Oral retinoids, commonly known as isotretinoin (trade name: Roaccutane), is a powerful drug used in the treatment of severe acne. Four to five months of isotretinoin treatment usually leads to clearing of acne for one year or more after the medicine is stopped.
Isotretinoin is a drug that has significant side effects, and not every acne patient are suitable users:
Side Effects of Isotretinoin
- Mild Side Effects: Include dry skin and itching, chapped lips, nose-bleeding, joint and muscle pains, hair thinning
- Serious Side Effects:
Isotretinoin may increase blood fats level, sometimes to risky levels. Occasionally it may affect the liver. Some patients also complain of depression and thoughts of suicide.
Teratogenicity
The most damaging side effect of isotretinoin is serious birth defects if taken during conception or pregnancy. Isotretinoin is teratogenic (capable of causing birth defects). It is critically important for women not to take isotretinoin while pregnant, and not to become pregnant while taking it.
Women who are sexually active must use an effective birth control method - a combination of two methods (such as condoms and oral contraceptive pills) is strongly advised. Women who has taken isotretinoin should also not get pregnant until one menstrual cycle after stopping the medication.
