Description
Isotretinoin is a form of vitamin A that is used to treat severe nodular acne that has not responded to other treatments, including antibiotics.
Directions
Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
Each prescription of isotretinoin must be filled within 7 days of the date it was written 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. Do not chew or suck on the capsule. Swallow it whole.
Follow all directions about taking isotretinoin with or without food.
Use isotretinoin for the full prescribed length of time. Your acne may seem to get worse at first, but should then begin to improve.
You may need frequent blood tests.
Never share this medicine with another person, even if they have the same symptoms you have.
Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.
Ingredients
sotretinoin. Nonmedicinal ingredients: stearoyl macrogolglycerides, soybean oil, sorbitan monooleate, and propyl gallate. The gelatin capsules contain iron oxide (yellow) and titanium dioxide.
Cautions
Isotretinoin in just a single dose can cause severe birth defects or death of a baby. Never use isotretinoin if you are pregnant or able to become pregnant.
You must have a negative pregnancy test before taking isotretinoin. You will also be required to use two forms of birth control to prevent pregnancy while taking this medicine. Stop using isotretinoin and call your doctor at once if you think you might be pregnant.
Side Effects
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).
Isotretinoin may cause serious side effects. Stop using isotretinoin and call your doctor at once if you have:
problems with your vision or hearing;
muscle or joint pain, bone pain, back pain;
increased thirst, increased urination;
hallucinations, (see or hearing things that are not real);
symptoms of depression--unusual mood changes, crying spells, feelings of low self-worth, loss of interest in things you once enjoyed, new sleep problems, thoughts about hurting yourself;
signs of liver or pancreas problems--loss of appetite, upper stomach pain (that may spread to your back), nausea or vomiting, fast heart rate, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
severe stomach problems--severe stomach or chest pain, pain when swallowing, heartburn, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, bloody or tarry stools; or
increased pressure inside the skull--severe headaches, ringing in your ears, dizziness, nausea, vision problems, pain behind your eyes.
Common side effects of isotretinoin may include:
dryness of your skin, lips, eyes, or nose (you may have nosebleeds);
vision problems;
headache, back pain, joint pain, muscle problems;
skin reactions; or
cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Product Code : 13723