Skin Health Acne Treatment Isotretinoin for Acne A Guide to Treating Acne with Isotretinoin (Amnesteem, Claravis, Sotret) By Angela Palmer Angela Palmer Facebook Angela Palmer is a licensed esthetician specializing in acne treatment. Learn about our editorial process Updated on March 26, 2020 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Leah Ansell, MD Medically reviewed by Leah Ansell, MD LinkedIn Leah Ansell, MD, is board-certified in cosmetic and medical dermatology. She is an assistant professor at Columbia University and works in private practice in New York City. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print If you are thinking about using isotretinoin for acne, you likely have lots of questions. Like, what are the side effects? What is iPledge? And, most importantly, is isotretinoin the best treatment for you? This guide will help you learn more about isotretinoin, understand how it works, and know what to expect from treatment. Verywell / Tim Liedtke What Is Isotretinoin and How Does It Work? Isotretinoin is a powerful medication used to treat severe inflammatory acne. Isotretinoin (not to be confused with tretinoin) is classified as a retinoid and is made from a synthetic form of vitamin A. It is taken orally, in pill form, once or twice daily. It's considered the most effective prescription treatment available for severe acne. Isotretinoin can successfully treat and completely clear up acne, even acne that has not improved with other treatments. Isotretinoin is available as a generic medication. Brand name formulations include Zenatane, Claravis, Myorisan, Amnesteem, Sotret, and Absorica. This drug debuted in 1982 as Accutane, but that brand name was discontinued by manufacturer Roche Holding AG in June 2009. How Does Isotretinoin Work? Isotretinoin works by shrinking the oil, or sebaceous, glands in the skin. This reduces the amount of oil that is produced. When your skin isn't producing excess oil, it isn't hanging around clogging pores and creating pimples. By controlling the oil, acne is also controlled. Unlike most acne medications, you don't have to continuously use isotretinoin to keep breakouts at bay. Most people only need one (five to six months) course of treatment to get good results. Some people do require a second course of treatment to completely clear the skin. Pimples rarely come back after treatment is finished. But if needed, you can be transitioned to a topical acne medication after your course of isotretinoin to maintain your newly cleared skin. What Are the Side Effects? While isotretinoin is a valuable treatment for severe acne, it does come with side effects. Some of these can be severe, so you'll be carefully monitored by your healthcare provider while you're taking this medication. The most common side effects of isotretinoin include: Dry, peeling, flaking, and itchy skin Dry eyes, mouth, and nose Chapped lips Nosebleeds Photosensitivity Joint pain Not as commonly, isotretinoin causes: Thinning hairDecreased night visionFatigueHeadachesSevere chest or abdominal pain Very rarely, isotretinoin may cause: High blood triglyceridesElevated liver enzymesIn pregnant women, severe birth defects Risk of Severe Birth Defects Isotretinoin can cause miscarriage and severe birth defects in pregnant women who take the drug while pregnant. You should not get pregnant while taking isotretinoin or for at least one month after stopping treatment. Additionally, you should not breastfeed while taking this medication. Your healthcare provider will discuss the possible side effects with you before you start treatment. Remember, if you have any questions, don't be afraid to ask. Side Effects and Risks of Isotretinoin Doesn't Isotretinoin Also Cause Depression? Probably the most widely discussed side effects of isotretinoin are depression and suicide. There have been reports of depression, psychosis, suicide attempts, and suicide in people taking isotretinoin. Exactly how or why this happens isn't known, but some researchers believe the drug may disrupt the way serotonin is made and used by the body. Most people who take isotretinoin never experience any psychiatric problems. There is no conclusive link between isotretinoin use and depression, and some research has cast doubt on whether there's any link at all. Just as a precaution, though, make sure you tell your healthcare provider if you have a history of depression or mental illness. Know the warning signs and tell your doctor immediately if you experience any symptoms of depression or psychosis or if you are having suicidal thoughts. Isotretinoin and Depression What Is the iPledge Program? Prepare to become very familiar with iPledge as anyone taking isotretinoin is required to be enrolled in this program. The primary goal of iPledge is to ensure no woman takes isotretinoin while pregnant or becomes pregnant during treatment. Healthcare providers who prescribe isotretinoin, and pharmacists who dispense it, must also register with the program. Before receiving your first prescription, and for each month during treatment, you will have certain requirements that must be met. This can include monthly pregnancy tests, using two forms of birth control, and picking up your prescription within a certain window of time. It's not just women who can become pregnant who must register with iPledge. Men and women who can't become pregnant also must comply with certain requirements before taking isotretinoin. iPledge Requirements for Women of Childbearing Potential iPledge Requirements for Men and Women of Non-Childbearing Potential Should I Take Isotretinoin? Isotretinoin is best for moderate acne to severe acne. If you have mild acne, your healthcare provider will likely have you try other acne medications first. Of course, not everyone is a candidate for isotretinoin treatment. But if you have already tried other acne treatments without much success, if your acne is severe, or if you have widespread acne of the back or body, isotretinoin may be an option. Your healthcare provider is your best resource, so ask for their opinion. Even if isotretinoin isn't the treatment for you, your doctor will have other treatment options available, so it's worth making that appointment. A Word from Verywell Isotretinoin has proven to be a successful acne treatment. For those who suffer from severe inflammatory or cystic acne, it may be a viable treatment option, especially if your acne has not responded well to other medications. Ultimately, you and your dermatologist must decide if isotretinoin is right for you. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Dealing with acne can be frustrating. Our free guide provides expert tips to help you take control. Sign up and get yours today. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 7 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Pile HD, Sadiq NM. Isotretinoin. In: StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing. American Academy of Dermatology Association. Isotretinoin faqs. Prescribers' Digital Reference. Isotretinoin - drug summary. Choi J, Koren G, Nulman I. Pregnancy and isotretinoin therapy. CMAJ. 2013;185(5):411-413. doi:10.1503/cmaj.120729 Suuberg A. Psychiatric and developmental effects of isotretinoin (retinoid) treatment for acne vulgaris. Curr Ther Res Clin Exp. 2019;90:27-31. doi:10.1016/j.curtheres.2019.01.008 Tkachenko E, Singer S, Sharma P, Barbieri J, Mostaghimi A. US Food and Drug Administration reports of pregnancy and pregnancy-related adverse events associated with isotretinoin. JAMA Dermatol. 2019;155(10):1175-1179. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2019.1388 Fox L, Csongradi C, Aucamp M, Du plessis J, Gerber M. Treatment modalities for acne. Molecules. 2016;21(8). doi:10.3390/molecules21081063 Additional Reading Borovaya A, Olisova O, Ruzicka T, Sárdy M. "Does Isotretinoin Therapy of Acne Cure or Cause Depression?" International Journal of Dermatology. 2013 Sep;52(9):1040-52. Watson KD, Miest RY, Tollefson MM. "Isotretinoin for Acne and Rosacea." Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery. 2016 Jun;35(2):79-86. Zaenglein AL, Pathy AL, Schlosser BJ, et al. "Guidelines of Care for the Management of Acne Vulgaris."Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2016 May;74(5):945-73. Zouboulis CC, Bettoli V. "Management of Severe Acne." The British Journal of Dermatology. 2015 Jul;172 Suppl 1:27-36.