Warnings
Isotretinoin (Absorica) Risks, Warnings, and Complications
Isotretinoin can cause or worsen health problems in some people. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other treatment options for severe acne if you are at an increased risk of adverse effects from this drug.
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Precautions Before Starting Isotretinoin (Absorica)
Tell your doctor if you are allergic to isotretinoin, vitamin A, any of the active or inactive ingredients in isotretinoin formulations, or any other drugs. Your pharmacy can give you a list of ingredients.
Give your doctor and pharmacist a complete list of all your medications, including prescription medications, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, supplements, and herbal products. This can help avoid possible interactions.
Give your doctor a complete medical history. Isotretinoin may not be safe for people with certain medical conditions such as mental illness, suicidal ideation, asthma, diabetes, osteoporosis, other conditions that cause weak bones, lipid metabolic disorders, elevated triglycerides, eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, heart disease, or liver disease.
This drug is contraindicated during pregnancy. Do not breastfeed if you are on isotretinoin and for one month after stopping it.
Precautions During Use of Isotretinoin (Absorica)
Keep all your medical and lab appointments while taking isotretinoin.
Isotretinoin can cause unexpected changes in mood and behavior. Tell your doctor if you notice any changes in mental health. Your family should know when and how to seek care if you are unable to do so yourself.
You may experience dry eyes and difficulty wearing contact lenses while on isotretinoin. Tell your doctor if these symptoms are severe.
Isotretinoin can affect your night vision. Be very careful while driving or operating machinery at night until you know how this medicine affects you.
Isotretinoin can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Avoid unnecessary sun exposure, use sunscreen, and wear protective clothing to prevent sunburn.
Do not get any hair removal treatments (waxing, dermabrasion, laser hair removal) while on isotretinoin and for 6 months after stopping treatment as it may result in scarring.
Talk to your doctor about the risks of participating in strenuous physical activities. Isotretinoin can cause weak bones and increase your risk of fractures.
Stop isotretinoin and tell your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while on this medicine.
Tell all your doctors you are on isotretinoin before any surgery, including dental procedures.
Isotretinoin (Absorica) Drug Interactions
Concomitant treatment with certain other drugs can affect how isotretinoin works. A clinically significant interaction with some other medicine can increase the risk of severe adverse effects. Tell your doctor if you are on any of the following medications:
- Medications prescribed for mental illness
- Antiepileptic drugs such as phenytoin (Dilantin)
- Oral corticosteroids such as prednisone, dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexone), and methylprednisolone (Medrol)
- Systemic antibiotics such as tetracycline (Sumycin, Tetrex, others), doxycycline (Monodox, Vibramycin, others), minocycline (Minocin, Vectrin), demeclocycline (Declomycin), and oxytetracycline (Terramycin)
- Vitamin A supplements
The above list may not describe all the potential interactions of isotretinoin. Give your doctor or pharmacist a complete list of your medications, including prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, dietary supplements, and herbal remedies. Also, tell your healthcare professional if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use recreational drugs because some of these substances can cause serious health complications when used with prescription medications.
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