Details :

• Isotretinoin capsules are a very effective treatment for severe acne(spots).
• This medicine can have serious side effects, however, so it must be prescribed and supervised by a doctor.

Key facts :

• Isotretinoin capsules start to work after a week to 10 days.
• Isotretinoin capsules work very well - 4 out of 5 people who use them have clear skin after 4 months.
• Your skin may become very dry and sensitive to sunlight during treatment. Using lip balm and moisturisers will help.
• If you're a woman, it's very important not to become pregnant while using isotretinoin capsules and for at least 1 month after stopping. This is because isotretinoin can harm an unborn baby.
• Isotretinoin capsules are also called by the brand names Roaccutane and Rizuderm.
• Who can and can't take isotretinoin capsules
• Isotretinoin capsules are for teenagers and adults with severe acne.
• Don't give isotretinoin capsules to children under the age of 12 years or before puberty.
• Isotretinoin capsules aren't suitable for some people.

Don't take isotretinoin capsules if you :

• Have had an allergic reaction to isotretinoin, soya (the capsules contain soya) or any other medicines in the past
• Have an inherited digestive disorder called fructose intolerance (the capsules contain sorbitol)

To make sure isotretinoin capsules are safe for you, tell your doctor if you :

• Have had a mental health illness like depression
• Are pregnant or think you could be, or you're breastfeeding
• Have ever had an allergic reaction to isotretinoin or any other medicine
• Have liver or kidney disease
• Have high levels of cholesterol or other fats in your blood
• Have high levels of vitamin A
• Have Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis
• If you have diabetes, talk to your doctor before beginning treatment with isotretinoin capsules. You may need extra monitoring while you take isotretinoin capsules as this medicine can cause a rise in blood sugar levels.

Side effects :

• Like all medicines, isotretinoin capsules can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. Side effects will usually go away when you stop treatment.
• Dry skin and lips are very common side effects. For safety, don't have any waxing, dermabrasion, or laser skin treatment while you're taking this medicine and for at least 6 months after you stop, as this could cause scarring or skin irritation.

Common side effects
The common side effects of isotretinoin capsules happen in more than 1 in 10 people. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if these side effects bother you or don’t go away :

• Skin becoming more sensitive to sunlight
• Dry eyes
• Dry throat
• Dry nose and nosebleeds
• Headaches and general aches and pains

Serious side effects : Serious side effects are rare and happen in less than 1 in 1,000 people.
Stop taking isotretinoin capsules and tell a doctor straight away if you get :

• Anxiety, aggression and violence, changes in mood, or suicidal thoughts - these can be signs of depression or  other mental health problems
• Severe pain in your tummy with or without bloody diarrhoea, feeling sick, and vomiting - these can be signs of a serious problem called pancreatitis
• A serious skin rash that peels or has blisters - the skin rash may come with eye infections, ulcers, a fever, and headaches
• Difficulty moving your arms or legs, and painful, swollen or bruised areas of the body, or dark pee - these can be signs of muscle weakness
• Yellow skin or eyes, difficulty peeing, or feeling very tired - these are signs of liver or kidney problems
• A bad headache that doesn't go away and makes you feel sick or vomit
• Sudden changes in eyesight, including not seeing as well at night
• It's very rare, but isotretinoin capsules can sometimes cause depression or make it worse, and even make people feel suicidal.

Details :

• Isotretinoin capsules are a very effective treatment for severe acne(spots).
• This medicine can have serious side effects, however, so it must be prescribed and supervised by a doctor.

Key facts :

• Isotretinoin capsules start to work after a week to 10 days.
• Isotretinoin capsules work very well - 4 out of 5 people who use them have clear skin after 4 months.
• Your skin may become very dry and sensitive to sunlight during treatment. Using lip balm and moisturisers will help.
• If you're a woman, it's very important not to become pregnant while using isotretinoin capsules and for at least 1 month after stopping. This is because isotretinoin can harm an unborn baby.
• Isotretinoin capsules are also called by the brand names Roaccutane and Rizuderm.
• Who can and can't take isotretinoin capsules
• Isotretinoin capsules are for teenagers and adults with severe acne.
• Don't give isotretinoin capsules to children under the age of 12 years or before puberty.
• Isotretinoin capsules aren't suitable for some people.

Don't take isotretinoin capsules if you :

• Have had an allergic reaction to isotretinoin, soya (the capsules contain soya) or any other medicines in the past
• Have an inherited digestive disorder called fructose intolerance (the capsules contain sorbitol)

To make sure isotretinoin capsules are safe for you, tell your doctor if you :

• Have had a mental health illness like depression
• Are pregnant or think you could be, or you're breastfeeding
• Have ever had an allergic reaction to isotretinoin or any other medicine
• Have liver or kidney disease
• Have high levels of cholesterol or other fats in your blood
• Have high levels of vitamin A
• Have Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis
• If you have diabetes, talk to your doctor before beginning treatment with isotretinoin capsules. You may need extra monitoring while you take isotretinoin capsules as this medicine can cause a rise in blood sugar levels.

Side effects :

• Like all medicines, isotretinoin capsules can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. Side effects will usually go away when you stop treatment.
• Dry skin and lips are very common side effects. For safety, don't have any waxing, dermabrasion, or laser skin treatment while you're taking this medicine and for at least 6 months after you stop, as this could cause scarring or skin irritation.

Common side effects
The common side effects of isotretinoin capsules happen in more than 1 in 10 people. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if these side effects bother you or don’t go away :

• Skin becoming more sensitive to sunlight
• Dry eyes
• Dry throat
• Dry nose and nosebleeds
• Headaches and general aches and pains

Serious side effects : Serious side effects are rare and happen in less than 1 in 1,000 people.
Stop taking isotretinoin capsules and tell a doctor straight away if you get :

• Anxiety, aggression and violence, changes in mood, or suicidal thoughts - these can be signs of depression or  other mental health problems
• Severe pain in your tummy with or without bloody diarrhoea, feeling sick, and vomiting - these can be signs of a serious problem called pancreatitis
• A serious skin rash that peels or has blisters - the skin rash may come with eye infections, ulcers, a fever, and headaches
• Difficulty moving your arms or legs, and painful, swollen or bruised areas of the body, or dark pee - these can be signs of muscle weakness
• Yellow skin or eyes, difficulty peeing, or feeling very tired - these are signs of liver or kidney problems
• A bad headache that doesn't go away and makes you feel sick or vomit
• Sudden changes in eyesight, including not seeing as well at night
• It's very rare, but isotretinoin capsules can sometimes cause depression or make it worse, and even make people feel suicidal.