Isotretinoin frequently asked questions
Should the patient take isotretinoin with or without food?
Isotretinoin is fat-soluble, it should be taken with high-fat foods or it can be taken with milk.
Is it Safe to take isotretinoin with Peanut or soya allergy?
Isotretinoin, which contains soybean oil, is contraindicated in patients with known soybean or peanut allergy.
How to to reduce mucocutaneous side effects of oral isotretinoin in acne patients?
- Omega-3 soft gel capsules 1 g/day were proved to decrease mucocutaneous side effects of isotretinoin. For more information. Click here. It was suggested also that Omega-3 may decrease the risk for hypertriglyceridemia. For more information. Click here
- Frequent application of lip balm or petrolatum can provide relief.
Is it okay to drink alcohol while taking isotretinoin?
Alcohol drinking while on isotretinoin should be avoided. Isotretinoin and alcohol combination may increase the hepatic and hyperlipidemic side effects.
Does isotretinoin affect male fertility?
Recent studies suggest that isotretinoin may have a positive effect on male infertility. Semen parameters like concentration and morphology may improve on 20 mg isotretinoin twice daily for 2 weeks.
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Is there a teratogenic risk when a woman got pregnant while her husband is on isotretinoin?
There is no evidence to suggest a teratogenic effect in the children of women who conceived while their husbands were taking isotretinoin.
What bout doing procedural intervention ( chemical peel -dermabrasion- fractional laser) for patients taking isotretinoin?
There is a controversy regarding this point, some dermatologists prefer to delay such procedures for more than 6 months after stopping isotretinoin. while others prefer to wait about 1-2 months.
What is the effect of isotretinoin on hair?
Short term hair growth was not affected in patients taking isotretinoin 0.5 mg/kg/day for 3 months according to a study . Another previous study showed that patients treated with isotretinoin 0.5-1 mg/kg/day for about 4-7 months may have telogen effluvium hair loss.
Patients on long term isotretinoin should be advised to cover their hair (hat, scarf) as a protection from ultraviolet rays and hair moisturizing products are also recommended to be used.
How to manage the neuropsychiatric side effects risk of isotretinoin?
- Low dose isotretinoin regimen was suggested to improve depression and neurocognitive problems functions.
- Frequent follow up visits and assessing any neuropsychiatric manifestations.
- Folic acid supplementation should be considered for acne patients with depression susceptibility.
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