This medication description is not meant for treatment prescription without the intervention of a specialist.

Common Uses

Isotret is a medication used for the treatment of severe acne. It is sometimes used in prevention and treatment of certain skin cancers. In some cases, it is used to treat Harlequin type ichthyosis. It is a retinoid, meaning it derives from vitamin A and is found in small quantities naturally in the body. Isotret may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

How to Take

The dose of Isotret a patient receives is dependent on their weight and the severity of the condition. High dose treatments are administered between 0.5 mg/kg/day to 2 mg/kg/day (usually at 0.5 to 1 mg/kg/day, divided into two doses), for a total treatment of 4–6 months. A second course may be used two months following the cessation of the initial course if severe acne recurs. Efficacy appears to be related to the cumulative dose of Isotret taken, with a total cumulative dose of 120–150 mg/kg used as a guideline. High dose treatments should only be used as a last resort due to adverse side effects.

Other studies show that lower dosage treatments are just as effective. In these experiments, subjects used 20mg/day, which is 0.25 mg/kg/day for an 80 kg (176 pounds) person.

Warning and Precautions

Stop taking Isotret and notify your doctor immediately at the first sign of a skin rash or any other allergic reaction. Although they are rare, serious and even fatal allergic reactions have been known to occur.

When you first start taking Isotret, it is possible that your acne will get worse before it starts to get better.

Isotret may cause depression or other mental problems. In rare cases, it has prompted thoughts of suicide. If you begin to feel depressed or become troubled by suicidal thoughts, contact your doctor immediately.

Before starting Isotret therapy, all patients must sign a consent form noting that they are aware of the possibility of mental side effects, the danger of birth defects, and the need for certain other precautions.

If you are a woman of childbearing age and you are considering taking Isotret, you will be given both spoken and written warnings about the importance of avoiding pregnancy during the treatment.

Missed Dose

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Overdose

Overdosage of Isotret can cause: abdominal pain, dizziness, dry or cracked lips, facial flushing, incoordination and clumsiness, headache, vomiting.

Storage

Store Isotret at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C). Store in a tightly closed container. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Isotret out of the reach of children and away from pets.

Possible Side Effects

More common: bone or joint pain; burning, redness, itching, or other signs of eye inflammation; difficulty in moving; nosebleeds; scaling, redness, burning, pain, or other signs of inflammation of lips; skin infection or rash.

More Information

The information given above is a summary. Your pharmacist can provide more information about Isotret. Do not share this medicine with others for whom it was not prescribed. Do not use this medicine for other health conditions. If using this medicine for an extended period of time, obtain refills before your supply runs out.

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