Isotretinoin Capsules
What is this medication?
ISOTRETINOIN (eye soe TRET i noyn) treats severe acne. It is often prescribed when other acne medications do not work well enough or cannot be tolerated. It belongs to a group of medications called retinoids.
This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Absorica, Absorica LD, Accutane, Amnesteem, Claravis, MYORISAN, Sotret, ZENATANE
What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
- Diabetes
- Eating disorders, such as anorexia
- Heart disease
- High cholesterol
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Liver disease
- Lung or breathing disease, such as asthma
- Mental health conditions
- Osteoporosis, weak bones
- Suicidal thoughts, plans, or attempt
- An unusual or allergic reaction to isotretinoin, aspirin, tartrazine, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
- Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
- Breastfeeding
How should I use this medication?
Take this medication by mouth with water. Take it as directed on the prescription label at the same time every day. You can take it with or without food. If it upsets your stomach, take it with food. Do not cut, crush, or chew this medication. Swallow the capsules whole. Keep taking it unless your care team tells you to stop.
A special MedGuide will be given to you by the pharmacist with each prescription and refill. Be sure to read this information carefully each time.
Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. While it may be prescribed for children as young as 12 years for selected conditions, precautions do apply.
Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, skip it. Take your next dose at the normal time. Do not take extra or 2 doses at the same time to make up for the missed dose.
What may interact with this medication?
- Certain antibiotics, such as doxycycline or tetracycline
- Certain medications for seizures, such as phenytoin
- St. John's wort
- Steroid medications, such as prednisone or cortisone
- Vitamin A
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
What should I watch for while using this medication?
Visit your care team for regular checks on your progress. It may be some time before you see the benefit from this medication.
Your acne may flare when you start taking this medication. This should only last for a short period of time. Talk to your care team if this is a concern for you.
You may need blood work done while you are taking this medication.
This medication can make you more sensitive to the sun. Keep out of the sun. If you cannot avoid being in the sun, wear protective clothing and sunscreen. Do not use sun lamps, tanning beds, or tanning booths.
Do not have cosmetic procedures such as waxing, dermabrasion, or laser therapy while taking this medication and for at least 6 months the last dose. It can increase the risk of scarring from these procedures.
Tell your care team right away if you have any change in your eyesight. Avoid driving at night until you know how it has affected your vision.
This medication may cause dry eyes. If you wear contact lenses, you may feel some discomfort. Lubricating eye drops may help. See your care team if the problem does not go away or is severe.
This medication may increase blood sugar. The risk may be higher in patients who already have diabetes. Ask your care team what you can do to lower your risk of diabetes while taking this medication.
This medication can increase bad cholesterol and fats (such as LDL, triglycerides) and decrease good cholesterol (HDL) in your blood. You may need blood tests to check your cholesterol. Ask your care team what you can do to lower your risk of high cholesterol while taking this medication.
Your care team may tell you to stop taking this medication if you develop muscle problems. If your muscle problems do not go away after stopping this medication, contact your care team.
Talk to your care team if you may be pregnant. Serious birth defects can occur if you take this medication during pregnancy and for 1 month after the last dose. You will need 2 negative pregnancy tests before starting this medication. Two forms of contraception are recommended for 1 month before starting this medication, while taking this medication, and for 1 month after the last dose. Your care team can help you find the option that works for you.
Do not breastfeed while taking this medication and for 1 month after the last dose.
Do not donate blood while taking this medication and for 1 month after the last dose. Donated blood may contain enough of this medication to cause fetal birth defects if transfused to someone who is pregnant.
What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Change in vision such as blurry vision, seeing halos around lights, vision loss
- Hearing loss, ringing in ears
- Increased pressure around the brain—severe headache, blurry vision, change in vision, nausea, vomiting
- Liver injury—right upper belly pain, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stool, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing skin or eyes, unusual weakness or fatigue
- Mood and behavior changes—anxiety, nervousness, confusion, hallucinations, irritability, hostility, thoughts of suicide or self-harm, worsening mood, feelings of depression
- Pancreatitis—severe stomach pain that spreads to your back or gets worse after eating or when touched, fever, nausea, vomiting
- Redness, blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
- Stomach pain, rectal bleeding, severe diarrhea
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Dryness or irritation of the eyes, lips, mouth, or nose
- Joint pain
- Muscle pain
- Nausea
This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Where should I keep my medication?
Keep out of the reach of children and pets.
Store at room temperature between 20 and 25 degrees C (68 and 77 degrees F). Protect from light. Get rid of any unused medication after the expiration date.
To get rid of medications that are no longer needed or have expired:
- Take the medication to a medication take-back program. Check with your pharmacy or law enforcement to find a location.
- If you cannot return the medication, ask your pharmacist or care team how to get rid of this medication safely.
NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.
Additional Information From Chemocare.com About Isotretinoin
Note: If a drug has been approved for one use, physicians may elect to use this same drug for other problems if they believe it may be helpful.
Self-Care Tips:
- Take Isotretinoin at about the same time every day along with a meal that includes some fats (this does not matter for Absorbica)
- Avoid grapefruit juice
- Avoid wearing contact lenses if you have dry or irritated eyes
- Drink at least two to three quarts of fluid every 24 hours, unless you are instructed otherwise.
- You may be at risk of infection so try to avoid crowds or people with colds, and report fever or any other signs of infection immediately to your health care provider.
- Wash your hands often.
- To reduce nausea, take anti-nausea medications as prescribed by your doctor, and eat small, frequent meals.
- To help treat/prevent mouth sores, use a soft toothbrush, and rinse three times a day with 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of baking soda and/or 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of salt mixed with 8 ounces of water.
- When you start taking Isotretinoin, you may experience headache, loss of night vision, sleepiness or eyesight changes. Use caution when driving or engaging in tasks requiring alertness until response to drug is known.
- Avoid sun exposure. Wear sunblock with an SPF of at least 15 and protective clothing.
- In general, drinking alcoholic beverages should be kept to a minimum or avoided completely. You should discuss this with your doctor.
- Get plenty of rest.
- Maintain good nutrition.
- If you experience symptoms or side effects, be sure to discuss them with your health care team. They can prescribe medications and/or offer other suggestions that are effective in managing such problems.
When to contact your doctor or health care provider:
Contact your health care provider immediately, day or night, if you should experience any of the following symptoms:
- Shortness of breath, wheezing, difficulty breathing, closing up of the throat, swelling of facial features, hives (possible allergic reaction)
- Fever of 100.4 F (38 C) or higher, chills (possible signs of infection)
- Having thoughts or feeling like you may want to harm yourself or others
- Difficulty breathing, sudden weight gain, swelling, vision changes
- Severe abdominal pain
The following symptoms require medical attention, but are not emergency situations. Contact your health care provider within 24 hours of noticing any of the following:
- Black or tarry stools, or blood in your stools or urine
- Unusual bleeding or bruising
- Abdominal cramping
- Nausea (interferes with ability to eat and unrelieved with prescribed medications)
- Vomiting (more than 4-5 episodes within a 24-hour period)
- Diarrhea (more than 4-6 episodes in a 24-hour period)
- Mouth sores (painful redness, swelling or ulcers)
- Extreme fatigue (inability to perform self-care activities)
- Anxiety, changes in thinking or mood, confusion, difficulty concentrating or trouble sleeping, aggressive or violent behavior, or suicidal thoughts.
- Depressed (interfering with your ability to carry on your regular activities)
- Ringing in the ears, problems with hearing
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes
- Changes in eyesight
Always inform your health care provider if you experience any unusual symptoms.
