Isotretinoin
Sezary Syndrome, Acne Vulgaris, Acne Conglobata + 4 more
Treatment
11 Active Studies for Isotretinoin
Treatment for
Sezary Syndrome
What is Isotretinoin
Isotretinoin
The Generic name of this drug
Treatment Summary
Isotretinoin 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.
Accutane
is 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 Patients
We don't understand how isotretinoin affects the body in terms of its pharmacodynamics.
How Isotretinoin works in the body
Isotretinoin 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, Gel, Gel - Topical, 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, Gel, Gel - Topical, 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, Gel, Gel - Topical, 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, Gel, Gel - Topical, 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, Gel, Gel - Topical, 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, Gel, Gel - Topical, 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, Gel, Gel - Topical, 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 Risk
Overdosing 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
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
Isotretinoin Reviews: What are patients saying about Isotretinoin?
5
Patient Review
3/24/2017
Isotretinoin for Severe Difficult to Treat Nodular Acne
5
Patient Review
6/26/2016
Isotretinoin for Severe Difficult to Treat Nodular Acne
5
Patient Review
4/7/2021
Isotretinoin for Severe Difficult to Treat Nodular Acne
5
Patient Review
8/9/2022
Isotretinoin for Severe Difficult to Treat Nodular Acne
4.7
Patient Review
3/19/2016
Isotretinoin for Severe Difficult to Treat Nodular Acne
3.7
Patient Review
6/7/2020
Isotretinoin for Severe Difficult to Treat Nodular Acne
3
Patient Review
1/20/2020
Isotretinoin for Severe Difficult to Treat Nodular Acne
2.7
Patient Review
11/28/2021
Isotretinoin for Hidradenitis Suppurativa
2
Patient Review
2/18/2020
Isotretinoin for Severe Difficult to Treat Nodular Rosacea
1
Patient Review
6/11/2019
Isotretinoin for Severe Difficult to Treat Nodular Acne
1
Patient Review
12/5/2019
Isotretinoin for Severe Difficult to Treat Nodular Rosacea
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