accutane prescription labeling
isotretinoin (oral)(eye so TREH tih noyn)
What is the most important information I should know about Accutane?
• Accutane is a medication taken to treat severe nodular acne that hasnot been helped by other treatments, including antibiotics accutane prescription labeling. However, Accutanecan cause serious side effects accutane prescription labeling. Before starting treatment with Accutane, discusswith your doctor how bad the acne is, the possible benefits of Accutane, andthe possible side effects accutane prescription labeling. Your doctor will ask you to read and sign a formindicating that you understand the serious risks associated with Accutane therapy accutane prescription labeling.
• Do not take Accutane if you are pregnant or if you could become pregnantduring treatment or for one month after you stop taking Accutane accutane prescription labeling. Accutane isin the FDA pregnancy category X accutane prescription labeling. This means that Accutane is known to causesevere birth defects in an unborn baby accutane prescription labeling. It can also cause miscarriage, prematurebirth, or death of the baby accutane prescription labeling. You must take a pregnancy test and have negativeresults when you and your doctor decide that Accutane may be beneficial foryour condition accutane prescription labeling. You must have a second pregnancy test with negative resultsduring the first 5 days of the menstrual period right before you start takingAccutane accutane prescription labeling. Two reliable forms of birth control must be used at the same time(unless abstinence is the chosen method of birth control or if you have undergonea hysterectomy) for one month before starting treatment with Accutane, duringtreatment with Accutane, and for at least 1 month following the end of treatment accutane prescription labeling. You will also be asked to take a pregnancy test on a monthly basis accutane prescription labeling. Your doctorwill discuss with you and provide for you a video and written information regardingchoices for birth control, possible causes for birth control failure, and theimportance of using birth control while taking Accutane accutane prescription labeling. If you become pregnant,stop using birth control, or miss your menstrual period, immediately stop takingAccutane and notify your doctor accutane prescription labeling.
• Some patients have experienced depression (including feelings of sadness,irritability, unusual tiredness, trouble concentrating, and loss of appetite)and suicidal thoughts and/or behavior during, and soon after stopping, treatmentwith Accutane accutane prescription labeling. Notify your doctor immediately if you begin to experience signsof depression or if you begin to have thoughts about taking your own life duringor shortly following treatment with Accutane accutane prescription labeling.
• Do not take vitamin supplements containing vitamin A during treatmentwith Accutane accutane prescription labeling. This could cause increased side effects accutane prescription labeling.
• Do not donate blood while taking Accutane and for at least 1 month followingthe end of treatment accutane prescription labeling. Blood donated while taking Accutane may be given to apregnant woman and be harmful to her baby accutane prescription labeling.
• Do not use wax hair removal systems or have any skin resurfacing procedures(such as dermabrasion or laser treatment) performed while taking Accutane andfor six months following treatment due to the possibility of scarring accutane prescription labeling.
• Avoid exposure to sunlight or UV rays while taking Accutane accutane prescription labeling. Accutanemay increase the sensitivity of the skin to sunlight and a severe sunburn couldresult accutane prescription labeling.
• Use caution when driving a vehicle at night accutane prescription labeling. Accutane can cause decreasednight vision accutane prescription labeling. The onset of decreased night vision may be sudden accutane prescription labeling.
• Take all of the Accutane that has been prescribed for you even if yoursymptoms start to improve accutane prescription labeling. The acne may seem to get worse at the start of therapy,but should then begin to improve accutane prescription labeling. For the best results, finish all of the medicationthat has been prescribed accutane prescription labeling. You may require more than one course of therapy withAccutane accutane prescription labeling.
What is Accutane?
• Accutane is a form of vitamin A accutane prescription labeling. It decreases the amount of sebum (oil)that is released by the sebaceous (oil) glands, and it increases that rate atwhich the skin renews itself accutane prescription labeling.
• Accutane is used to treat severe nodular acne that has not respondedto other treatments, including antibiotics accutane prescription labeling.
• Accutane may also be used for purposes other than those listed in thismedication guide accutane prescription labeling.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Accutane?
• Before taking Accutane, tell your doctor if you have
· a personal or family history of mental problems including depression,suicidal behavior, or psychosis (loss of contact with reality, hearing voices,or seeing things that are not there);
· diabetes;
· asthma;
· heart disease;
· osteoporosis (bone loss) or weak bones;
· anorexia nervosa;
· high cholesterol or triglyceride levels (types of fat) in the blood;or
· liver disease accutane prescription labeling.
• You may not be able to take Accutane, or you may require a dosage adjustmentor special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listedabove accutane prescription labeling.
• Do not take Accutane if you are pregnant or if you could become pregnantduring treatment or for one month after you stop taking Accutane accutane prescription labeling. Accutane isin the FDA pregnancy category X accutane prescription labeling. This means that Accutane is known to causesevere birth defects in an unborn baby accutane prescription labeling. It can also cause miscarriage, prematurebirth, or death of the baby accutane prescription labeling. You must take a pregnancy test and have negativeresults when you and your doctor decide that Accutane may be beneficial foryour condition accutane prescription labeling. You must have a second pregnancy test with negative resultsduring the first 5 days of the menstrual period right before you start takingAccutane accutane prescription labeling. Two reliable forms of birth control must be used at the same time(unless abstinence is the chosen method of birth control or if you have undergonea hysterectomy) for one month before starting treatment with Accutane, duringtreatment with Accutane, and for at least 1 month following the end of treatment accutane prescription labeling. You will also be asked to take a pregnancy test on a monthly basis accutane prescription labeling. Your doctorwill discuss with you and provide for you a video and written information regardingchoices for birth control, possible causes for birth control failure, and theimportance of using birth control while taking Accutane accutane prescription labeling. If you become pregnant,stop using birth control, or miss your menstrual period, immediately stop takingAccutane and notify your doctor accutane prescription labeling.
• It is not known whether Accutane passes into breast milk accutane prescription labeling. Do not takeAccutane without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby accutane prescription labeling.
How should I take Accutane?
• Take Accutane exactly as directed by your doctor accutane prescription labeling. If you do not understandthese instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them toyou accutane prescription labeling.
• Accutane is a medication taken to treat severe nodular acne that hasnot been helped by other treatments, including antibiotics accutane prescription labeling. However, Accutanecan cause serious side effects accutane prescription labeling. Before starting treatment with Accutane, discusswith your doctor how bad the acne is, the possible benefits of Accutane andthe possible side effects accutane prescription labeling. Your doctor will ask you to read and sign a formindicating that you understand the serious risks associated with Accutane therapy accutane prescription labeling.
• You will get no more than a 30-day supply of Accutane at a time accutane prescription labeling. Yourprescription should have a special yellow self-adhesive sticker attached toit accutane prescription labeling. If your prescription does not have this yellow sticker, call your doctor accutane prescription labeling. The pharmacy should not fill the prescription without this sticker accutane prescription labeling.
• Take each dose of Accutane with a full glass of water accutane prescription labeling. This will helpprevent the medication inside the capsule from irritating the lining of theesophagus accutane prescription labeling. For the same reason, do not chew or suck on the capsule accutane prescription labeling.
• Take Accutane twice a day with food or milk to get the best results fromthis medication, unless otherwise directed by your doctor accutane prescription labeling.
• Take all of the Accutane that has been prescribed for you even if yoursymptoms start to improve accutane prescription labeling. The acne may seem to get worse at the start of therapy,but should then begin to improve accutane prescription labeling. For the best results, finish all of the medicationthat has been prescribed accutane prescription labeling. You may require more than one course of therapy withAccutane accutane prescription labeling.
• Your doctor may perform blood tests during treatment with Accutane tomonitor side effects from this medication accutane prescription labeling.
• Due to the serious side effects that may occur with the use of this medication,do not share it with anyone else accutane prescription labeling.
• Store Accutane at room temperature away from moisture and heat accutane prescription labeling.
What happens if I miss a dose?
• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember accutane prescription labeling. However, if it is almosttime for the next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next regularlyscheduled dose accutane prescription labeling. Do not take a double dose of this medication accutane prescription labeling.
What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention accutane prescription labeling.
• Symptoms of an Accutane overdose include vomiting, abdominal pain, flushingof the face, inflammation of the lips, headache, dizziness, and clumsiness accutane prescription labeling.
What should I avoid while taking Accutane?
• Do not take vitamin supplements containing vitamin A during treatmentwith Accutane accutane prescription labeling. This could cause increased side effects accutane prescription labeling.
• Do not donate blood while taking Accutane and for at least 1 month followingthe end of treatment accutane prescription labeling. Blood donated while taking Accutane may be given to apregnant woman and be harmful to her baby accutane prescription labeling.
• Do not use wax hair removal systems or have any skin resurfacing procedures(such as dermabrasion or laser treatment) performed while taking Accutane andfor six months following treatment due to the possibility of scarring accutane prescription labeling.
• Avoid exposure to sunlight or UV rays while taking Accutane accutane prescription labeling. Accutanemay increase the sensitivity of the skin to sunlight and a severe sunburn couldresult accutane prescription labeling.
• Use caution when driving a vehicle at night accutane prescription labeling. Accutane can cause decreasednight vision accutane prescription labeling. The onset of decreased night vision may be sudden accutane prescription labeling.
What are the possible side effects of Accutane?
• Stop taking Accutane and seek emergency medical attention or contactyour doctor immediately if you experience any of the following serious sideeffects:
· an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat;swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
· changes in vision, blurred vision, or decreased vision (especiallyat night);
· painful or constant dryness of the eyes;
· depression including feelings of sadness, crying spells, irritability,changes in sleep patterns, unusual tiredness, trouble concentrating, loss ofappetite, and/or suicidal thoughts or other mental problems;
· stomach, chest, or bowel pain;
· rectal bleeding, or severe or bloody diarrhea;
· difficulty or pain when swallowing;
· new or worsening heartburn;
· yellowing of the skin or eyes or persistently dark urine;
· severe headache or dizziness;
· seizures;
· nausea and vomiting;
· joint or muscle pain or bone problems;
· hearing problems or hearing loss;
· trouble breathing;
· fainting;
· increased thirst or urination;
· slurred speech or problems moving;
· leg swelling;
· increased levels of cholesterol or triglyceride (types of fat) in yourblood (detected by blood tests) accutane prescription labeling.
• Other, less serious side effects are more likely to occur accutane prescription labeling. Continue totake Accutane and talk to your doctor if you experience
· inflammation, dryness, or cracking of the lips;
· dry skin, dry mouth, dry or bleeding nose, dryness of the eyes and/ordifficulty wearing contact lenses;
· itching; or
· increased sensitivity of the skin to the sun accutane prescription labeling.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur accutane prescription labeling. Talk to yourdoctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome accutane prescription labeling.
What other drugs will affect Accutane?
• Do not take any of the following medicines while taking Accutane:
· vitamin supplements containing vitamin A; or
· a tetracycline antibiotic such as tetracycline (Sumycin, Achromycin,Panmycin, Robitet, others), minocycline (Minocin, Dynacin, Vectrin), doxycycline(Doryx, Monodox, Vibramycin, Vibra-Tabs), demeclocycline (Declomycin), or troleandomycin(TAO) accutane prescription labeling.
• Taking any of the drugs listed above during treatment with Accutane maybe dangerous accutane prescription labeling.
• Before taking Accutane, tell your doctor if you are taking carbamazepine(Tegretol, Carbatrol, Epitol) accutane prescription labeling. You may require a dosage adjustment or specialmonitoring during treatment accutane prescription labeling.
• Do not use other acne medications unless otherwise directed by your doctor accutane prescription labeling. They may interfere with the treatment or increase irritation of the skin accutane prescription labeling.
• Do not take birth control pills that do not contain estrogen ("minipills")during treatment with Accutane accutane prescription labeling. They may not work while taking Accutane accutane prescription labeling.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Accutane accutane prescription labeling. Talkto your doctor or pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-countermedicines, including herbal products accutane prescription labeling.
Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has additional information about Accutane written forhealth professionals that you may read accutane prescription labeling.
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