Your doctor may advise you to take an oral retinoid medicine called isotretinoin. This reduces the amount of sebum your skin produces. Be aware that your acne may worsen before it begins to improve. Isotretinoin can cause dry lips and skin, headaches, nose bleeds and pain in your joints. It may also cause more serious problems such as liver problems, raised cholesterol levels and rarely, low mood (depression). If you’ve had depression in the past, let your dermatologist know before you start treatment. Although rare, there’s a small chance you may have an allergic reaction to isotretinoin. You’ll be advised to have regular blood tests to check for any problems, for example, with your cholesterol levels.
If you’re a woman you’ll need to use contraception while taking this medicine. This is because isotretinoin could affect the development of an unborn baby. You’ll also have a monthly review meeting to chat about how your treatment is going. You’ll have the opportunity to discuss these and other issues with your dermatologist and ask questions before you start treatment.