{"ok":true,"entry":{"slug":"isotretinoin","kind":"medication","name":"isotretinoin","aliases":["Roaccutane","Oratane","Acnotin"],"brands_sg":["Acnotin","Nimegen","Roaccutane","Oratane"],"class":"oral retinoid","tags":["skin"],"use_for":"severe acne that has not responded to other acne medicines","use_after":"nhs: once or twice a day, with food, for around 3 months","use_duration":null,"take_with":"food · nhs: capsules swallowed whole, same times daily","pros":["nhs: for severe acne other prescriptions did not clear","healthhub: cuts skin oil and clears inflammation","nhs: a course is usually around 3 months"],"cons":["dry lips, eyes, skin and nose are common (healthhub)","healthhub: mood changes, depression, rarely suicide","nhs: not to be taken in pregnancy — harm to the baby"],"dose_note":"the us isotretinoin label (claravis) states: 'Recommended dosage is 0.5 to 1 mg/kg/day given in two divided doses with food for 15 to 20 weeks', and that adults with very severe disease 'may increase dosage to 2 mg/kg/day in two divided doses' — 2 mg/kg/day is the highest figure on that label. nhs describes once or twice a day for around 3 months. in singapore the dermatologist sets the dose.","dosage":null,"ul_status":null,"sg_class":"prescription-only","cautions":["pregnancy or trying to conceive — nhs: must not be taken","healthhub: strict birth control 1 month before, during and 1 month after","liver problems, high cholesterol or triglycerides, diabetes (nhs, healthhub)","past depression, mood problems or self-harm thoughts (nhs)"],"clashes":[{"src":["hh_iso_avoid","fda_isotretinoin"],"note":"healthhub: raised pressure in the brain — headaches, nausea, vomiting · us label: avoid concomitant use","with":"tetracycline antibiotics (doxycycline, minocycline, tetracycline)"},{"src":["hh_iso_avoid","fda_isotretinoin"],"note":"healthhub: not to be taken alongside · us label: avoid concomitant use","with":"vitamin a supplements and multivitamins with vitamin a"},{"src":["nhs_iso_avoid"],"note":"nhs lists these among skin products not to use during a course","with":"benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid skincare"},{"src":["hh_iso_avoid","nhs_iso_avoid"],"food":true,"note":"healthhub: can raise blood triglycerides · nhs: best avoided, could cause liver problems","with":"alcohol"},{"src":["hh_iso_proc","nhs_iso_avoid"],"note":"healthhub: skin more fragile — risk of poor healing and scarring, during and 6 months after","with":"waxing, laser hair removal, dermabrasion, chemical peels"}],"sources":[{"id":"hsa_register","url":"https://data.gov.sg/datasets/d_767279312753558cbf19d48344577084/view","label":"HSA — Listing of Registered Therapeutic Products (data.gov.sg open dataset, 5,511 rows, pulled via datastore_search API)","quote":"8 registered isotretinoin products, all Forensicclassification 'Prescription Only': SIN13333P ACNOTIN 10, SIN13051P ACNOTIN 20, SIN10767P NIMEGEN SOFT CAP. 10 mg, SIN04920P/SIN04921P ROACCUTANE CAPSULE 10 and 20 mg, SIN14628P/SIN11782P/SIN11781P ORATANE CAPSULE 5, 10 and 20 mg — all oral capsules","accessed":"2026-08-27"},{"id":"nhs_iso_about","url":"https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/isotretinoin-capsules/","label":"NHS Medicines A-Z — Isotretinoin (Roaccutane), reviewed 26 June 2026: what it is for","quote":"Isotretinoin is a medicine used to treat severe acne. It's only available on prescription … used to treat severe acne when other prescription medicines have not worked … usually prescribed by a healthcare professional who specialises in treating skin conditions","accessed":"2026-08-27"},{"id":"nhs_iso_use","url":"https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/isotretinoin-capsules/","label":"NHS Medicines A-Z — Isotretinoin (Roaccutane): how to take it","quote":"Most people need to take isotretinoin once or twice a day. You'll usually need to take it for around 3 months … swallow them whole … take them with food … you'll need to have regular check-ups and blood tests","accessed":"2026-08-27"},{"id":"nhs_iso_avoid","url":"https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/isotretinoin-capsules/","label":"NHS Medicines A-Z — Isotretinoin (Roaccutane): things to avoid, food, drink and alcohol","quote":"do not spend too long in the sun … do not use skincare products containing salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide … do not use waxing or laser treatments for hair removal … it's best to not drink alcohol … could cause liver problems","accessed":"2026-08-27"},{"id":"nhs_iso_preg","url":"https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/isotretinoin-capsules/","label":"NHS Medicines A-Z — Isotretinoin (Roaccutane): pregnancy and contraception","quote":"You must not take isotretinoin during pregnancy, or if you're trying to get pregnant … it can cause miscarriage or serious problems with how your baby develops … start using contraception at least 1 month before you start taking isotretinoin","accessed":"2026-08-27"},{"id":"hh_isotretinoin","url":"https://www.healthhub.sg/medication-devices-and-treatment/medications/isotretinoin","label":"HealthHub (MOH Singapore / Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore) — Isotretinoin medication information leaflet, reviewed 22 June 2023","quote":"Isotretinoin is used to treat severe acne that has not responded to other acne medications. It reduces the amount of oil produced by the glands in the skin and clears inflammation … Take this medication with or after food","accessed":"2026-08-27"},{"id":"hh_iso_se","url":"https://www.healthhub.sg/medication-devices-and-treatment/medications/isotretinoin","label":"HealthHub — Isotretinoin leaflet: common and serious side effects","quote":"Red, cracked and sore lips … Irritated and dry eyes … Dry skin, sometimes with peeling … Dry mouth … Dry nose … Increased risk of sunburn … mood changes including depression and less commonly, suicide","accessed":"2026-08-27"},{"id":"hh_iso_avoid","url":"https://www.healthhub.sg/medication-devices-and-treatment/medications/isotretinoin","label":"HealthHub — Isotretinoin leaflet: food and medicines to avoid","quote":"Avoid taking alcohol when taking this medication as it can increase the level of triglycerides … Do not take vitamin A supplements … Do not take this medication if you are on any tetracycline class of antibiotics (doxycycline, minocycline, and tetracycline)","accessed":"2026-08-27"},{"id":"hh_iso_preg","url":"https://www.healthhub.sg/medication-devices-and-treatment/medications/isotretinoin","label":"HealthHub — Isotretinoin leaflet: contraception requirements","quote":"You must use strict birth control for at least 1 month before you start isotretinoin, for the whole time … and for at least 1 month after discontinuing … Discuss contraception with your doctor or pharmacist","accessed":"2026-08-27"},{"id":"fda_isotretinoin","url":"https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=a31fd109-d0fd-4ab9-ba98-a3d64333c18d","label":"FDA DailyMed — CLARAVIS (isotretinoin) capsules, Teva Pharmaceuticals USA: Highlights of Prescribing Information","quote":"Recommended dosage is 0.5 to 1 mg/kg/day given in two divided doses with food for 15 to 20 weeks. Adult patients with very severe disease (scarring, trunk involvement) may increase dosage to 2 mg/kg/day in two divided doses","accessed":"2026-08-27"},{"id":"hh_iso_proc","url":"https://www.healthhub.sg/medication-devices-and-treatment/medications/isotretinoin","label":"HealthHub — Isotretinoin leaflet: skin and hair-removal procedures","quote":"planning to undergo any skin or hair removal procedures e.g. waxing, dermabrasions, facial peels, laser treatments. This medication may cause skin to become more fragile … Avoid these procedures during treatment and for at least 6 months after stopping","accessed":"2026-08-27"}],"brand_certs":null,"updated_at":"2026-08-29T16:16:23.779398+08:00"},"disclaimer":"kozen-x is not a medical device and does not give medical advice. it lists what published sources have written down. absence of a record is not the same as safe."}