Highlighter is on. Drag to highlight text. Click a highlight to remove it.
ALL / Dermatology

Retinoids

Retinoids

Isotretinoin is an oral retinoid used in the treatment of severe acne. Two-thirds of patients have a long-term remission or cure following a course of oral isotretinoin.

Adverse effects
  • teratogenicity
    • the BNF advises that females should 'use at least 1 highly effective method of contraception (i.e. a user-independent form such as an intra-uterine device or implant) or 2 complementary user-dependent forms of contraception (e.g. oral contraceptives and barrier method)'
    • contraception should be used for at least 1 month before starting treatment, during treatment, and for at least 1 month after stopping treatment
    • pregnancy should be excluded 'a few days before treatment, every month during treatment (unless there are compelling reasons to indicate that there is no risk of pregnancy), and 1 month after stopping treatment'
  • dry skin, eyes and lips/mouth
    • the most common side-effect of isotretinoin
  • low mood
    • whilst this is a controversial topic, depression and other psychiatric problems are listed in the BNF
  • raised triglycerides
  • hair thinning
  • nose bleeds (caused by dryness of the nasal mucosa)
  • intracranial hypertension: isotretinoin treatment should not be combined with tetracyclines for this reason
  • photosensitivity
+PassMedicine Notes

Isotretinoin is an oral retinoid used in the treatment of severe acne. Two-thirds of patients have a long-term remission or cure following a course of oral isotretinoin.

Adverse effects
  • teratogenicity
    • the BNF advises that females should 'use at least 1 highly effective method of contraception (i.e. a user-independent form such as an intra-uterine device or implant) or 2 complementary user-dependent forms of contraception (e.g. oral contraceptives and barrier method)'
    • contraception should be used for at least 1 month before starting treatment, during treatment, and for at least 1 month after stopping treatment
    • pregnancy should be excluded 'a few days before treatment, every month during treatment (unless there are compelling reasons to indicate that there is no risk of pregnancy), and 1 month after stopping treatment'
  • dry skin, eyes and lips/mouth
    • the most common side-effect of isotretinoin
  • low mood
    • whilst this is a controversial topic, depression and other psychiatric problems are listed in the BNF
  • raised triglycerides
  • hair thinning
  • nose bleeds (caused by dryness of the nasal mucosa)
  • intracranial hypertension: isotretinoin treatment should not be combined with tetracyclines for this reason
  • photosensitivity


Saved ✓

MEDIA