Treats severe acne. This medicine is related to vitamin A
Brand Names:
Accutane, Amnesteem, Sotret, Claravis
Contraindications:
You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to isotretinoin or parabens (a preservative). You should not use this medicine if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during your treatment, or if you cannot follow all of the instructions in the Medication Guide
Uses:
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. It is best to take this medicine with food or milk. Swallow the capsule whole. Do not break, crush, or chew it.
This medicine comes with patient instructions. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. Your doctor will ask you to sign some forms to show that you understand this information.
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.
Storage:
Store the medicine 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 Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.
Special precautions:
Before taking, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to any medications. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart failure or liver disease. tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking, call your doctor
Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using a tetracycline antibiotic, phenytoin (Dilantin®), St. John's wort, any kind of vitamin A supplement, or a steroid (such as prednisone, Azmacort®, Pediapred®, Flonase®, Flovent®, Nasonex®, Vancenase®).
Do not drink alcohol while using this medicine. Avoid skin treatments or wax hair removal while you are using this medicine and for at least 6 months after your last dose.
Warnings:
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 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 ("minipills") 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
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 mental changes for you Some signs of this may be feeling very sad, getting upset easily, thinking about hurting yourself or someone else, feeling nervous, eating more, eating less, gaining weight, losing weight, or having trouble thinking.
Make sure your doctor knows if you are breastfeeding, or if you have digestion problems, diabetes, heart disease, asthma, or liver disease. Tell your doctor if you or anyone in your family has had anorexia or any other kind of mental illness, or a bone problem such as osteoporosis (thinning bones).
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.
Side Effects:
Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Hearing problems or ringing in your ears
Severe diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, or bleeding from your rectum
Severe headache, blurred vision, dizziness
Yellow skin or eyes, dark-colored urine or pale stools
Dry, itching, or peeling skin, dry eyes, or dry, cracked lips, mouth, or nose
Muscle, back, or joint pain or aching (more likely in children)
