- ACCUTANE (isotretinoin, Roaccutane)
Description
Treats severe acne and other skin conditions. It is related to vitamin A.
Brand Name(s)
Accutane® Roaccutane
When you should not use this medicine
You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to isotretinoin,
vitamin A, tretinoin (Retin-A ® (marchio registrato)®), or etretinate (Tegison®). This medicine can harm your
unborn baby if you take it while you are pregnant. You should not use isotretinoin if you
are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
How to use and store this medicine
Capsules:
- Your doctor will tell you how much to take and how often.
- Take this medicine with food or milk.
- Do not break, crush or chew the capsules.
- If you are taking this medicine for acne, the acne may get
worse before it gets better.
- Store in a tight container at room temperature, away from
heat and direct light.
- Keep all medicine away from children.
If you miss a dose:
- Take as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed
dose. Take your medicine at your usual times.
- You should not use two doses at the same time.
How to use this medicine
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter
medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
- While taking isotretinoin, You should not use tetracycline
antibiotics or any vitamin supplements containing vitamin A.
- Avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medicine.
Warnings
- Talk to your doctor before taking if you are breastfeeding.
- Do not get pregnant while you are taking this medicine. Use
an effective form of birth control while taking this medicine and for at least one month
after your last dose.
- If you think you might have become pregnant after you have
started taking the medicine, stop taking it and call your doctor right away.
- You may need to start taking the medicine on the 2nd or 3rd
day of your menstrual period to make sure you are not pregnant. Your doctor should give
you a pregnancy test before you start the medicine.
- Do not donate blood while taking the medicine and for a
month after your last dose
- Tell your doctor if you have diabetes, high triglyceride
(fat in blood) levels, alcoholism, weight problems, or other medical problems.
- If you have diabetes your blood sugar may be hard to control
while you take this medicine. Talk with your doctor about this.
- This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight.
Use a sunscreen when outdoors. Avoid sunlamps or tanning beds.
- This medicine may cause you to have trouble seeing in dim
light or darkness. Be careful when driving a car or using machinery.
- This medicine may cause discomfort when wearing contact
lenses, even after you stop taking it.
Side effects
Call your doctor right away if you have any of these side effects:
- Vision problems
- Severe headache, vomiting
- Unusual or severe skin rash
- Severe diarrhea or stomach pain
If you have problems with these less serious side effects,
talk with your doctor.
- Dry, cracked lips, mouth, or nose
- Depressed mood
- Dry, itching or peeling skin
- Muscle or joint pain or aching
