What's Allowed While Taking Accutane?

Question

I'm about to start Accutane treatment within the next month and just had a few questions: 1)Is alchol (in moderation) allowed while taking Accutane? 2) Does taking Accutane affect working out at the gym or running? 3) As part of my working out, I drink protein shakes which also contain vitamin A. Is it okay to continue protein shakes while taking Accutane?

William Ting, MD · Answer

Any amount of alcohol can place undued burden on the liver while on Accutane and thus is to be avoided. You should also try to minimize Tylenol and any nonessential herbal or health supplements.  Your dermatologist should draw monthly bloodwork, at least for the first few months to assess your liver function tests.

Steven L. Greene, MD · Answer

This is a very important are of questioning.Alcohol is absolutely not safe while taking recommended doses of Acne. Alcohol and Accutane are both metabolized in the same area of the liver and can cause cause stress to liver health.It is safe to work out at the gym however, you may experience more in the way of musculoskeletal symptoms with aches, pains and stiffness if you are very athletic in activity.Avoid Whey protein supplements since it will definitely aggrevate your acne and possibly lengthen the duration of therapy and invite worsening of acne after completing Accutane.I hope this is helpful.Steven Greene MD, Advanced Dermatology and Laser Institute of Seattle

Joshua L. Fox, MD · Answer

Alcohol should be avoided while on Accutane, but one drink
once a week should be okay. Accutane can cause muscle aches and joint pain
while working out. It is best to avoid taking vitamin A supplements while
taking Accutane.

Dina D. Strachan, MD · Answer

It sounds like you are going to have to make some adjustments while you are on Accutane:

	1. avoid alcohol-- Accutane and alcohol both cause liver inflammation.  It is not advisable to take both at the same time

	2. While there is no restriction on working out, Accutane may cause muscle aches.  Keep this in mind.

	3. Avoid vitamin A while on Accutane.  Accutane is a retinoid which is related to vitamin A.  Taking Accutane is like taking megadoses of vitamin A in terms of the side effects it can have on your body.  Find another protein shake that does not have vitamin A to take while you are on Accutane.

Emily Altman, MD · Answer

One of Accutane side effects is that it can potentially affect the liver.  Alcohol also affects the liver, so if a large amount of alcohol is consumed, there are two substances in the body concurrently affecting the same organ, which makes damage more likely.  Therefore one should try to avoid alcohol while on Accutane. 

	Another potential side effect is that Accutane can make your muscles more sore during workouts, so when starting Accutane, decrease the level of your workout somewhat until you know how sore your muscles get.  Taking Accutane should not stop you from working out, just decreasing the intensity at the beginning and every time the dose increases, until you find your comfort level.

	Accutane is a relative of vitamin A, so taking Accutane and vitamin A at the same time may result in an increased risk of side effects.  I would recommend getting a supplement without vitamin A.

What's Allowed While Taking Accutane?

Answers (8)

Answer: You may need to change your routine while on Accutane

Answer: You may need to change your routine while on Accutane

Answer: What's allowed during a course of Accutane

Answer: What's allowed during a course of Accutane

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Accutane

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

What's Allowed While Taking Accutane?

Answers (8)

Answer: You may need to change your routine while on Accutane

Answer: You may need to change your routine while on Accutane

Answer: What's allowed during a course of Accutane

Answer: What's allowed during a course of Accutane

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Accutane

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.