Accutane: Uses, Side Effects and Dosage

Serious Warnings and Precautions

What ACCUTANE is used for:

ACCUTANE is used to treat severe acne (nodular and or inflammatory acne). It is used when the acne cannot be cleared up by other treatments, including antibiotics.

ACCUTANE can cause serious side effects. Before starting ACCUTANE, discuss with your doctor how bad your acne is, the possible benefits of ACCUTANE, and its possible side effects, to decide if ACCUTANE is right for you. Your doctor will ask you to read and sign a form indicating you understand

All patients must sign the informed consent form prior to starting therapy.

All Females:

Birth defects

• ACCUTANE can cause birth defects (deformed babies). It can also cause miscarriage, premature birth, or death of the baby. Adequate birth control measures are required when taking ACCUTANE (see “What are the important warnings for females taking ACCUTANE?”)

All Patients:

Mental health problems and suicide

• Some patients, while taking ACCUTANE or soon after stopping ACCUTANE, have become depressed or developed other serious mental health problems. Signs of these problems include feelings of sadness, irritability, unusual tiredness, trouble concentrating, and loss of appetite. Some patients taking ACCUTANE have had thoughts about ending their own lives (suicidal thoughts), tried to end their own lives, and some people have ended their own lives. There were reports that some of these people did not appear depressed. There have been reports of patients on ACCUTANE becoming aggressive or violent.

Neurologic (brain) problems

• Some patients have experienced benign intracranial hypertension while taking ACCUTANE. This can happen if you take ACCUTANE with certain antibiotics (tetracyclines). If you experience headaches, nausea, vomiting and visual disturbances talk to your doctor immediately.

For other possible serious side effects of ACCUTANE, see the “Serious Side Effects and What to do About Them” table.

some of the serious risks of ACCUTANE.

How ACCUTANE works:

• The way ACCUTANE works is not known. It is thought to reduce sebum, an oily substance that is produced by small glands in the skin, called sebaceous glands. This may reduce bacteria and improve the acne.
• ACCUTANE contains the active ingredient isotretinoin. This is a vitamin A derivative, belonging to the retinoid class of medicines. Retinoids are normally used to treat skin problems.
• During the first few weeks of treatment, your acne may seem to get worse. Redness and itching of the affected skin are common initial effects. These should disappear as you continue to take ACCUTANE. Most often, the first signs of healing occur after two to three weeks of treatment. It may take one to two months before beneficial effects are seen. Most patients with severe acne see a noticeable improvement after one or two courses of treatment with ACCUTANE.

The ingredients in ACCUTANE are:

Medicinal ingredients:

isotretinoin

Non-medicinal ingredients:

ACCUTANE 10 mg capsules:

Beeswax, Black Iron Oxide, Gelatin, Glycerol, Hydrogenated Hydrolysed Starch, Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Mannitol, Partially Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Propylene Glycol, Red Iron Oxide, Shellac, Sorbitol, Soybean Oil, Titanium Dioxide

ACCUTANE 40 mg capsules:

Beeswax, Black Iron Oxide, Gelatin, Glycerol, Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Methylparaben, Partially Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Propylene Glycol, Propylparaben, Quinoline Yellow WS, Shellac, Soybean Oil , Sunset Yellow FCF, Titanium Dioxide

ACCUTANE comes in the following dosage forms:

ACCUTANE capsules 10 mg and 40 mg are available in blister packages of 30 capsules.

Do not use ACCUTANE under these conditions:

• Do not use ACCUTANE if pregnant

• Do not get pregnant while taking ACCUTANE and stop taking immediately if you do get pregnant (see Serious Warnings and Precautions Box).
• Do not breastfeed while taking ACCUTANE and for 1 month after stopping ACCUTANE. ACCUTANE may pass through your milk and harm the baby.
• Do not take Vitamin A supplements. Vitamin A in high doses has many of the same side effects as ACCUTANE. Taking both together may increase your chance of getting side effects.
• Do not take ACCUTANE if you have liver or kidney disease.
• Do not take ACCUTANE if you have high blood fat (lipid) levels.
• Do not take ACCUTANE if you are sensitive to retinoids, or hydrogenated soybean oil, parabens, partially hydrogenated soybean oil, soybean oil, or any other non-medicinal ingredient listed under: “What are the ingredients in ACCUTANE?”

To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you take ACCUTANE. Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if:

• you or someone in your family has ever had any mental illness, including depression, suicidal behaviour, or psychosis. Psychosis means a loss of contact with reality, such as hearing voices or seeing things that are not there. Also, you should tell your doctor if you are taking medicines for any of these problems.
• you or someone in your family have liver disease, kidney disease, heart disease or high cholesterol or, diabetes or asthma.
• you have had any bone disorders or anorexia (an eating disorder that causes abnormally low body weight).
• you or someone in your family have a history of alcoholism.
• you plan vigorous physical activity during treatment with ACCUTANE.
• you have any food or drug allergies.

Other warnings you should know about:

Sexual Dysfunction

• While taking ACCUTANE, you may have the inability to get or maintain an erection, dryness in the vagina or vulva, reduced interest in sex, orgasm difficulties and loss of sensation or tingling in the genital area. This may continue after treatment. Tell your healthcare professional if you experience signs of sexual dysfunction before, during or after taking ACCUTANE.

Important warnings for females taking ACCUTANE

• Do not take ACCUTANE if you are pregnant.
• If you become pregnant, stop taking ACCUTANE and contact your doctor immediately.
• ACCUTANE can cause deformed babies. There is an extremely high risk that your baby will be deformed if you are pregnant while taking ACCUTANE. This risk exists even if ACCUTANE is taken for a short time. If you are a female of childbearing potential, your physician should have discussed this risk with you, and explained how to avoid becoming pregnant while taking ACCUTANE.
• You must avoid becoming pregnant while you are taking ACCUTANE and for at least one month after you stop taking ACCUTANE.

• You must discuss effective birth control with your doctor before beginning ACCUTANE treatment, and you must use effective birth control:

  • For at least one month before you start ACCUTANE;
  • While you are taking ACCUTANE; and
  • For at least one month after you stop taking ACCUTANE;

Keep in mind that any method of birth control can fail.

• It is recommended that you either abstain from sexual intercourse or use two reliable methods of birth control at the same time, even if you have a history of infertility or are not sexually active.
• Do not take ACCUTANE until you are sure that you are not pregnant.
• You must have two negative pregnancy tests before you start ACCUTANE, one of them must be done in a lab, before you start ACCUTANE. You will need to take a test every month while on the drug and one month after you stop taking ACCUTANE. If your menstrual period is abnormal in length and intensity, first contact your doctor (see the ACCUTANE PREGNANCY PREVENTION PROGRAM).
• You must wait until the second or third day of your next normal menstrual period before you start ACCUTANE.
• Stop taking ACCUTANE and contact your doctor immediately if you do become pregnant while taking ACCUTANE or during the first month after treatment has stopped, if you miss your period, or if you have sexual intercourse without using effective birth control. You should discuss with your doctor the serious risk of your baby having severe birth deformities because you are taking or have taken ACCUTANE. You should also discuss the desirability of continuing with your pregnancy.
• Do not breast feed while taking ACCUTANE.

You should have been counselled using the manufacturer’s PREGNANCY PREVENTION PROGRAM which includes:

• Comprehensive information about the risks of this drug
• A line drawing of a deformed baby
• A checklist of criteria you had to meet before receiving this drug
• Detailed information on birth control options
• A chart: “ACCUTANE PREGNANCY PREVENTION PROGRAM”
• An informed consent for you to review and sign. A copy of this form should be given to you by your doctor.

Please note that the manufacturer of ACCUTANE provides confidential contraception counselling (from a healthcare professional). For more information, please contact 1-888-XEDITON (933-4866).

If you were not counselled using the PREGNANCY PREVENTION PROGRAM, please contact your doctor for more information.

All patients should read the rest of this Patient Medication Information.

Do not take ACCUTANE unless you completely understand its possible risks and are willing to follow all of the instructions in this Patient Medication Information.

Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines.

The following may interact with ACCUTANE:

• Low-dose contraceptives (birth control pills). Low dose birth control pills may not work while you are taking ACCUTANE.
• Antibiotics (such as tetracyclines),
• Corticosteroids,
• Phenytoin
• Vitamin Supplements including Vitamin A
• St. John’s Wort.

What you should avoid while taking ACCUTANE:

• Do not give blood while you take ACCUTANE and for 1 month after stopping ACCUTANE. If someone who is pregnant gets your donated blood, the baby may be exposed to ACCUTANE and may be born with birth defects.

• Do not have cosmetic procedures to smooth your skin, such as waxing, dermabrasion, or laser procedures, while you are using ACCUTANE and for at least 6 months after you stop. ACCUTANE can

  • increase your chance of scarring or inflammation of the skin from these procedures. Check with your doctor for advice about when you can have cosmetic procedures.
• Avoid the use of artificial ultraviolet lights such as the ones used in tanning machines and protect yourself from excessive sunlight. ACCUTANE may make your skin more sensitive to ultraviolet (UV) light. When necessary, sunscreen with a high protection factor of at least SPF 15 should be used
• Avoid the use of exfoliative anti-acne agents.

How to take ACCUTANE:

If you are of childbearing age, your doctor will limit your ACCUTANE prescription to 30 days, so that continued treatment will require a new prescription. Be sure to have your new prescription filled at your pharmacy within 7 days after seeing your doctor.

Do not share ACCUTANE with other people. It can cause serious health problems.

Take ACCUTANE with food or just after a meal.

Usual dose:

• Read your prescription label carefully and be sure to take the exact amount of medicine prescribed by your doctor. Your doctor may change your prescribed dose from time to time, therefore, it is important that you check the label each time you fill your ACCUTANE prescription. If you have any questions, call your doctor.
• Be sure to return to your doctor as scheduled. It is important for your doctor to see you regularly, every month, when you are taking ACCUTANE. Blood tests and other tests allow your doctor to check your response to ACCUTANE. Discuss your progress and any concerns with your doctor.

Overdose:

If you think you, or a person you are caring for, have taken too much ACCUTANE, contact a healthcare professional, hospital emergency department, regional poison control centre or Health Canada’s toll-free number, 1-844 POISON-X (1-844-764-7669) immediately, even if there are no signs or symptoms.

Missed Dose:

If you forget to take a dose of ACCUTANE it may be taken later the same day, but, do not take more ACCUTANE in one day than your doctor has prescribed. Do not double dose.

Possible side effects from using ACCUTANE:

These are not all the possible side effects you may have when taking ACCUTANE. If you experience any side effects not listed here, tell your healthcare professional.

Some of the most common side effects are:

• dryness of the skin, lips, mouth, and lining of the nose. It is recommended that you use a skin-moisturizing ointment or cream and a lip balm from the start of treatment of ACCUTANE.
• facial or body rash, flaking of the skin, itching, peeling of the palms and soles,
• increased sensitivity to the sun, sunburn,
• inflammation of the lips,
• mild nose bleed,
• bleeding and inflammation of the gums,
• easily injured skin and increased fatigue,
• redness, dryness, or irritation of the eyes.

If you wear contact lenses, you may find them uncomfortable during treatment because ACCUTANE may cause dry eyes. This may continue after treatment has stopped. Dry eyes can be helped by applying a lubricating eye ointment or tear replacement therapy.

In some patients variable amounts of hair loss have occurred. In rare cases, this hair loss persisted after treatment was completed.

Serious side effects and what to do about them

If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, tell your healthcare professional.

Reporting Side Effects

You can report any suspected side effects associated with the use of health products to Health Canada by:

• Visiting the Web page on Adverse Reaction Reporting (www.canada.ca/drug-device-reporting) for information on how to report online, by mail or by fax; or
• Calling toll-free at 1-866-234-2345.

NOTE: Contact your health professional if you need information about how to manage your side effects. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice.

Storage:

• Keep out of reach and sight of children.
• ACCUTANE should be stored at 15 – 30°C. Store in the original package. Protect from exposure to moisture, heat and light.
• ACCUTANE does not need to be refrigerated.

It is recommended that ACCUTANE not be disposed of in household waste or waste water. Please return any unused ACCUTANE to the pharmacist or use an established "collection system" if available in your location.

If you want more information about ACCUTANE:

• Talk to your healthcare professional
• Find the full product monograph that is prepared for healthcare professionals and includes this Patient Medication Information by visiting the Health Canada website (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/drug-products/drug-product-database.html); importer’s/distributor’s website https://xediton.com/, or by calling 1-888-XEDITON (933-4866).

Importer / Distributor

Xediton Pharmaceuticals Inc.

2020 Winston Park Drive, Suite 402

Oakville, Ontario L6H 6X7

Last Revised: SEP 05, 2025

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ACCUTANE™ Trademark of CHEPLAPHARM Schweiz GmbH

CHEPLAPHARM Schweiz GmbH

Binningen, Switzerland