are readily preventable or manageable with proper patient education and doctor supervision. This guide will help you anticipate what to expect and help you prevent or minimize any side effects during your course of Accutane®. The pregnancy warnings will be listed first, followed by other side effects, with each side effect followed by simple measures you can take and links to products you can use to help prevent or manage these side effects. While the danger to pregnancy remains for one month after stopping Accutane®, all the other side effects, with rare exception, go away within days to weeks after finishing treatment. Follow the guidelines listed here and your course of Accutane® should be very smooth and your acne greatly improved or cured. As with any medical issue, you should consult your doctor regarding this information if you have any questions or plan to take Accutane®.