Isotretinoin

Sezary Syndrome, Acne Vulgaris, Acne Conglobata + 4 more
Treatment
13 Active Studies for Isotretinoin

What is Isotretinoin

IsotretinoinThe Generic name of this drug
Treatment SummaryIsotretinoin is a type of vitamin A used to treat severe acne that is resistant to other treatments. It was originally sold under the brand name Accutane, but is no longer available due to its high risk of causing birth defects. In the United States, Isotretinoin is only available through a special program called iPLEDGE. It was first approved by the FDA in 1982.
Accutaneis the brand name
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Isotretinoin Overview & Background
Brand Name
Generic Name
First FDA Approval
How many FDA approvals?
Accutane
Isotretinoin
1982
78

Effectiveness

How Isotretinoin Affects PatientsWe don't understand how isotretinoin affects the body in terms of its pharmacodynamics.
How Isotretinoin works in the bodyIsotretinoin works to reduce acne by affecting the cell cycle, cell differentiation, and apoptosis. It does this by stopping the production of sebum and blocking pores, which prevents acne-causing bacteria from growing. Isotretinoin also triggers apoptosis in sebocytes and reduces the formation of comedones through an unknown mechanism. It doesn't kill bacteria directly, but it does make the environment less welcoming for them. It may also boost your immune system and reduce inflammation. Early research suggests it may interact with a protein called FoxO1, which could explain some of its effects.

When to interrupt dosage

The amount of Isotretinoin is reliant upon the denoted condition, such as Acne conglobata, Acne Vulgaris and Pregnancy. The measure of dosage fluctuates, in accordance with the method of distribution (e.g. Capsule - Oral or Capsule) enumerated 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, Capsule, liquid filled - Oral, Capsule, gelatin coated, Capsule, gelatin coated - Oral, Topical, Gel, Gel - Topical
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, Capsule, liquid filled - Oral, Capsule, gelatin coated, Capsule, gelatin coated - Oral, Topical, Gel, Gel - Topical
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, Capsule, liquid filled - Oral, Capsule, gelatin coated, Capsule, gelatin coated - Oral, Topical, Gel, Gel - Topical
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, Capsule, liquid filled - Oral, Capsule, gelatin coated, Capsule, gelatin coated - Oral, Topical, Gel, Gel - Topical
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, Capsule, liquid filled - Oral, Capsule, gelatin coated, Capsule, gelatin coated - Oral, Topical, Gel, Gel - Topical
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, Capsule, liquid filled - Oral, Capsule, gelatin coated, Capsule, gelatin coated - Oral, Topical, Gel, Gel - Topical
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, Capsule, liquid filled - Oral, Capsule, gelatin coated, Capsule, gelatin coated - Oral, Topical, Gel, Gel - Topical

Warnings

Isotretinoin Contraindications
Condition
Risk Level
Notes
Carcinoma, Basal Cell
Do Not Combine
Severe Hypersensitivity Reactions
Do Not Combine
Isotretinoin may interact with Pulse Frequency
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 Isotretinoin.
Common Isotretinoin 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.
Isotretinoin Toxicity & Overdose RiskOverdosing on isotretinoin may cause vomiting, flushed skin, dry lips, stomach pain, headaches, dizziness, and difficulty with coordination. The lowest toxic dose for children is 30mg/kg/21W, 24mg/kg/4W for men, and 56mg/kg/8W for women. Animal studies have found that doses higher than the recommended clinical dose may lead to tumor growth, and testicular atrophy in dogs. There is no evidence that isotretinoin has any mutagenic or clastogenic effects. In trials with men, there were no effects seen on sperm count or other
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Isotretinoin Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Isotretinoin?

Currently, 65 active studies are being conducted to assess the potential of Isotretinoin to provide relief from Rosacea, Neuroblastoma (NB) and Acne conglobata.
Condition
Clinical Trials
Trial Phases
Mycosis Fungoides
0 Actively Recruiting
Sezary Syndrome
10 Actively Recruiting
Phase 2, Phase 1
Rosacea
4 Actively Recruiting
Not Applicable, Early Phase 1, Phase 2
Acne Vulgaris
0 Actively Recruiting
Acne Conglobata
0 Actively Recruiting
Acne Vulgaris
0 Actively Recruiting
Neuroblastoma
0 Actively Recruiting

Isotretinoin Reviews: What are patients saying about Isotretinoin?

5Patient Review
3/24/2017
Isotretinoin for Severe Difficult to Treat Nodular Acne
I've been on this medication for a couple months now, and I haven't had any serious side effects. My face and lips get really dry, though, so I'd recommend using Cetaphil face moisturizer and Dr. Dan's CortiBalm chapstick.
5Patient Review
6/26/2016
Isotretinoin for Severe Difficult to Treat Nodular Acne
I've been using this treatment for acne for about four months now, and I'm really happy with the results. My doctor warned me that one of the side effects is chapped lips, but so far that's the only problem I've had.
5Patient Review
4/7/2021
Isotretinoin for Severe Difficult to Treat Nodular Acne
I tried this treatment in my early twenties when I developed severe acne. It worked better than any other cream or pill I had tried, with the only side effects being dry lips and nose. My hair also became very oily, but that was a small price to pay for clear skin!
5Patient Review
8/9/2022
Isotretinoin for Severe Difficult to Treat Nodular Acne
Epuris was a game-changer for me. I had cystic acne that doctors couldn't figure out how to treat, so they put me on this medication as sort of a last resort. It took a few months for my skin to really clear up, but it was well worth the wait. My skin is still looking good even though I've been off the medication for a month now.
4.7Patient Review
3/19/2016
Isotretinoin for Severe Difficult to Treat Nodular Acne
View All Reviews
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Patient Q&A Section about isotretinoin

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

Is isotretinoin good for skin?

"Dermatologists prescribe isotretinoin to treat severe acne. When other treatments fail, this medication can diminish or clear acne and prevent new acne scars. You may have heard this medication called Accutane instead of isotretinoin."

Answered by AI

What does isotretinoin do to your body?

"Isotretinoin helps to reduce acne by shrinking the size of the sebaceous glands in the skin. These glands are responsible for producing sebum, the oily substance in skin that can clog pores and cause pimples. When the sebum is kept under control, breakouts will stop occurring."

Answered by AI

Why you should not take isotretinoin?

"This medication may cause problems with bones or muscles, including pain in the joints, muscles, or difficulty moving. There is also a greater risk of being injured during physical activity. In children, this drug may stunt growth."

Answered by AI

Is isotretinoin the same as Accutane?

"It's a pill taken daily for 16 to 20 weeks.

Isotretinoin is a drug used to treat a severe form of acne known as nodular acne. The drug is taken in pill form on a daily basis for 16 to 20 weeks. Accutane was the brand name for isotretinoin in the United States, but the brand is no longer available. The generic form of the drug as well as other brand name versions, such as Absorica, are still available."

Answered by AI

Clinical Trials for Isotretinoin

Have you considered Isotretinoin clinical trials? We made a collection of clinical trials featuring Isotretinoin, we think they might fit your search criteria.
Have you considered Isotretinoin clinical trials? We made a collection of clinical trials featuring Isotretinoin, we think they might fit your search criteria.
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