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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
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
refractory 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
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
early Mycosis Fungoides (MF)
, 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 (NB)
, 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
Warnings
Isotretinoin ContraindicationsCondition
Risk Level
Notes
history of basal cell carcinoma
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
Severe Hypersensitivity Reactions
Do Not Combine
Isotretinoin may interact with Pulse Frequency
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
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
Acne Vulgaris
0 Actively Recruiting
Acne Conglobata
0 Actively Recruiting
refractory Acne vulgaris
0 Actively Recruiting
early Mycosis Fungoides (MF)
0 Actively Recruiting
Rosacea
8 Actively Recruiting
Not Applicable, Early Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 4
Sezary Syndrome
18 Actively Recruiting
Phase 2, Phase 1
Neuroblastoma (NB)
1 Actively Recruiting
Early Phase 1
Isotretinoin Reviews: What are patients saying about Isotretinoin?
5Patient Review
3/24/2017 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 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 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 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
3/19/20163.7Patient Review
6/7/2020 I took this medication when I was 16 for acne. It immediately caused erectile dysfunction, which has been a permanent side effect. Additionally, I've experienced bone ache and mood swings, and my brain state is permanently depressed. This was all 12 years ago, and I still experience these problems today. The only upside is that it did fix my acne; however, in retrospect, I would rather have dealt with the acne than the host of other issues this drug has caused me.
3Patient Review
1/20/2020 I've been on this medication for six months and have only had dry skin as a side effect. The worst part has definitely been the fatigue; I haven't felt mentally energized in months. As for results, I had a bad purge period (which is common), but my scarring is now recovering. Hopefully my skin will continue to improve after treatment (which is what I'm told).
2.7Patient Review
11/28/2021 I've started taking a 20mg and 10mg, but have experienced some side effects. My lips are painfully dry and cracked, I'm urinating more frequently throughout the night, and my eyes feel cloudy. Despite this, I'm pressing on because I want clear skin desperately.
2Patient Review
2/18/2020 I experienced some pretty severe side effects, like dry lips, nosebleeds, and stomach pain.
1Patient Review
6/11/2019 I have been taking this medication for the past ten days and I have not seen any improvement.
1Patient Review
12/5/2019 I started taking this medication at a dosage of 30mg per day. I'm 24 years old and only just started experiencing acne in my twenties, when I began working. After the first or second week of taking the drug, my face became darker and started drying out, as well as my lips. By the third or fourth week, breakouts were really starting to build up; my face was all red and I was dealing with back pain, depression, anxiety because of how my face looked. I'll be visiting the doctor again this Saturday to see if there's been any improvement.
Patient Q&A Section about isotretinoin
These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.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