Accutane

Sezary Syndrome, Acne Vulgaris, Acne Conglobata + 4 more

Treatment

11 Active Studies for Accutane

What is Accutane

Isotretinoin

The Generic name of this drug

Treatment Summary

Isotretinoin is a derivative of vitamin A used to treat severe and resistant acne. It was previously sold under the brand name Accutane, but this brand has been discontinued. Isotretinoin is a very powerful drug with serious risks if taken during pregnancy, so it must be obtained through the iPLEDGE program in the United States. It was first approved by the FDA in 1982.

Accutane

is the brand name

image of different drug pills on a surface

Accutane Overview & Background

Brand Name

Generic Name

First FDA Approval

How many FDA approvals?

Accutane

Isotretinoin

1982

78

Effectiveness

How Accutane Affects Patients

The exact way isotretinoin works is not fully understood.

How Accutane works in the body

Isotretinoin works to clear up acne by altering the cell cycle and cell differentiation, causing cell death and reducing sebum production. It also reduces the formation of comedones, which are small bumps on the skin, by an unknown mechanism. Isotretinoin doesn't kill bacteria directly, but it does make the environment less hospitable for them. It may also help the immune system fight off the bacteria and reduce inflammation. Studies suggest that isotretinoin may interact with a protein called FoxO1, which could explain many of its effects.

When to interrupt dosage

The measure of Accutane is contingent upon the determined affliction, like Acne conglobata, Acne Vulgaris and Pregnancy. The amount also deviates per the delivery approach (e.g. Capsule - Oral or Capsule) featured in the table beneath.

Condition

Dosage

Administration

Sezary Syndrome

, 10.0 mg, 20.0 mg, 40.0 mg, 30.0 mg, 0.05 %, 25.0 mg, 35.0 mg, 8.0 mg, 24.0 mg, 28.0 mg, 16.0 mg, 32.0 mg

Oral, Capsule, , Capsule - Oral, Capsule, liquid filled - Oral, Capsule, liquid filled, Capsule, gelatin coated - Oral, Capsule, gelatin coated, Gel - Topical, Topical, Gel

Acne Conglobata

, 10.0 mg, 20.0 mg, 40.0 mg, 30.0 mg, 0.05 %, 25.0 mg, 35.0 mg, 8.0 mg, 24.0 mg, 28.0 mg, 16.0 mg, 32.0 mg

Oral, Capsule, , Capsule - Oral, Capsule, liquid filled - Oral, Capsule, liquid filled, Capsule, gelatin coated - Oral, Capsule, gelatin coated, Gel - Topical, Topical, Gel

Rosacea

, 10.0 mg, 20.0 mg, 40.0 mg, 30.0 mg, 0.05 %, 25.0 mg, 35.0 mg, 8.0 mg, 24.0 mg, 28.0 mg, 16.0 mg, 32.0 mg

Oral, Capsule, , Capsule - Oral, Capsule, liquid filled - Oral, Capsule, liquid filled, Capsule, gelatin coated - Oral, Capsule, gelatin coated, Gel - Topical, Topical, Gel

Acne Vulgaris

, 10.0 mg, 20.0 mg, 40.0 mg, 30.0 mg, 0.05 %, 25.0 mg, 35.0 mg, 8.0 mg, 24.0 mg, 28.0 mg, 16.0 mg, 32.0 mg

Oral, Capsule, , Capsule - Oral, Capsule, liquid filled - Oral, Capsule, liquid filled, Capsule, gelatin coated - Oral, Capsule, gelatin coated, Gel - Topical, Topical, Gel

Neuroblastoma

, 10.0 mg, 20.0 mg, 40.0 mg, 30.0 mg, 0.05 %, 25.0 mg, 35.0 mg, 8.0 mg, 24.0 mg, 28.0 mg, 16.0 mg, 32.0 mg

Oral, Capsule, , Capsule - Oral, Capsule, liquid filled - Oral, Capsule, liquid filled, Capsule, gelatin coated - Oral, Capsule, gelatin coated, Gel - Topical, Topical, Gel

Mycosis Fungoides

, 10.0 mg, 20.0 mg, 40.0 mg, 30.0 mg, 0.05 %, 25.0 mg, 35.0 mg, 8.0 mg, 24.0 mg, 28.0 mg, 16.0 mg, 32.0 mg

Oral, Capsule, , Capsule - Oral, Capsule, liquid filled - Oral, Capsule, liquid filled, Capsule, gelatin coated - Oral, Capsule, gelatin coated, Gel - Topical, Topical, Gel

Acne Vulgaris

, 10.0 mg, 20.0 mg, 40.0 mg, 30.0 mg, 0.05 %, 25.0 mg, 35.0 mg, 8.0 mg, 24.0 mg, 28.0 mg, 16.0 mg, 32.0 mg

Oral, Capsule, , Capsule - Oral, Capsule, liquid filled - Oral, Capsule, liquid filled, Capsule, gelatin coated - Oral, Capsule, gelatin coated, Gel - Topical, Topical, Gel

Warnings

Accutane Contraindications

Condition

Risk Level

Notes

Severe Hypersensitivity Reactions

Do Not Combine

Isotretinoin may interact with Pulse Frequency

Carcinoma, Basal Cell

Do Not Combine

Squamous cell carcinoma

Do Not Combine

history of squamous cell

Do Not Combine

family history of basal cell carcinoma

Do Not Combine

There are 20 known major drug interactions with Accutane.

Common Accutane Drug Interactions

Drug Name

Risk Level

Description

Clomocycline

Major

The risk or severity of pseudotumor cerebri can be increased when Isotretinoin is combined with Clomocycline.

Demeclocycline

Major

The risk or severity of pseudotumor cerebri can be increased when Isotretinoin is combined with Demeclocycline.

Doxycycline

Major

The risk or severity of pseudotumor cerebri can be increased when Isotretinoin is combined with Doxycycline.

Eravacycline

Major

The risk or severity of pseudotumor cerebri can be increased when Isotretinoin is combined with Eravacycline.

Metacycline

Major

The risk or severity of pseudotumor cerebri can be increased when Isotretinoin is combined with Metacycline.

Accutane Toxicity & Overdose Risk

Overdosing on isotretinoin may result in vomiting, flushed skin, cracked lips, stomach pain, headache, dizziness, and lack of coordination. Generally, no treatment is needed for these overdoses. In children, the lowest dose that causes toxic effects is 30mg/kg/21W, in men it is 24mg/kg/4W, and in women it is 56mg/kg/8W. The toxic dose for rats is 901mg/kg when taken orally and 3389mg/kg when taken intraperitoneally. Isotretinoin has been linked to major birth defects, miscarriages

image of a doctor in a lab doing drug, clinical research

Accutane Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Accutane?

65 active investigations are assessing the potential of Accutane to ameliorate Rosacea, Neuroblastoma (NB) and Acne conglobata.

Condition

Clinical Trials

Trial Phases

Mycosis Fungoides

0 Actively Recruiting

Sezary Syndrome

9 Actively Recruiting

Phase 2, Phase 1

Rosacea

2 Actively Recruiting

Early Phase 1, Phase 2

Acne Vulgaris

0 Actively Recruiting

Acne Conglobata

0 Actively Recruiting

Acne Vulgaris

0 Actively Recruiting

Neuroblastoma

0 Actively Recruiting

Accutane Reviews: What are patients saying about Accutane?

5

Patient Review

7/25/2021

Accutane for Severe Difficult to Treat Nodular Acne

Accutane was a life-changing experience for me. After 12 years of struggling with cystic acne, I finally found something that worked. Not only did it clear up my skin, but it also boosted my confidence immensely. There were a few minor side effects like temporary achy joints/bones and stiff muscles, and of course dry lips, but they were 100% worth it! My only regret is not taking it sooner.

5

Patient Review

9/19/2022

Accutane for Severe Difficult to Treat Nodular Acne

I took this medication for three months and it cleared up my acne, which I had been struggling with for four years. I'm 19 years old, I bodybuild, and have a healthy diet. Good luck!

4.3

Patient Review

9/1/2022

Accutane for Severe Difficult to Treat Nodular Acne

This was one of the best decisions I've ever made. My self-confidence took a severe hit when my acne started, but after just six months on Accutane, my face was completely clear! And it's been seven years now with no sign of the acne returning.

3.3

Patient Review

12/16/2021

Accutane for Severe Difficult to Treat Nodular Acne

The medicine is great, but the side effects can be tough to handle when taking 3 40 mg pills a day.

3

Patient Review

7/2/2022

Accutane for Severe Difficult to Treat Nodular Acne

I would urge you to avoid this medication. My son developed psychotic symptoms shortly after completing the treatment, and these effects have been irreversible. I don't understand how this medication is still on the market when there are so many documented cases of mental side effects.

1

Patient Review

1/17/2022

Accutane for Severe Difficult to Treat Nodular Acne

I took this drug for only 17 days and I had to stop because of the incredibly annoying ringing in my ears it caused. 2 years later and the problem still persists. Avoid this drug if you can; the risks far outweigh any potential benefits.
image of drug pills surrounding a glass of water symbolizing drug consumption

Patient Q&A Section about accutane

These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.

Why is Accutane harmful?

"Accutane is a drug used to treat severe acne that is difficult to control. Side effects of the drug can include dry skin, chapped lips, vision problems, and joint pain. More serious side effects of the drug include birth defects, mental health problems, and stomach problems."

Answered by AI

Is Accutane a high risk medication?

"Accutane is a controversial acne drug due to its serious side-effects, including birth defects. However, the drug is also one of the most effective treatments available."

Answered by AI

What are side effects from Accutane?

"Symptoms of dry air may include: dry, cracking, or peeling skin; dry or inflamed eyes; chapped lips; a dry nose, perhaps with nosebleeds; headaches; aches and pains."

Answered by AI

Does Accutane make you fat?

"Accutane is not typically used as a weight-loss drug, though weight loss is not listed as a side effect. It is sometimes used to treat other skin conditions or forms of cancer."

Answered by AI

Is Accutane worth acne?

"Approximately 50% of individuals who utilize Accutane for the treatment of severe acne find that their skin clears to the point that they no longer need to treat acne."

Answered by AI

What does Accutane do permanently?

"This medication is taken for four to five months. The acne will start to clear up in one to two months for most people. The majority of people taking this medication will see a permanent reduction in acne of 80 percent."

Answered by AI

What does Accutane do?

"This medication is used to treat severe cystic acne that has not responded to other treatments. It belongs to a class of drugs known as retinoids."

Answered by AI

Clinical Trials for Accutane

Have you considered Accutane clinical trials?

We made a collection of clinical trials featuring Accutane, we think they might fit your search criteria.
Go to Trials

Have you considered Accutane clinical trials?

We made a collection of clinical trials featuring Accutane, we think they might fit your search criteria.
Go to Trials
Image of Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center in Los Angeles, United States.

Talimogene Laherparepvec + Nivolumab for Skin Cancer and Lymphoma

18+
All Sexes
Los Angeles, CA

This phase II trial studies how well talimogene laherparepvec and nivolumab work in treating patients with lymphomas that do not responded to treatment (refractory) or non-melanoma skin cancers that have spread to other places in the body (advanced) or do not responded to treatment. Biological therapies, such as talimogene laherparepvec, use substances made from living organisms that may stimulate or suppress the immune system in different ways and stop tumor cells from growing. Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as nivolumab, may help the body's immune system attack the cancer, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Giving talimogene laherparepvec and nivolumab may work better compared to usual treatments in treating patients with lymphomas or non-melanoma skin cancers.

Phase 2
Waitlist Available

Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center (+40 Sites)

Ann (Annie) W Silk