<p><strong>Contraception</strong>: Female patients must be provided with comprehensive information on pregnancy prevention and should be referred for contraceptive advice if they are not using effective contraception. As a minimum requirement, female patients at potential risk of pregnancy must use at least one effective method of contraception. Preferably the patient should use two complementary forms of contraception including a barrier method. Contraception should be continued for at least 1 month after stopping treatment with Isotretinoin, even in patients with amenorrhea.<br />
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<strong>Pregnancy testing</strong>: According to local practice, medically supervised pregnancy tests with a minimum sensitivity of 25mIU/mL are recommended to be performed in the first 3 days of the menstrual cycle, as follows.<br />
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<strong>Prior to starting therapy</strong>: In order to exclude the possibility of pregnancy prior to starting contraception, it is recommended that an initial medically supervised pregnancy test should be performed and its date and result recorded. In patients without regular menses, the timing of this pregnancy test should reflect the sexual activity of the patient and should be undertaken approximately 3 weeks after the patient last had unprotected sexual intercourse. The prescriber should educate the patient about contraception. A medically supervised pregnancy test should also be performed during the consultation when Isotretinoin is prescribed or in the 3 days prior to the visit to the prescriber, and should have been delayed until the patient had been using effective contraception for at least 1 month. This test should ensure the patient is not pregnant when she starts treatment with Isotretinoin.<br />
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<strong>Follow-up visits</strong>: Follow-up visits should be arranged at 28 day intervals. The need for repeated medically supervised pregnancy tests every month should be determined according to local practice including consideration of the patient&rsquo;s sexual activity and recent menstrual history (abnormal menses, missed periods or amenorrhea). Where indicated, follow-up pregnancy tests should be performed on the day of the prescribing visit or in the 3 days prior to the visit to the prescriber.<br />
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<strong>End of treatment</strong>: Five weeks after stopping treatment, women should undergo a final pregnancy test to exclude pregnancy.<br />
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<strong>Prescribing and dispensing restrictions</strong>: Prescriptions of Isotretinoin for women of childbearing potential should be limited to 30 days of treatment and continuation of treatment requires a new prescription. Ideally, pregnancy testing, issuing a prescription and dispensing of Isotretinoin should occur on the same day. Dispensing of Isotretinoin should occur within a maximum of 7 days of the prescription.<br />
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<strong>Male patients</strong>: The available data suggest that the level of maternal exposure from the semen of the patients receiving Isotretinoin, is not of a sufficient magnitude to be associated with the teratogenic effects of Isotretinoin. Male patients should be reminded that they must not share their medication with anyone, particularly not females.<br />
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<strong>Additional precautions</strong>: Patients should be instructed never to give this medicinal product to another person, and to return any unused capsules to their pharmacist at the end of treatment. Patients should not donate blood during therapy and for 1 month following discontinuation of Isotretinoin because of the potential risk to the foetus of a pregnant transfusion recipient.<br />
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<strong>Psychiatric disorders</strong>: Depression, depression aggravated, anxiety, aggressive tendencies, mood alterations, psychotic symptoms, and very rarely, suicidal ideation, suicide attempts and suicide have been reported in patients treated with Isotretinoin. Particular care needs to be taken in patients with a history of depression and all patients should be monitored for signs of depression and referred for appropriate treatment if necessary. However, discontinuation of Isotretinoin may be insufficient to alleviate symptoms and therefore further psychiatric or psychological evaluation may be necessary.<br />
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<strong>Skin and subcutaneous tissues disorders</strong>: Acute exacerbation of acne is occasionally seen during the initial period but this subsides with continued treatment, usually within 7-10 days, and usually does not require dose adjustment. Exposure to intense sunlight or to UV rays should be avoided. Where necessary a sun-protection product with a high protection factor of at least SPF 15 should be used. Aggressive chemical dermabrasion and cutaneous laser treatment should be avoided in patients on Isotretinoin for a period of 5-6 months after the end of the treatment because of the risk of hypertrophic scarring in atypical areas and more rarely post inflammatory hyper or hypopigmentation in treated areas. Wax depilation should be avoided in patients on Isotretinoin for at least a period of 6 months after treatment because of the risk of epidermal stripping. Concurrent administration of Isotretinoin with topical keratolytic or exfoliative anti-acne agents should be avoided as local irritation may increase. Patients should be advised to use a skin moisturising ointment or cream and a lip balm from the start of treatment as Isotretinoin is likely to cause dryness of the skin and lips. There have been post-marketing reports of severe skin reactions (e.g. erythema multiforme (EM), Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN)) associated with Isotretinoin use. As these events may be difficult to distinguish from other skin reactions that may occur, patients should be advised of the signs and symptoms and monitored closely for severe skin reactions. If a severe skin reaction is suspected, Isotretinoin treatment should be discontinued. Allergic reactions: Anaphylactic reactions have been rarely reported, in some cases after previous topical exposure to retinoids. Allergic cutaneous reactions are reported infrequently. Serious cases of allergic vasculitis, often with purpura (bruises and red patches) of the extremities and extracutaneous involvement have been reported. Severe allergic reactions necessitate interruption of therapy and careful monitoring.<br />
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<strong>Eye disorders</strong>: Dry eyes, corneal opacities, decreased night vision and keratitis usually resolve after discontinuation of therapy. Dry eyes can be helped by the application of a lubricating eye ointment or by the application of tear replacement therapy. Intolerance to contact lenses may occur which may necessitate the patient to wear glasses during treatment. Decreased night vision has also been reported and the onset in some patients was sudden. Withdrawal of Isotretinoin may be necessary.<br />
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<strong>Musculo-skeletal and connective tissue disorders</strong>: Myalgia, arthralgia and increased serum creatine phosphokinase values have been reported in patients receiving Isotretinoin, particularly in those undertaking vigorous physical activity. Bone changes including premature epiphyseal closure, hyperostosis, and calcification of tendons and ligaments have occurred after several years of administration at very high doses for treating disorders of keratinisation. The dose levels, duration of treatment and total cumulative dose in these patients generally far exceeded those recommended for the treatment of acne.<br />
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<strong>Benign intracranial hypertension</strong>: Cases of benign intracranial hypertension have been reported, some of which involved concomitant use of tetracyclines. Signs and symptoms of benign intracranial hypertension include headache, nausea and vomiting, visual disturbances and papilloedema. Patients who develop benign intracranial hypertension should discontinue Isotretinoin immediately.<br />
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<strong>Hepatobiliary disorders</strong>: Liver enzymes should be checked before treatment, 1 month after the start of treatment, and subsequently at 3 monthly intervals unless more frequent monitoring is clinically indicated. Transient and reversible increases in liver transaminases have been reported. In many cases these changes have been within the normal range and values have returned to baseline levels during treatment. However, in the event of persistent clinically relevant elevation of transaminase levels, reduction of the dose or discontinuation of treatment should be considered.<br />
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<strong>Renal insufficiency</strong>: Renal insufficiency and renal failure do not affect the pharmacokinetics of Isotretinoin. Therefore, Isotretinoin can be given to patients with renal insufficiency. However, it is recommended that patients are started on a low dose and titrated up to the maximum tolerated dose.<br />
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<strong>Lipid Metabolism</strong>: Serum lipids (fasting values) should be checked before treatment, 1 month after the start of treatment, and subsequently at 3 monthly intervals unless more frequent monitoring is clinically indicated. Elevated serum lipid values usually return to normal on reduction of the dose or discontinuation of treatment and may also respond to dietary measures. Isotretinoin has been associated with an increase in plasma triglyceride levels. Isotretinoin should be discontinued if hypertriglyceridaemia cannot be controlled at an acceptable level or if symptoms of pancreatitis occur. Levels in excess of 800mg/dL or 9mmol/L are sometimes associated with acute pancreatitis, which may be fatal.<br />
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<strong>Gastrointestinal disorders</strong>: Isotretinoin has been associated with inflammatory bowel disease (including regional ileitis) in patients without a prior history of intestinal disorders. Patients experiencing severe (hemorrhagic) diarrhoea should discontinue Isotretinoin immediately.<br />
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<strong>High Risk Patients</strong>: In patients with diabetes, obesity, alcoholism or a lipid metabolism disorder undergoing treatment with Isotretinoin, more frequent checks of serum values for lipids and/or blood glucose may be necessary. Elevated fasting blood sugars have been reported, and new cases of diabetes have been diagnosed during Isotretinoin therapy.</p>