Accutane (isotretinoin) is intended for the treatment of severe nodular acne. It is recommended to patients for whom other methods of treatment were not effective enough. Accutane is a potent drug that can affect the health of an unborn baby, which is why only patients involved in the iPLEDGE program can get a prescription. The program requires the patients (in case these are women or child-bearing potential) to take pregnancy tests one month before and a month after the treatment. Your doctor will make sure Accutane is working well for you by testing your blood regularly. The function of your liver may also be tested. It’s very important to visit all your doctor’s appointments.

You can take Accutane with some food or milk. The most commonly reported side effects of this medicine are: joint pain, dizziness, drowsiness, dryness of the skin, lips, mouth or nose, back pain, nervousness, and discomfort with contact lenses. The symptoms of an overdose include stomach pain, dizziness, vomiting, warmth or tingling under the skin, headache, loss of coordination, swelling of the lips. Do not share this drug with other people even if they have the same symptoms as this may cause serious health consequences.