What Is Isotretinoin (Accutane)?

Potential Side Effects

Isotretinoin appears to carry a variety of potential side effects. The ones that patients seem to report the most include nosebleeds, headaches, and vision issues. Joint and back pain may also be on this list. Most patients appear to deal with some amount of dryness in the skin on their face. This seems to include their lips too. They may also see some dry eyes or a dry nose. Individuals taking this medication may see some common cold symptoms appear also. One example seems to be sneezing.

Patients may need to consider calling their doctor right away about some side effects. Examples of these effects appear to include vision changes, increased urination, and hearing problems. Increased thirst and hallucinations may need this call too. It also seems to apply if patients deal with depression symptoms. There appears to be a risk of pancreas and liver issues with this medicine. Individuals taking it may need to be aware of certain effects due to this. Examples of warning signs could include appetite loss, jaundice, and dark urine. Others may be vomiting, nausea, rapid heart rate, and stomach pain that spreads to the back. Patients may want to call their doctor right away if they deal with any of these. They should consider making this call for stomach problems too. Some of these signs may be swallowing pain, diarrhea, heartburn, and severe stomach pain. These symptoms seem to include severe chest pain, bloody stool, and rectal bleeding too.

Keep reading to uncover potential precautions to consider next.

Potential Precautions To Consider

Individuals who want to take isotretinoin may have several potential precautions to consider. This seems to be because some conditions may make it unsafe for patients. A history of diabetes, asthma, high cholesterol, and heart disease may be examples. Others appear to include a history of inflammatory bowel disease, liver disease, and osteoporosis. Some mental illnesses may make this medication unsafe as well. It also appears to be inappropriate for individuals younger than twelve years old. Thus, patients should consider reviewing their entire medical history with their doctor before taking this medication.

There also appears to be significant precautions that women need to take with this medication. It seems that isotretinoin could trigger miscarriage, birth defects, or premature birth in pregnant women. These effects may happen with a single dose. Thus, this prescription does not appear to be safe for pregnant or breastfeeding women. Women may be obligated to have regular pregnancy tests if they are going to take this medication. These tests may happen before, during, and after treatment. They seem to need two forms of birth control also. Patients should be able to choose to take this medication with or without food. However, they may wish to consult their doctor regarding this. It appears that they need to drink a full glass of water with each dose. Individuals may need regular blood tests as well. Finally, these prescriptions seem to have to be filled within a week of being written. Patients also appear to be limited to a thirty-day supply each time.

Uncover the possible medication interactions next.