Case Evaluation

Accutane: Introduction to Accutane

ACCUTANE (ACK-U-TANE)

(isotretinoin capsules)

Read the Medication Guide that comes with Accutane before you start taking it and each time you get a prescription. There may be new information. This information does not take the place of talking with your doctor about your medical condition or your treatment.

What is the most important information I should know about Accutane?

  • Accutane is used to treat a type of severe acne (nodular acne) that has not been helped by other treatments, including antibiotics.
  • Accutane may cause serious mental health problems.

Birth defects (deformed babies), loss of a baby before birth (miscarriage), death of the baby, and early (premature) births. Female patients who are pregnant or who plan to become pregnant must not take Accutane. Female patients must not get pregnant:

  • for 1 month before starting Accutane
  • while taking Accutane
  • for 1 month after stopping Accutane.

If you get pregnant while taking Accutane, stop taking it right away and call your doctor.

Serious mental health problems. Accutane may cause:

  • depression
  • psychosis (seeing or hearing things that are not real)
  • suicide.

Some patients taking Accutane have had thoughts about hurting themselves or putting an end to their own lives (suicidal thoughts). Some people tried to end their own lives. And some people have ended their own lives.

Stop Accutane and call your doctor right away if you or a family member notices that you have any of the following signs and symptoms of depression or psychosis:

  • start to feel sad or have crying spells
  • lose interest in activities you once enjoyed
  • sleep too much or have trouble sleeping
  • become more irritable, angry, or aggressive than usual (for example, temper outbursts, thoughts of violence)
  • have a change in your appetite or body weight
  • have trouble concentrating
  • withdraw from your friends or family
  • feel like you have no energy
  • have feelings of worthlessness or guilt
  • start having thoughts about hurting yourself or taking your own life (suicidal thoughts)
  • start acting on dangerous impulses
  • start seeing or hearing things that are not real

After stopping Accutane, you may also need follow-up mental health care if you had any of these symptoms.

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