Isotretinoin side effects checklist

1. Whole Skin Changes

• Dry skin
• Skin fragility
• Erythema (skin redness)
• Increased susceptibility to sunburn
• Decreased sweating
• Dryness of mucosal tissues
• Hair changes (e.g., thinning, brittle hair)
• Hand changes (e.g., dryness, cracking)
• Skin atrophy
• Acne flare-ups

2. Ophthalmic Changes

• Dry or irritated eyes
• Eye pain
• Vision changes
• Conjunctival changes (irritation or redness in the eyes)

3. Nasopharyngeal Changes

• Dry nose
• Nasopharyngitis (inflammation of the nose and throat)
• Upper respiratory tract infections (URTI)
• Epistaxis (nosebleeds)
• Cough

4. Oral Changes

• Dry lips
• Cheilitis (inflammation or cracking of the lips)
• Dry and sore mouth
• Excessive thirst

5. Mood and Neurological Changes

• Hearing changes
• Headache
• Mood changes (e.g., irritability, depression)
• Decreased appetite
• Increased appetite
• Fatigue

6. Musculoskeletal Changes

• Back pain
• Arthralgia (joint pain)
• Musculoskeletal discomfort

7. Gastrointestinal Changes

• Gastrointestinal disorders (e.g., indigestion, diarrhea)
• Abdominal pain

8. Infections

• Infections (e.g., bacterial or viral)
• Fever (link to isotretinoin is unclear)

9. Other Adverse Effects

• Stevens-Johnson syndrome (rare, severe skin reaction)
• Morbilliform eruption (measles-like rash)
• Pyogenic granuloma (benign vascular lesion)
• Irregular menstrual cycle

10. Laboratory Abnormalities

• Altered liver function tests
• Abnormal lipid profiles (e.g., elevated cholesterol, triglycerides)
• Elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
• Proteinuria (presence of protein in urine)
• Abnormal specific gravity in urine tests
• Abnormal kidney function tests
• Altered glucose levels
• Changes in calcium-phosphate regulation
• Abnormal sperms’ morphology