isotretinoin (oral)

Isotretinoin can cause severe, life-threatening birth defects if the mother takes the medication during pregnancy. Even one dose of isotretinoin can cause major birth defects of the baby's ears, eyes, face, skull, heart, and brain. Never use isotretinoin if you are pregnant.

Women of child-bearing potential must agree in writing to use two specific forms of birth control and have regular pregnancy tests before, during, and after taking isotretinoin. Unless you have had a total hysterectomy or have been in menopause for at least a year, you are considered to be of child-bearing potential.

Isotretinoin is available only under a special program called iPLEDGE. You must be registered in the program and sign agreements to use birth control and undergo pregnancy testing as required by the program. Read all program brochures and agreements carefully.

It is dangerous to try and purchase isotretinoin on the Internet or from vendors outside of the United States. The sale and distribution of isotretinoin outside of the iPLEDGE program violates the regulations of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the safe use of this medication.

Isotretinoin is a form of vitamin A. It reduces the amount of oil released by oil glands in your skin, and helps your skin renew itself more quickly.

Isotretinoin is used to treat severe nodular acne. It is usually given after other acne medicines or antibiotics have been tried without successful treatment of symptoms.

Isotretinoin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Isotretinoin is available only under a special program called iPLEDGE. You must be registered in the program and sign documents stating that you understand the dangers of this medication and that you agree to use birth control as required by the program. Read all of the iPLEDGE program brochures and agreements carefully. Ask your doctor or call the drug maker if you have questions about the program or the written requirements.

It is dangerous to try and purchase isotretinoin on the Internet or from vendors outside of the United States. The sale and distribution of isotretinoin outside of the iPLEDGE program violates the regulations of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the safe use of this medication.

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to isotretinoin or to parabens, or if you are pregnant or may become pregnant.

Before taking isotretinoin, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any foods or drugs, or if you have:

• a personal or family history of depression or mental illness;
• heart diease, high cholesterol or triglycerides;
• osteoporosis or other bone disorders;
• diabetes;
• asthma;
• an eating disroder (anorexia nervosa); or
• liver disease.

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take isotretinoin.

Isotretinoin can cause severe, life-threatening birth defects if the mother takes the medication during pregnancy. Even one dose of isotretinoin can cause major birth defects of the baby's ears, eyes, face, skull, heart, and brain. Never use isotretinoin if you are pregnant.

For Women: Unless you have had your uterus and ovaries removed (total hysterectomy) or have been in menopause for at least 12 months in a row, you are considered to be of child-bearing potential.

Even women who have had their tubes tied are required to use birth control while taking isotretinoin.

You must have a negative pregnancy test 30 days before you start taking isotretinoin. A pregnancy test is also required before each prescription is refilled, right after you take your last dose of isotretinoin, and again 30 days later. All pregnancy testing is required by the iPLEDGE program.

You must agree in writing to use two specific forms of birth control beginning 30 days before you start taking isotretinoin and ending 30 days after you stop taking it. Both a primary and a secondary form of birth control must be used together.

Primary forms of birth control include:

• tubal ligation (tubes tied);
• vasectomy of the male sexual partner;
• an IUD (intrauterine device);
• estrogen-containing birth control pills (not mini-pills); and
• hormonal birth control patches, implants, injections, or vaginal ring.

Secondary forms of birth control include:

• a male latex condom plus spermicidal foam or gel;
• a diaphragm plus spermicidal foam or gel;
• a cervical cap plus spermicidal foam or gel; and
• a vaginal sponge containing spermicide.

Do not take St. John's wort, an herbal supplement, if you are using any type of hormonal birth control, including pills, patches, implants, injections, or a vaginal ring. Breakthrough bleeding may occur.

Stop using isotretinoin and call your doctor at once if you have unprotected sex, if you quit using birth control, if your period is late, or if you think you might be pregnant.

It is not known whether isotretinoin passes into breast milk. Do not take isotretinoin without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Each prescription of isotretinoin must be filled within 7 days of the date it was prescribed by your doctor. You will receive no more than a 30-day supply of isotretinoin at one time.

Always take isotretinoin with a full glass of water to prevent the capsule from melting in your esophagus (food pipe), causing irritation. Do not chew or suck on the capsule. Swallow it as quickly as possible.

Take isotretinoin with food or milk.

Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your acne may seem to get worse at first, but should then begin to improve.

To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood may need to be tested on a regular basis. Your liver function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

Never share this medicine with another person, even if they have the same symptoms you have.

Store isotretinoin at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

Skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Overdose symptoms may include headache, dizziness, vomiting, stomach pain, warmth or tingling under the skin, swelling of the lips, and loss of balance or coordination.

Do not take vitamin supplements containing vitamin A while you are taking isotretinoin.

Isotretinoin can weaken bones. Avoid sports or activities that may result in injury or bone fracture.

Do not donate blood while taking isotretinoin and for at least 30 days after you stop taking it. Donated blood that is later given to pregnant woman could lead to birth defects in her baby if the blood contains any level of isotretinoin.

Do not use wax hair removers or have dermabrasion or laser skin treatments while you are taking isotretinoin and for at least 6 months after you stop taking it. Scarring may result.

Avoid exposure to sunlight or artificial UV rays (sunlamps or tanning beds). Isotretinoin can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and sunburn may result.

Isotretinoin can cause side effects that may impair your vision, especially at night. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to see clearly.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using isotretinoin and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• depressed mood, trouble concentrating, sleep problems, crying spells, aggression or agitation, changes in behavior, hallucinations, thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself;
• sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body;
• blurred vision, sudden and severe headache or pain behind your eyes, sometimes with vomiting;
• hearing problems, hearing loss, or ringing in your ears;
• seizure (convulsions);
• severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting, fast heart rate;
• loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• severe diarrhea, rectal bleeding, black, bloody, or tarry stools;
• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms, purple spots under your skin, easy bruising or bleeding; or
• joint stiffness, bone pain or fracture.

Less serious side effects may include:

• discomfort with contact lenses;
• joint pain, back pain;
• feeling dizzy, drowsy, or nervous;
• dryness of the lips, mouth, nose, or skin; or
• cracking or peeling skin, itching, rash, changes in your fingernails or toenails.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.

Before taking isotretinoin, tell your doctor if you are also taking:

• steroids (prednisone and others);
• seizure medication such phenytoin (Dilantin); or
• a tetracycline antibiotic such as demeclocycline (Declomycin), doxycycline (Doryx, Vibramycin), minocycline (Minocin), or tetracycline (Brodspec, Sumycin, Tetracap).

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with isotretinoin. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Your pharmacist can provide more information about isotretinoin.