Isotretinoin is a form of vitamin A. It decreases the amount of sebum (oil) that is released by the sebaceous (oil) glands, and it increases that rate at which the skin renews itself.
Isotretinoin is used to treat severe nodular acne that has not responded to other treatments, including antibiotics.
Isotretinoin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my doctor before taking isotretinoin?
Before taking isotretinoin, 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.
You may not be able to take isotretinoin, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
Do not take isotretinoin if you are pregnant or if you could become pregnant during treatment or for one month after you stop taking isotretinoin. Isotretinoin is in the FDA pregnancy category X. This means that isotretinoin is known to cause severe birth defects in an unborn baby. If you become pregnant, stop using birth control, or miss your menstrual period, immediately stop taking isotretinoin and notify your doctor.
It is not known whether isotretinoin passes into breast milk. Do not take isotretinoin without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take isotretinoin?
Take isotretinoin exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
Isotretinoin is a medication taken to treat severe nodular acne that has not been helped by other treatments, including antibiotics. However, isotretinoin can cause serious side effects. Before starting treatment with isotretinoin, discuss with your doctor how bad the acne is, the possible benefits of isotretinoin and the possible side effects. Your doctor will ask you to read and sign a form indicating that you understand the serious risks associated with isotretinoin therapy.
You will get no more than a 30-day supply of isotretinoin at a time. Your prescription should have a special yellow self-adhesive sticker attached to it. If your prescription does not have this yellow sticker, call your doctor. The pharmacy should not fill the prescription without this sticker.
Take each dose of isotretinoin with a full glass of water. This will help prevent the medication inside the capsule from irritating the lining of the esophagus. For the same reason, do not chew or suck on the capsule.
Take isotretinoin twice a day with food or milk to get the best results from this medication, unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
Take all of the isotretinoin that has been prescribed for you even if your symptoms start to improve. The acne may seem to get worse at the start of therapy, but should then begin to improve. For the best results, finish all of the medication that has been prescribed. You may require more than one course of therapy with isotretinoin.
Your doctor may perform blood tests during treatment with isotretinoin to monitor side effects from this medication.
Due to the serious side effects that may occur with the use of this medication, do not share it with anyone else.
Store isotretinoin at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention.
Symptoms of an isotretinoin overdose include vomiting, abdominal pain, flushing of the face, inflammation of the lips, headache, dizziness, and clumsiness.
What should I avoid while taking isotretinoin?
Do not take vitamin supplements containing vitamin A during treatment with isotretinoin. This could cause increased side effects.
Do not donate blood while taking isotretinoin and for at least 1 month following the end of treatment. Blood donated while taking isotretinoin may be given to a pregnant woman and be harmful to her baby.
Do not use wax hair removal systems or have any skin resurfacing procedures (such as dermabrasion or laser treatment) performed while taking isotretinoin and for six months following treatment due to the possibility of scarring.
Avoid exposure to sunlight or UV rays while taking isotretinoin. Isotretinoin may increase the sensitivity of the skin to sunlight and a severe sunburn could result.
Use caution when driving a vehicle at night. Isotretinoin can cause decreased night vision. The onset of decreased night vision may be sudden.
What are the possible side effects of isotretinoin?
Stop taking isotretinoin and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following serious side effects:
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 (especially at 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 of appetite, 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 your blood (detected by blood tests).
Other, less serious side effects are more likely to occur. Continue to take isotretinoin 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/ or difficulty wearing contact lenses;
itching; or
increased sensitivity of the skin to the sun.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
What drug(s) may interact with isotretinoin?
alcohol
benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, or other drying medicines used for acne
corticosteroids (example: prednisone)
medicines for seizures
orlistat
other drugs that make you more sensitive to the sun such as sulfa drugs
progestin-only birth control hormones (examples: 'Minipills' like Aygestin®, Micronor®, Nor-QD® or injectable/implantable products such as Depo-Provera® or Norplant®)
vitamins and other supplements containing vitamin A
warfarin
What is the shelf life of the pills?
The expiry date is mentioned on each blister. It is different for different batches. The shelf life is 2 years from the date of manufacture and would differ from batch to batch depending on when they were manufactured.
Whats wrong with my brother? is he turning mental? im scared...?
Hes been changing so much so fast! he stays in his room all day, he never talks to any of us, and two days ago he told me to tell my mom to wake him up at 5:30 and i said no just call her and he said no just tell her! and i said no just call her! and he got really mad so i ran in my room and locked the door, then he kicked a HOLE in my door and i was shocked! hes never this mad and i was gonna tell my mom anyways but he got so mad! and then he went upstairs, i didnt see him at all until just 10 minutes ago, and he walked into the kitchen and i was like are you insane? you know were broke right now and now we have to buy a new door! you do realize this isnt our house?! and he was like shut the f*ck up you little bitch and hit me so hard in the back, it hurt and i can feel a bruise coming on my back and im so shocked cause he has never actually hit me he just scares me away, he didnt go to school today and he just stayed in his room for two days after he broke the door so i didnt see him at all, hes 17 turning 18, and i dont think its drugs since hes not really in the popular crew of kids, he doesnt have many friends so where would he get the drugs? he has never even had a girlfriend, hes not bad looking but hes just quiet and unpopular. im so shocked, hes so different, what could it be? some mental thing or what? i cant talk to my parents about it cause they never believe me theyre just like oh relax, hes probably just worried about school. oh and he gets really good grades so why would he risk that for drugs?
ive been crying about this, he just isnt the same old brother i used to have...
he doesnt have any good friends here, he does on iceland but we moved from there 2 years ago
How do you like this rap song I'm writing?
I'm still going to write two more verses to this. Let me know what you honestly think. Thanks
I'm going to be using this instrumental when I record:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpeXpd6qsCE
Ted was misled as a child
He watched him Mom shoot up and Dad his walk out
Without anyone to talk about how he felt he bowed his head
Wishing for a day where he could fly instead of drown
He’d cry to his Mom to please put the pipe down
She’d reply life’s too stressful and this is my way out
He witnessed fist full of pills make their way into her mouth
One day he tried to take them away but she just hit em and shouted
You little prick! How dare you throw my last fix out
She packed Teds bags n threw him out of the house
Told him a sixteen old boy can find his own joy now
But it was cold in the south of Detroit, his pain numbed from the frost
He wasn’t even employed, he became homeless and lost
He turned thief to fill voids, showing chrome when crossed
Pursuing reefer and pills avoiding the home that he lost
He’d light his blunt up and sing his moms same song
(Chorus)
Ted began to deal anything he got his hands on
Started sniffing yayo so he could remain calm
Living selling Cane stones killing Able pained domes
Feeling hateful through the rain he drained alone
A stain was grown that then changed his love for life
He took drugs every night in spite with thugs despite
The flood raising its height, He started losing his light
Inside his mind he was moving the right way
But that was just addiction taking hold of his plays
His mind became molded like clay not to stay sober
Now instead of getting paid he was just a heavy smoker
All ways ready to dust a boulder,
Thinking about his mom, **** someone must have told her by now
That he was addicted to crack, but now smack was on his mind
So he went out and bought a needle, a lethal injection
Because people told him it’d make him feel peaceful
Being needful he filled it up with heroin
His vessels started narrowin then he heard the devil echoin
(Chorus)
How do you convince your parents to let you buy an inappropriate M game (Saints Row 3)?
Back in November my parents let me sign up for the Game fly free trial for my school's Thank's Giving break. The main thing I wanted from gamefly was Saints Row 3, since I'm in to the more free roam/do what you want games. I started playing and saw it was an incredibly fun game. I love how you can soup up your car and motorcycles. I loved that part and also the jets. It was fun to role play on since they had all the shops. So I beat its story mode and saw that it had a ton of stuff that 13 year olds shouldnt be involved in. Though I also Have 3 older brothers that talk a lot about stuff like whats in the game. My dad was going to get it for me for christmas but then my mom saw what its rated for and made him return it. She tends to be more religious since we are christians and didnt even let me get dead island because it says sexual themes on the back even though thats just cause some zombies are in bikinis. They arent too concerned with cursing in games like COD or BF3. But if this tells you anything my dad bought me read dead redemption for my birthday, knowing it has ACTUAL nudity where as saints row pixelates it. Its not like I would become some drug addict just for playing the game. The only stuff i like doing is souping up cars and skydiving. I even prefer acting like a cop in it. I'm 13 by the way. Please tell me how to convince my mom to let me get it.
To Dr. No, I do respect my parent's decisions, I just want to tweak their decisions a bit. Like I respect them and all its just my mom kinda still treats me like im 5. She doesn't even like me playing games with smoking, and Lord of the Rings, bilbo and gandalf smoke (possibly even drugs) and she loves those movies. Soooo yeah, she just treats me like I'm 5.
OH! And also thanks people for the good answers, and responding so fast too. So far 3 out of the 4 answers have been helpful......Dr. No
How do you like my verse i wrote?
I'm still going to write two more verses to this. Let me know what you honestly think. Thanks
I'm going to be using this instrumental when I record:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpeXpd6qsCE
Ted was misled as a child
He watched him Mom shoot up and Dad his walk out
Without anyone to talk about how he felt he bowed his head
Wishing for a day where he could fly instead of drown
He’d cry to his Mom to please put the pipe down
She’d reply life’s too stressful and this is my way out
He witnessed fist full of pills make their way into her mouth
One day he tried to take them away but she just hit em and shouted
You little prick! How dare you throw my last fix out
She packed Teds bags n threw him out of the house
Told him a sixteen old boy can find his own joy now
But it was cold in the south of Detroit, his pain numbed from the frost
He wasn’t even employed, he became homeless and lost
He turned thief to fill voids, showing chrome when crossed
Pursuing reefer and pills avoiding the home that he lost
He’d light his blunt up and sing his moms same song
(Chorus)
Ted began to deal anything he got his hands on
Started sniffing yayo so he could remain calm
Living selling Cane stones killing Able pained domes
Feeling hateful through the rain he drained alone
A stain was grown that then changed his love for life
He took drugs every night in spite with thugs despite
The flood raising its height, He started losing his light
Inside his mind he was moving the right way
But that was just addiction taking hold of his plays
His mind became molded like clay not to stay sober
Now instead of getting paid he was just a heavy smoker
All ways ready to dust a boulder,
Thinking about his mom, **** someone must have told her by now
That he was addicted to crack, but now smack was on his mind
So he went out and bought a needle, a lethal injection
Because people told him it’d make him feel peaceful
Being needful he filled it up with heroin
His vessels started narrowin then he heard the devil echoin
(Chorus)
Thanks guys. The last two verses are going to be the most powerful ones. I've got something really great planned for this
I want to live in a different era so badly?
I'm a 14 year old girl, and I want to live in a different era so so badly.
I wish I could grow up as boy in Manhattan in about 1900 as a newsie, when school wasn't mandatory, you played stickball for fun, kids worked, and things were just simple and fun.
Now all I hear is about all the problems in politics and all the kids I know just sit on facebook and talk about what's annoying. Nobody's ever playing outside and schools so hard and I hate it.
Girls are so dramatic and their statuses are always these stupid songs about sex and drugs that don't even make sense. Everybody's the same and when they want to have fun, they just go to the mall and buy stuff and hang out in like parking lots or something. Nobody's innocent.
I feel like growing up in this difficult time, I missed my whole childhood. I played freedom and wiffle ball and stuff, but I always was worried about school and everything. People are so interested in having what's new, and then after that they want more and more and more.
I live in northeast Philadelphia, though I want to move so badly to an area right outside of center city where there's more walkability and people outside.
I'm just so bored with today. There's nothing to do. Everybody's locked inside all the time, worrying about things. Politics, drugs, pregnancies, crimes, whatever. It's really depressing.
This bothers me all the time. I hate living in the time I live in, I think about what I can do non stop, I'm literally obsessed.
People don't understand that people were happier when things were simple, they don't stop and realize that they're contributing to the fact that everybody is depressed and boring.
What can I do?
Why hasn't anyone thought to reverse Regan's Deregulation policy?
Since Regan deregulated the financial institutions, this country has turned completely upside down. It's obvious the rich are obscenely wealthy and the impoverished get kicked (literally) down at every turn. For example, Social Security received an 3.6% cost of living adjustment, not much and completely inadequate. But for those who are eligible for food stamps (I'm not), their food stamp allowance was decreased. That's just one example. Since deregulation, living in a structure (owning or renting) is not affordable. Utilities are not affordable. Transportation is not affordable. I live on $862.00 a month. That is after medicare and some sort of medical plan is taken out. Could you live on that? And believe it or not, I'm not eligible for any type of help from any government agency because I get too much to live on. I am a natural born citizen of the U.S. and have watched our country spiral downhill for 45 years. The people who do the hard work are coming out with nothing. How strong can we be when we encourage present, past and future generations to live on credit? I can't see that as a healthy way to run any country.
Listen, I'm dirt poor (since I am disabled), and, believe me, there is no hope.
Society believes that drugs, Algol and the like are a serious problem. Sorry, they are only a symptom of the problem.
The problem is; we have a society that just does not work. We expect our young adults to begin their journey in huge debt, from their education. Work hard, buy a house; more debt. Continue living in debt till the day they die.
Where is the hope there?
Listen, I don't have hope anymore, but, please, try do do something for the generations coming up. Put regulation back, at least to a point that is livable for the majority, not just for the minority (of the wealthiest). I gotta say; the citizens of this country are dying out here!
