Ask your specialist or a pharmacist for advice about suitable alternatives and the best treatment for your condition. There's no firm evidence to suggest that taking isotretinoin capsules will reduce fertility in either men or women. However, women are advised not to take isotretinoin capsules if they're pregnant or trying for a baby. This medicine can harm a baby. It's safe for women to try for a baby from 5 weeks after their treatment with isotretinoin capsules has finished. A pregnancy test will be done after you stop your treatment.
Do not donate blood while taking isotretinoin capsules and for at least 1 month after stopping. If your blood is given to a pregnant woman, it may harm her unborn baby.
Isotretinoin capsules can make you feel sleepy and dizzy. You also may not see as well at night. If this happens to you, do not drive, cycle, or use machinery or tools until you've stopped treatment.
It's best to avoid alcohol while taking isotretinoin capsules, or at least keep the amount you drink to a minimum. This is because there's a risk of damage to your liver - and that your cholesterol levels will increase. If you do drink, try not to drink more than the recommended guidelines of up to 14 units of alcohol a week. A standard glass of wine ml is 2 units. A pint of lager or beer is usually 2 to 3 units of alcohol.
Page last reviewed: 18 January Next review due: 18 January Isotretinoin capsules Roaccutane On this page About isotretinoin capsules Key facts Who can and can't take isotretinoin capsules Side effects How to cope with side effects How and when to take it Advice for women Cautions with other medicines Common questions. About isotretinoin capsules Isotretinoin capsules are a very effective treatment for severe acne spots. Isotretinoin capsules are also known by the brand names Roaccutane and Rizuderm.
Isotretinoin capsules start to work after a week to 10 days. They work very well - 4 out of 5 people who use them have clear skin after 4 months. You will a have blood test before you start taking isotretinoin and regular blood tests during your treatment.
Your skin may become very dry and sensitive to sunlight during treatment. Using lip balm and moisturisers will help.
It's very important not to become pregnant while using isotretinoin capsules and for at least 1 month after stopping.
This is because isotretinoin can harm an unborn baby. Women will be given a reminder card about this. If you become depressed or think about harming yourself while taking isotretinoin, stop taking the medicine and tell your doctor straight away. Isotretinoin capsules aren't suitable for some people.
Do not take isotretinoin capsules if you : have had an allergic reaction to isotretinoin, soya the capsules contain soya or any other medicines in the past have an inherited digestive disorder called fructose intolerance the capsules contain sorbitol To make sure isotretinoin capsules are safe for you, tell your doctor if you : have had a mental health illness like depression are pregnant or think you could be, or you're breastfeeding have ever had an allergic reaction to isotretinoin or any other medicine have liver or kidney disease have high levels of cholesterol or other fats in your blood have high levels of vitamin A have Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis If you have diabetes , talk to your doctor before beginning treatment with isotretinoin capsules.
Common side effects The common side effects of isotretinoin capsules happen in more than 1 in 10 people. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if these side effects bother you or don't go away: skin becoming more sensitive to sunlight dry eyes dry throat dry nose and nosebleeds headaches and general aches and pains Serious side effects Serious side effects are rare and happen in less than 1 in 1, people.
Important Tell your doctor straight away if you become depressed or think about ending your life while taking isotretinoin capsules. Serious allergic reaction In rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction anaphylaxis to isotretinoin capsules. Information: You can report any suspected side effect to the UK safety scheme. What to do about : dry skin or lips - apply a moisturiser and lip balm often the best type of moisturiser is an oil-free face moisturiser for sensitive skin.
Try to keep your showers shorter than 2 minutes, using lukewarm water rather than hot. Do not use a sunlamp or sunbeds. If you wear contact lenses and these become uncomfortable, you might have to wear glasses instead while you're taking this medicine.
Light exercise shouldn't be a problem, but try to avoid heavy exercise as it may make joint or muscle pain worse. It's important to take the capsules as instructed by your doctor.
The dose of isotretinoin capsules varies from person to person, and depends on your weight. What if I forget to take it? Never take a double dose. Not as commonly, isotretinoin causes:.
Very rarely, isotretinoin may cause:. Isotretinoin can cause miscarriage and severe birth defects in babies whose mothers take the drug while pregnant. It's very important that you do not get pregnant while taking isotretinoin, as well as for at least one month after stopping treatment.
You also may not breastfeed while taking this medication. Your healthcare provider will discuss the possible side effects with you before you start treatment. Remember, if you have any questions, don't be afraid to ask. Probably the most widely discussed side effects of isotretinoin are depression and suicide. There have been reports of depression, psychosis, suicide attempts, and suicide in people taking isotretinoin.
Exactly how or why this happens isn't known, but some researchers believe the drug may disrupt the way serotonin is made and used by the body. Most people who take isotretinoin never experience any psychiatric problems. There is no conclusive link between isotretinoin use and depression, and some research has cast doubt on whether there's any link at all. Just as a precaution, though, make sure you tell your healthcare provider if you have a history of depression or mental illness.
Know the warning signs and tell your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any symptoms of depression or psychosis, or if you are having suicidal thoughts. Prepare to become very familiar with iPledge. Anyone taking isotretinoin is required to be enrolled in this program.
The primary goal of iPledge is to ensure no woman takes isotretinoin while pregnant, or becomes pregnant during treatment.
Healthcare providers who prescribe isotretinoin, and pharmacists who dispense it, must also register with the program. Before receiving your first prescription, and for each month during treatment, you will have certain requirements that must be met.
This can include monthly pregnancy tests, using two forms of birth control, and picking up your prescription within a certain window of time. It's not just women who can become pregnant who must register with iPledge. Men, and women who can't become pregnant, also must comply with certain requirements before taking isotretinoin. Isotretinoin is best for moderate acne to severe acne. If you have mild acne, your healthcare provider will likely have you try other acne medications first.
Of course, not everyone is a candidate for isotretinoin treatment. But if you have already tried other acne treatments without much success, if your acne is severe, or if you have widespread acne of the back or body, isotretinoin may be an option. Your healthcare provider is your best resource, so ask for her opinion. Even if isotretinoin isn't the treatment for you, your practitioner will have other treatment options available, so it's worth making that appointment.
Isotretinoin has proven to be a successful acne treatment. For those who suffer from severe inflammatory or cystic acne , it may be a viable treatment option, especially if your acne has not responded well to other medications.
Ultimately, you and your dermatologist must decide if isotretinoin therapy is right for you. Dealing with acne can be frustrating. Our free guide provides expert tips to help you take control. Sign up and get yours today. Hannah P, Nazia S. National Center for Biotechnology Information. Isotretinoin more commonly known as its former brand name Accutane is a drug used to treat severe acne.
Isotretinoin works by decreasing the size of the sebaceous glands in the skin. The sebaceous glands are responsible for creating sebum, the oil in skin that can clog pores and cause acne.
When the sebum is controlled, breakouts stop. The drug is found to be very successful in treating acne when all other options have been exhausted. The reason that doctors typically hold off on prescribing isotretinoin is because of the intense side effects it can have on your body.
However, because Isotretinoin has been well monitored, all side-effects are known and can be treated.
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