What is Accutane
Accutane is a form of vitamin A. It decreases the amount
of sebum (oil) that is released by the sebaceous (oil) glands,
and it increases that rate at which the skin renews itself.
Accutane is used to treat severe nodular acne that has not
responded to other treatments, including antibiotics.
Accutane may also be used for purposes other than those
listed in this medication guide.
General medical information about Accutane
Accutane
is a medication taken to treat severe nodular acne that has
not been helped by other treatments, including antibiotics.
However, Accutane can cause serious side effects. Before starting
treatment with Accutane, discuss with your doctor how bad
the acne is, the possible benefits of Accutane, and the possible
side effects. Your doctor will ask you to read and sign a
form indicating that you understand the serious risks associated
with Accutane therapy.
Do
not take Accutane if you are pregnant or if you could become
pregnant during treatment or for one month after you stop
taking Accutane. Accutane is in the FDA pregnancy category
X. This means that Accutane is known to cause severe birth
defects in an unborn baby. It can also cause miscarriage,
premature birth, or death of the baby. You must take a pregnancy
test and have negative results when you and your doctor decide
that Accutane may be beneficial for your condition. You must
have a second pregnancy test with negative results during
the first 5 days of the menstrual period right before you
start taking Accutane. Two reliable forms of birth control
must be used at the same time (unless abstinence is the chosen
method of birth control or if you have undergone a hysterectomy)
for one month before starting treatment with Accutane, during
treatment with Accutane, and for at least 1 month following
the end of treatment. You will also be asked to take a pregnancy
test on a monthly basis. Your doctor will discuss with you
and provide for you a video and written information regarding
choices for birth control, possible causes for birth control
failure, and the importance of using birth control while taking
Accutane. If you become pregnant, stop using birth control,
or miss your menstrual period, immediately stop taking Accutane
and notify your doctor.
Some
patients have experienced depression (including feelings of
sadness, irritability, unusual tiredness, trouble concentrating,
and loss of appetite) and suicidal thoughts and/or behavior
during, and soon after stopping, treatment with Accutane.
Notify your doctor immediately if you begin to experience
signs of depression or if you begin to have thoughts about
taking your own life during or shortly following treatment
with Accutane.
Do
not take vitamin supplements containing vitamin A during treatment
with Accutane. This could cause increased side effects.
Do
not donate blood while taking Accutane and for at least 1
month following the end of treatment. Blood donated while
taking Accutane may be given to a pregnant woman and be harmful
to her baby.
Do
not use wax hair removal systems or have any skin resurfacing
procedures (such as dermabrasion or laser treatment) performed
while taking Accutane and for six months following treatment
due to the possibility of scarring.
Avoid
exposure to sunlight or UV rays while taking Accutane. Accutane
may increase the sensitivity of the skin to sunlight and a
severe sunburn could result.
Use
caution when driving a vehicle at night. Accutane can cause
decreased night vision. The onset of decreased night vision
may be sudden.
Take
all of the Accutane that has been prescribed for you even
if your symptoms start to improve. The acne may seem to get
worse at the start of therapy, but should then begin to improve.
For the best results, finish all of the medication that has
been prescribed. You may require more than one course of therapy
with Accutane.
What you should find out before taking Accutane
Before taking Accutane, tell your doctor if you have:
- a personal or family history of mental problems including
depression, suicidal behavior, or psychosis (loss of contact
with reality, hearing voices, or seeing things that are
not there);
- diabetes;
- asthma;
- heart disease;
- osteoporosis (bone loss) or weak bones;
- anorexia nervosa;
- high cholesterol or triglyceride levels (types of fat)
in the blood; or
- liver disease.
You may not be able to take Accutane, or you may require
a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment
if you have any of the conditions listed above.
Do not take Accutane if you are pregnant or if you could
become pregnant during treatment or for one month after
you stop taking Accutane. Accutane is in the FDA pregnancy
category X. This means that Accutane is known to cause severe
birth defects in an unborn baby. It can also cause miscarriage,
premature birth, or death of the baby. You must take a pregnancy
test and have negative results when you and your doctor
decide that Accutane may be beneficial for your condition.
You must have a second pregnancy test with negative results
during the first 5 days of the menstrual period right before
you start taking Accutane. Two reliable forms of birth control
must be used at the same time (unless abstinence is the
chosen method of birth control or if you have undergone
a hysterectomy) for one month before starting treatment
with Accutane, during treatment with Accutane, and for at
least 1 month following the end of treatment. You will also
be asked to take a pregnancy test on a monthly basis. Your
doctor will discuss with you and provide for you a video
and written information regarding choices for birth control,
possible causes for birth control failure, and the importance
of using birth control while taking Accutane. If you become
pregnant, stop using birth control, or miss your menstrual
period, immediately stop taking Accutane and notify your
doctor.
It is not known whether Accutane passes into breast milk.
Do not take Accutane without first talking to your doctor
if you are breast-feeding a baby. How should take Accutane?
Take Accutane exactly as directed by your doctor. If you
do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist,
nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
Accutane is a medication taken to treat severe nodular acne
that has not been helped by other treatments, including
antibiotics. However, Accutane can cause serious side effects.
Before starting treatment with Accutane, discuss with your
doctor how bad the acne is, the possible benefits of Accutane
and the possible side effects. Your doctor will ask you
to read and sign a form indicating that you understand the
serious risks associated with Accutane therapy.
You will get no more than a 30-day supply of Accutane at
a time. Your prescription should have a special yellow self-adhesive
sticker attached to it. If your prescription does not have
this yellow sticker, call your doctor. The pharmacy should
not fill the prescription without this sticker.
Take each dose of Accutane with a full glass of water. This
will help prevent the medication inside the capsule from
irritating the lining of the esophagus. For the same reason,
do not chew or suck on the capsule.
Take Accutane twice a day with food or milk to get the best
results from this medication, unless otherwise directed
by your doctor.
Take all of the Accutane that has been prescribed for you
even if your symptoms start to improve. The acne may seem
to get worse at the start of therapy, but should then begin
to improve. For the best results, finish all of the medication
that has been prescribed. You may require more than one
course of therapy with Accutane.
Your doctor may perform blood tests during treatment with
Accutane to monitor side effects from this medication.
Due to the serious side effects that may occur with the
use of this medication, do not share it with anyone else.
Store Accutane at room temperature away from moisture and
heat.
If you miss a dose:
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if
it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose
and only take the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not
take a double dose of this medication.
What happens if you overdose:
Seek emergency medical attention.
Symptoms
of an Accutane overdose include vomiting, abdominal pain,
flushing of the face, inflammation of the lips, headache,
dizziness, and clumsiness.
Avoid while taking Accutane
Do not take vitamin supplements containing vitamin A during
treatment with Accutane. This could cause increased side
effects.
Do not donate blood while taking Accutane and for at least
1 month following the end of treatment. Blood donated while
taking Accutane may be given to a pregnant woman and be
harmful to her baby.
Do not use wax hair removal systems or have any skin resurfacing
procedures (such as dermabrasion or laser treatment) performed
while taking Accutane and for six months following treatment
due to the possibility of scarring.
Avoid exposure to sunlight or UV rays while taking Accutane.
Accutane may increase the sensitivity of the skin to sunlight
and a severe sunburn could result.
Use caution when driving a
vehicle at night. Accutane can cause decreased night vision.
The onset of decreased night vision may be sudden.
Possible side effects of Accutane
Stop taking Accutane and seek emergency medical attention
or contact your doctor immediately if you experience any
of the following serious side effects:
- an allergic
reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling
of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
- changes
in vision, blurred vision, or decreased vision (especially
at night);
- painful or constant dryness of the eyes;
- depression including feelings of sadness, crying
spells, irritability, changes in sleep patterns, unusual
tiredness, trouble concentrating, loss of appetite, and/or
suicidal thoughts or other mental problems;
- stomach,
chest, or bowel pain;
- rectal bleeding, or severe
or bloody diarrhea;
- difficulty or pain when swallowing;
- new or worsening heartburn;
- yellowing
of the skin or eyes or persistently dark urine;
-
severe headache or dizziness;
- seizures;
-
nausea and vomiting;
- joint or muscle pain or bone
problems;
- hearing problems or hearing loss;
-
trouble breathing;
- fainting;
- increased
thirst or urination;
- slurred speech or problems
moving;
- leg swelling;
- increased levels
of cholesterol or triglyceride (types of fat) in your blood
(detected by blood tests).
Other, less serious side
effects are more likely to occur. Continue to take Accutane
and talk to your doctor if you experience
- inflammation,
dryness, or cracking of the lips;
- dry skin, dry
mouth, dry or bleeding nose, dryness of the eyes and/or
difficulty wearing contact lenses;
- itching; or
- increased sensitivity of the skin to the sun.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur.
Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual
or that is especially bothersome.
What other drugs will affect Accutane
Do not take any of the following medicines while taking
Accutane:
- vitamin supplements containing vitamin A; or
- a tetracycline antibiotic such as tetracycline (Sumycin,
Achromycin, Panmycin, Robitet, others), minocycline (Minocin,
Dynacin, Vectrin), doxycycline (Doryx, Monodox, Vibramycin,
Vibra-Tabs), demeclocycline (Declomycin), or troleandomycin
(TAO).
Taking any of the drugs listed above during treatment with
Accutane may be dangerous.
Before taking Accutane, tell your doctor if you are taking
carbamazepine (Tegretol, Carbatrol, Epitol). You may require
a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment.
Do not use other acne medications unless otherwise directed
by your doctor. They may interfere with the treatment or
increase irritation of the skin.
Do not take birth control pills that do not contain estrogen
("minipills") during treatment with Accutane.
They may not work while taking Accutane.
Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with
Accutane. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking
any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including
herbal products.
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