An Introduction to Side Effects of Isotretinoin
Just like any medicine,
isotretinoin (
Accutane®) can cause side effects. However, not everyone who takes the medication will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side isotretinoin effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or are easily treated by you or your healthcare provider. However, serious side effects are possible.
(This article covers many, but not all, of the possible side effects with isotretinoin. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of isotretinoin side effects with you.)
Serious Isotretinoin Side Effects
Some side effects with isotretinoin are potentially serious and should be reported immediately to your healthcare provider. These include but are not limited to:
- Signs of psychiatric changes, such as:
- A sad mood
- Hopelessness
- Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
- Loss of pleasure or interest in activities
- Fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating
- Changes in sleep pattern
- Changes in weight or appetite
- Suicidal thoughts or attempts
- Restlessness or irritability
- Acting on dangerous impulses
- Hallucinations or delusions
- Yellowing of the whites of the eyes or skin (jaundice)
- Upper-right abdominal pain (stomach pain)
- High liver enzymes
- Broken bones, which may be a sign of thinning bones (osteoporosis)
- Any vision changes
- Changes in blood sugar
- Seizures
- Signs of a stroke, such as vision or speech changes, weakness or numbness in an arm or leg, and a severe headache
- Signs of an allergic reaction, such as:
- An unexplained rash
- Hives
- Itching
- Unexplained swelling (especially of the lips, mouth, or throat)
- Wheezing or other breathing problems.
