Accutane and Alcohol: Safety Guidelines and Risks You Need To Know

What you will learn

• Accutane is the brand name for isotretinoin, a popular acne treatment medication derived from vitamin A.
• Isotretinoin can cause liver damage on its own, so it should not be combined with alcohol.
• Accutane-alcohol interaction can cause other complications, including pancreatitis.

If you’re taking Accutane, the brand name for isotretinoin, it’s important to avoid alcohol. Accutane (isotretinoin) and alcohol can have a significant interaction, increasing the risk of side effects like liver damage and elevated triglycerides. Therefore, it is strongly recommended to avoid alcohol during Accutane treatment.

Learn more about Accutane, how it works, medication safety, and why you should avoid mixing Accutane with alcohol or other substances.

What Is Accutane?

Accutane is the brand name for isotretinoin, an acne treatment drug used when acne is persistent and resistant to other treatment options. Though Accutane was taken off the market around 2009, it was a popular and widespread drug.[1] People often refer to the generic isotretinoin as Accutane.

It’s derived from vitamin A, but it’s a safer alternative to taking large amounts of vitamin A that can cause toxicity. Due to its potency, isotretinoin can be used to treat moderate to severe acne and various types of acne.

Isotretinoin (formerly known as Accutane) is highly effective for long-term remission of acne in many patients. [2] The remainder need longer treatment, sometimes up to a year, but may see a difference in four or five months.

What Happens When You Take Accutane?

Isotretinoin’s effectiveness in treating acne involves several understood mechanisms: it reduces sebum production, inhibits the growth of acne-causing bacteria, reduces inflammation, and normalizes skin cell shedding to prevent clogged pores.

Isotretinoin is effective where other treatments fail due to its high concentration of retinoids, a class of chemicals derived from vitamin A. Retinoids are responsible for some side effects, including sun sensitivity, dry skin, and an increase in cholesterol levels.

Accutane has some side effects, including dry skin, headaches, itching, nosebleeds, birth defects in pregnant women, and liver damage. The last symptom is the primary concern with combining Accutane and alcohol consumption, as the liver processes these two substances.

Can You Drink Alcohol on Accutane?

The interaction between alcohol and Accutane (isotretinoin) can be significant, not just moderate. It is generally advised to avoid alcohol while taking Accutane due to the increased risk of liver damage and elevated triglyceride levels. Consultation with a healthcare provider is crucial to understand your specific risk factors. Otherwise, it’s important to avoid drinking alcohol or using products that contain alcohol, such as some mouthwashes or cough medicines.

If you do drink while taking Accutane, you may experience severe side effects like rapid heartbeat, warm or tingling skin, nausea, and vomiting. Taking Accutane alone can be hard on your liver, but when you combine it with alcohol, it can cause severe damage.[3] Some of the signs of liver damage may include:

• Yellowing of the skin or eyes
• Dark urine
• Light-colored stool
• Loss of appetite
• Abdominal pain
• Fatigue
• Nausea and vomiting

Accutane also raises the levels of triglycerides in the blood, which can lead to painful and life-threatening inflammation of the pancreas – pancreatitis – with symptoms like severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, rapid heart rate, fluid buildup, fever, and low blood pressure.[4]

In some individuals, Accutane can cause a sudden decrease in night vision, which makes driving hazardous. Combined with alcohol, there’s a serious risk of getting into an accident.

How Long After Taking a Dose of Accutane Can You Drink?

The need to avoid alcohol while taking Accutane is clear. But some people wonder how long they need to wait before drinking after taking a dose of Accutane. It’s important to point out that there is no safe window. If you’re taking Accutane at all, then you should not drink alcohol at any time.

How long does Accutane remain in the body?

There’s a good reason that medical experts recommend abstaining from alcohol altogether while taking Accutane. Researchers estimate that Accutane remains in the body for over a week after a single dose. [5] If you’ve been taking this medication for some time, it has likely built up in your system, meaning it will take even longer to flush out.

No amount of alcohol on Accutane is safe

Everyone metabolizes medications differently, so it’s impossible to say when the body has completely cleared them. This makes even a drink or two while taking Accutane risky. Like alcohol, Accutane is processed through the liver, so alcohol should be avoided entirely for the entire time you’re taking Accutane. If you’re still taking Accutane, don’t drink alcohol, regardless of when you took your last dose.

If you choose to drink despite your doctor’s warnings, then you may face serious consequences, including liver damage, high cholesterol, heart problems, and stroke. It’s not worth the risk.

How Long After Finishing Accutane Can You Drink?

Some people think it’s okay to resume drinking alcohol as soon as accutane treatment is complete. However, this is a dangerous misconception.

• Wait At Least A Week: It can take well over a week for the drug to leave the system completely, so consuming alcohol directly after treatment can harm the liver. It’s best to wait at least a week, if not longer, before reintroducing alcoholic beverages.
• Follow Your Doctor’s Advice: Because of individual differences in metabolic rates, there’s no way to know precisely when Accutane has been completely cleared from the body. Guidance from a professional healthcare provider is necessary prior to resuming any previous drinking habits. A medical professional may be able to test your liver enzymes and make suggestions regarding future alcohol use.

Risks of Combining Alcohol and Accutane

The reasons to avoid alcohol while taking the prescription medication Accutane are plentiful. These two substances simply don’t mix.

What to Expect if You Drink While Taking Accutane

Here are some of the serious risks of mixing alcohol and Accutane: [6]

• Liver strain and toxicity
• Elevated triglycerides and high cholesterol
• Mood swings
• Worsening of existing mood disorders like depression
• Worsening of side effects associated with Accutane (i.e., nausea, dry mouth, stomach pain, etc.)

Other side effects you may experience as a result of the interaction between alcohol and isotretinoin (the generic name for Accutane) include: [7]

• Increased heart rate
• Tingly feeling
• Warmth or redness under the skin
• Nausea and vomiting

Talk to Your Health Care Provider

There are serious health risks linked to Accutane and alcohol combined. If you drink any alcohol at all while taking Accutane, be sure to tell your healthcare provider so they can monitor your labs closely and respond if necessary. Combining alcohol with Accutane could also make the medication less effective in treating acne, so it’s really not worth the risk. Alcohol alone can also exacerbate acne. [8]

Tips for Avoiding Alcohol While on Accutane

Alcohol is pervasive in our society and is often linked to socializing, dining, and having fun. It can be hard to avoid the temptation to drink when alcohol is all around you. Some situations call for abstinence, though, such as when you suffer from a substance use disorder or when you’re taking a prescription medication like Accutane that can cause adverse reactions when mixed with alcohol. Here are some tips to avoid alcohol, either temporarily or permanently: [9]

• Recognize that cravings are temporary and will pass.
• Know your triggers, both internal and external, and try to avoid them.
• Get rid of all of the alcohol in your home.
• Tell your friends and family members that you plan to abstain from drinking alcohol.
• Turn down invitations if you know there will be a lot of drinking.
• Build drink refusal skills so you’ll know how to respond when offered a drink.
• Suggest fun activities with friends that don’t involve drinking, like hiking or taking a road trip.
• Remind yourself why you’ve decided not to drink, whether for your physical or mental health.
• Have some distractions on hand when you experience a craving or temptation.
• Talk to a friend or family member who supports your decision to avoid alcohol. Don’t be afraid to ask for emotional support.
• If you’re thinking about having a drink, challenge the thought and walk away from the situation.
• Have plenty of non-alcoholic drinks that you enjoy on hand.

Signs of Alcohol Use Disorder

If you’ve tried to quit drinking more than once or twice without success, it may be time to reach out for professional support. There’s no shame in acknowledging you have a drinking problem or asking for help to quit drinking.

Here are some signs that you may be experiencing alcohol use disorder: [10]

• Unsuccessfully trying to limit the amount of alcohol you drink
• Continuing to drink despite it causing problems at work, school, or home
• Spending a lot of time and/or money to support your habit
• Experiencing strong cravings
• Failing to meet deadlines, attend meetings, or complete projects due to alcohol use
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you haven’t had a drink recently
• Needing more and more alcohol to have the same effect

Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms

Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when not drinking can be a sign of alcohol use disorder. Symptoms can begin within a few hours of your last drink or up to five days later. Alcohol withdrawal may include the following symptoms: [11]

• Increased heart rate
• Restlessness
• Anxiety
• Nausea and vomiting
• Excessive sweating
• Sleep problems
• Hand tremors
• Seizures
• Hallucinations

Severe alcohol withdrawal can be serious or life-threatening. Some people require medical supervision to detox from alcohol.

Other Risks of Accutane

Aside from avoiding alcohol on Accutane, there are other risks and complications associated with the drug.[12]
Isotretinoin can cause birth defects if taken during pregnancy. It’s important to take two forms of effective birth control to avoid pregnancy. You also need to avoid giving blood while taking Accutane, as it can cause birth defects in a pregnant recipient.

Unless directed by a doctor, you shouldn’t take vitamin A or other vitamin supplements that contain vitamin A while on Accutane. This increases the risk of side effects. You should check with your doctor before taking any substances, including vitamins, herbal products, and prescription or over-the-counter medications.

Accutane can cause skin dryness and sunburn, as well as more serious skin reactions, such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis, a life-threatening disorder characterized by blistering and peeling of the skin. You should also avoid waxing or cosmetic procedures, such as dermabrasion or laser hair removal, while using Accutane and for six months after stopping it, as this increases the risk of scarring.

In rare cases, Accutane can cause mood and behavioral changes like irritability, agitation, and suicidal thoughts or actions.

Seek Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder

Abstaining from alcohol while taking isotretinoin can be tough, but it’s much harder if you binge drink or struggle with alcohol use disorder. If you have an alcohol use disorder, it’s crucial to consult with healthcare professionals for safe withdrawal management, as abrupt cessation of alcohol can lead to potentially severe withdrawal symptoms.

If you’re considering taking Accutane and struggle with alcohol use, it’s crucial to seek detox and addiction treatment to avoid serious withdrawal symptoms or drug interactions. Once you complete an alcohol addiction treatment program, you can safely take Accutane with a lower risk of liver damage, pancreatitis, or other serious effects.

Amanda is a prolific medical content writer specializing in eating disorders and addiction treatment. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Purdue University with a B.S. in Social Work. Read more