Case Evaluation

Accutane: Frequently Asked Questions About Accutane

What is Accutane?

Accutane is a medicine taken by mouth to treat the most severe form of acne (nodular acne) that cannot be cleared up by any other acne treatments, including antibiotics. Accutane can cause serious side effects.

What is severe nodular acne?

Severe nodular acne is when many red, swollen, tender lumps form in the skin. These can be the size of pencil erasers or larger. If untreated, nodular acne can lead to permanent scars.

Who should not take Accutane?

Do not take Accutane if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or become pregnant during Accutane treatment. Accutane causes severe birth defects.

Do not take Accutane if you are allergic to anything in it. Accutane contains parabens as the preservative.

What should I tell my doctor before taking Accutane?

Tell your doctor if you or a family member has any of the following health conditions:

  • mental problems
  • asthma
  • liver disease
  • diabetes
  • heart disease
  • bone loss (osteoporosis) or weak bones
  • an eating problem called anorexia nervosa (where people eat too little),
  • food or medicine allergies

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Accutane must not be used by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Tell your doctor about all of the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements. Accutane and certain other medicines can interact with each other, sometimes causing serious side effects. Especially tell your doctor if you take:

  • Vitamin A supplements. Vitamin A in high doses has many of the same side effects as Accutane. Taking both together may increase your chance of getting side effects.
  • Tetracycline antibiotics. Tetracycline antibiotics taken with Accutane can increase the chances of getting increased pressure in the brain.
  • Progestin-only birth control pills (mini-pills). They may not work while you take Accutane. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure what type you are using.
  • Dilantin (phenytoin). This medicine taken with Accutane may weaken your bones.
  • Corticosteroid medicines. These medicines taken with Accutane may weaken your bones.
  • St. John’s Wort. This herbal supplement may make birth control pills work less effectively.

These medicines should not be used with Accutane unless your doctor tells you it is okay.

Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show to your doctor and pharmacist. Do not take any new medicine without talking with your doctor.

How should I take Accutane?

You must take Accutane exactly as prescribed. The amount of Accutane you take has been specially chosen for you. It is based on your body weight, and may change during treatment.

If you miss a dose, just skip that dose. Do not take 2 doses at the same time.

If you take too much Accutane or overdose, call your doctor or poison control center right away.

Your acne may get worse when you first start taking Accutane. This should last only a short while. Talk with your doctor if this is a problem for you.

You must return to your doctor as directed to make sure you don’t have signs of serious side effects. Your doctor may do blood tests to check for serious side effects from Accutane. Female patients who can get pregnant will get a pregnancy test each month.

If you have sex at any time without using 2 forms of effective birth control, get pregnant, or miss your expected period, stop using Accutane and call your doctor right away.

What should I avoid while taking Accutane?

Do not get pregnant while taking Accutane and for 1 month after stopping Accutane.

Do not breast feed while taking Accutane and for 1 month after stopping Accutane. We do not know if Accutane can pass through your milk and harm the baby.

Do not give blood while you take Accutane and for 1 month after stopping Accutane. If someone who is pregnant gets your donated blood, her baby may be exposed to Accutane and may be born with birth defects.

Do not take other medicines or herbal products with Accutane unless you talk to your doctor.

Do not drive at night until you know if Accutane has affected your vision. Accutane may decrease your ability to see in the dark.

Do not have cosmetic procedures to smooth your skin, including waxing, dermabrasion, or laser procedures, while you are using Accutane and for at least 6 months after you stop. Accutane can increase your chance of scarring from these procedures.

Check with your doctor for advice about when you can have cosmetic procedures.

Avoid sunlight and ultraviolet lights as much as possible. Tanning machines use ultraviolet lights. Accutane may make your skin more sensitive to light.

Do not share Accutane with other people. It can cause birth defects and other serious health problems.

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