Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Headache

Nausea

Blood disorders

Visual disturbances

High blood glucose level (hyperglycaemia)

Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)

Abnormal reaction of the skin to light, usually a rash (photosensitivity)

Dry skin

Mood changes, strange or abnormal thoughts or depression

Skin darkening

Breathing difficulties due to a narrowing of the airways (bronchospasm)

Increased hair growth (hirsutism)

Hair loss (alopecia)

Itching (pruritis)

Inflammation of the surface of the eye (keratitis)

Dryness of the mucous membranes, eg lips, eyes, nose (causing nosebleeds) and throat (causing hoarseness)

Liver disorders

Pain in the muscles and joints

Inflammatory bowel disease

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How can this medicine affect other medicines?

Isotretinoin used in combination with tetracycline-type antibiotics, eg minocycline and tetracycline may increase the pressure within the skull, leading to adverse effects. For this reason, tetracycline antibiotics must not be taken at the same time as this medicine. Combined treatment with isotretinoin and vitamin A may result in a condition similar to vitamin A overdose, which may cause changes in the structure of the bone. High doses of vitamin A (more than the recommended dietary allowance of 4000-5000 iu per day) should therefore be avoided. The use of other treatments conventionally used for acne, including antibiotics, exfoliants, medicines which loosen the dead skin on the skin surface (keratolytics), or radiation therapy with ultraviolet light, should be avoided while taking isotretinoin. However, non-irritant preparations can be applied to the skin if necessary.

Other medicines containing the same active ingredients

Roaccutane

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