{"id":60416,"date":"2023-09-20T21:10:46","date_gmt":"2023-09-21T01:10:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=60416"},"modified":"2024-10-25T10:31:29","modified_gmt":"2024-10-25T14:31:29","slug":"accutane-side-effects","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/accutane-side-effects\/","title":{"rendered":"Accutane side effects and how to avoid them"},"content":{"rendered":"

Accutane<\/span><\/a> (<\/span>isotretinoin<\/span>)<\/span> is a prescription medication in the class of oral <\/span>retinoids<\/span>. It is indicated in the treatment of nodular acne that is resistant to other forms of treatment. <\/span>Accutane<\/span> is not a first-line treatment for acne. Your <\/span>healthcare<\/span> provider<\/span> will try other medications to treat your acne, alone or in combination. You may try several oral and topical acne treatment options before <\/span>Accutane<\/span> is deemed appropriate for your <\/span>severe acne<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Accutane<\/span> works by reducing sebum production on the surface of the skin. Sebum is the medical term for the oily secretions that occur on the skin. Sebum is known to clog pores and hold onto bacteria on the skin’s surface. This propagates the formation of nodular acne.<\/span><\/p>\n

When is it appropriate to use <\/span>Accutane<\/span>? There are a few different factors to this. First, <\/span>Accutane<\/span> is approved for the treatment of a particular type of acne. The acne must consist of multiple nodular lesions where the lesions are 5mm in diameter or more. Patients must be at least 12 years old and verified not pregnant. Female patients must have a <\/span>negative pregnancy test<\/span> before filling each 30-day prescription. This is verified and tracked via a risk evaluation and mitigation strategies (REMS) system known as iPLEDGE that is accessed by <\/span>prescribers<\/span> and pharmacies. Females must also agree to utilize a form of <\/span>contraception<\/span> while on <\/span>Accutane<\/span> or its generic products. It is important that a female patient does not conceive while taking <\/span>Accutane,<\/span> as there is a risk of significant birth defects.<\/span><\/p>\n

Prior to the initiation of <\/span>Accutane<\/span>, patients will try other types of therapy to avoid the potential for <\/span>serious side effects<\/span> if possible. Benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid are two common over-the-counter topical products that many acne patients try first. These can be found in washes, gels, creams, or medicated pads for application. There are also topical <\/span>retinoid<\/span> creams such as Differin (adapalene) and Retin-A (tretinoin). There are a variety of oral antibiotics appropriate for <\/span>acne treatment<\/span> as well. Vibramycin (doxycycline), EES (erythromycin), and Bactrim DS (trimethoprim\/sulfamethoxazole) are each recommended as options by the <\/span>American Academy of <\/span>Dermatology<\/span><\/a>. If these options or a combination are unsuccessful, your prescriber may deem Accutane an appropriate option<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Common side effects<\/span> of <\/span>Accutane<\/span><\/h2>\n

The most common and frequently occurring <\/span>side effects<\/span> of <\/span>Accutane<\/span> are back pain, high <\/span>triglycerides<\/span> (hypertriglyceridemia), and arthralgia. Each of these occurs in more than 1 in 5 patients who take <\/span>Accutane<\/span><\/a>, according to the manufacturer.<\/span><\/p>\n

Other adverse events associated with <\/span>Accutane<\/span> include:<\/span><\/p>\n