What should I avoid while taking oral isotretinoin to treat my acne?

The following may come in handy:

1. Women should not get pregnant while taking oral isotretinoin or for at least one month after stopping oral isotretinoin to treat their acne.
   
   
2. Remember not to give blood while taking isotretinoin or for 1 month after stopping it. Studies show that those who are pregnant when exposed to your blood, her baby risks exposure to birth defects.
   
   
3. It is advisable to use 2 forms of contraceptive, i.e. oral contraceptive and a condom while on oral isotretinoin, this is to make sure pregnancy does not occur. Do note that birth control pills that do not contain estrogen (i.e. female sex hormone) may not work while we are on Accutane. Always check with the doctor where appropriate.
   
   
4. Do not take isotretinoin with other antibiotics unless after talking to our doctor.
   
   
5. Do not have cosmetic procedures to smooth our skin (which shall include waxing or laser procedures), while on isotretinoin or for 6 months after we stop.
   
   
6. Never breastfeed while taking isotretinoin or for 1 month after stopping the drug for treating our acne.
   
   
7. Try to avoid excessive sunlight and ultraviolet lights and tanning booths, because oral isotretinoin can make our skin more sensitive to ultraviolet light.
   
   
8. Let our doctor know what other drugs or herbal products that we are currently taking. This is important as some of these products may decrease the efficacy of our oral contraceptive and would have to be discontinued for the duration of our acne treatment and 1 month after.
   
   
9. Avoid vitamin A supplements as they will increase our chances of having side effects.

For other acne clear and acne care questions and soultions, we may want to refer this page here.