Vitamin A & Accutane
Article Highlights
- Accutane is closely related to vitamin A and has similar side effects.
- Supplemental vitamin A, including the low dose found in most multivitamins, should be avoided during Accutane therapy.
Accutane® (generic name: isotretinoin; other brand names: Sotret®, Amnesteem®, Claravis™) is closely related to vitamin A and shares similar side effects, especially relating to the liver and central nervous system. For this reason, the Food and Drug Administration has issued the precaution to avoid any supplemental vitamin A, even the low dose found in most multivitamins, during treatment with Accutane®. If multivitamin supplementation is desired during Accutane® therapy, the multivitamin should be free of vitamin A. The only vitamin A-free but otherwise complete multivitamin currently available is ebA Multivitamin Supplement®. For more information about Accutane® side effects and their management, go to Practical Guide to Accutane Side Effects.