Accutane

Be careful driving at night. Some people have experienced a sudden decrease in night vision.

Accutane affects the body's processing of fats and sugars. It should be used cautiously by people with diabetes, excess weight, high triglyceride or cholesterol levels, or a tendency to drink too much alcohol. If you have any of these conditions, your doctor will monitor you closely during Accutane therapy.

You may not be able to tolerate your contact lenses during and after your therapy with Accutane.

You should stop taking Accutane immediately if you have abdominal pain, bleeding from the rectum, or severe diarrhea. You may have an inflammatory disease of the bowel.

You should not donate blood during your therapy with Accutane and for a month after you stop taking it.

You may become more sensitive to light while taking this drug. Try to stay out of the sun as much as possible.

You should not use wax hair removal treatments or skin resurfacing procedures (dermabrasion, laser treatments) while taking Accutane or for 6 months after completing therapy.

Some people taking Accutane develop vision or hearing problems. If you notice changes in your vision or hearing, stop taking this drug and contact your doctor.

Possible food and drug interactions when taking Accutane

While taking Accutane, do not take vitamin supplements containing vitamin A. Accutane and vitamin A are chemically related; taking them together is like taking an overdose of vitamin A.

The herb St. John's wort may interact with hormonal contraceptives (taken as part of iPLEDGE). Pregnancies have been reported by those patients who have used St. John's wort in combination with Accutane.

Remember, too, that Accutane should not be combined with tetracycline antibiotics such as doxycycline hyclate and minocycline.

Special information if you are pregnant or breastfeeding

Accutane causes birth defects; do not use it while pregnant. Nursing mothers should not take Accutane because of the possibility of passing the drug on to the baby via breast milk.