ISOTRETINOIN

Brand & Generic Names

Accutane
Accutane Roche

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? No Drug classification: Anti-acne

Uses

• Decreases cystic acne formation in severe cases.
• Treats certain other skin disorders involving an overabundance of outer skin layer.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Capsule--Swallow with liquid or food to lessen stomach irritation. If you can't swallow whole, open capsule and take with liquid or food.

When to take:
Twice a day. Follow prescription directions.

If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late. If more than 2 hours, wait for next scheduled dose and double dose.

What drug does:
Reduces sebaceous gland activity and size.

Time lapse before drug works:
May require 15 to 20 weeks to experience full benefit.

Don't take with:
Vitamin A or supplements containing Vitamin A.
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
None reported.

WHAT TO DO:

Overdose unlikely to threaten life. If person takes much larger amount than prescribed, call doctor, poison-control center or hospital emergency room for instructions.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

None expected.

Common:

• Burning, red, itching eyes; lip scaling; burning pain; nosebleeds.
• Itchy skin.
• Dry mouth.

Infrequent:

• Rash, infection, nausea, vomiting.
• Pain in muscles, bones, joints; hair thinning; tiredness.

Rare:

Abdominal pain, bleeding gums, blurred vision, diarrhea, headache, moodiness, vomiting, eye pain, rectal bleeding, yellow skin or eyes.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:

• You are allergic to isotretinoin.
• You are pregnant or plan pregnancy.
• YOU ARE EVEN ABLE TO BEAR CHILDREN. READ, UNDERSTAND AND FOLLOW THE PATIENT INFORMATION ENCLOSURE WITH YOUR PRESCRIPTION.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you have diabetes.
• If you or any member of family have high triglyceride levels in blood.

Over age 60:
Adverse reactions and side effects may be more frequent and severe than in younger persons.

Pregnancy:
Causes birth defects in fetus. Don't use.

Breast-feeding:
Drug filters into milk. May harm child. Avoid.

Infants & children:
Not recommended.

Prolonged use:

• Possible damage to cornea.
• Talk to your doctor about the need for follow-up medical examinations or laboratory studies to check complete blood counts (white blood cell count, platelet count, red blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit), liver function, blood lipids, blood sugar.

Skin & sunlight:
May cause rash or intensify sunburn in areas exposed to sun or sunlamp.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
No problems expected.

Discontinuing:
Single course of treatment is usually all that's needed. If second course required, wait 8 weeks after completing first course.

Others:

• Use only for severe cases of cystic acne that have not responded to less hazardous forms of acne treatment.
• May interfere with the accuracy of some medical tests.
• Don't donate blood for at least 30 days after discontinuing medicine.
• IF YOU ARE PLANNING PREGNANCY OR AT RISK OF PREGANCY, DON'T TAKE THIS DRUG.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
Etretinate	Increased chance of toxicity of
	each drug.
Tetracyclines*	Increased risk of developing
	pseudotumor cerebri*.
Tretonin	Increased chance of toxicity.
Vitamin A	Additive toxic effect of each.
	Avoid.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	Significant increase in
	triglycerides in blood. Avoid.
Beverages:	No problems expected.
Cocaine:	Increased chance of toxicity of
	isotretinoin. Avoid.
Foods:	No problems expected.
Marijuana:	Increased chance of toxicity of
	isotretinoin. Avoid.
Tobacco:	May decrease absorption of
	medicine. Avoid tobacco while in
	treatment.