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Does Isotretinoin Interact With Tretinoin?

Posted on Tue, 27 Oct 2015

Question: Hello Sir,
As advised by you, i've started taking Isotretinoin 20 mg cap. along with tretinoin gel for almost 10 days now. i see my lips getting dried(i believe that is expected due to the tabs) and i'm using a vaseline as a measure for the lips. After the 10 day course i can still sense the acnes on front of my nose, and my nose looks swollen when i look in the mirror and in the pics.
Please suggest if i still need to continue this course or you would recommend a new one.
As of now, i take this course every night after food and apply the gel on my nose.

Regards,
xxxxx

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Kindly upload an Image

Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing back to us.

I have gone through your query and I have noted down your concern.

I request you to kindly upload an Image of the affected area so that I am able to guide you better. You may upload an Image either at "Reports Section" Or You may mail me at YYYY@YYYY with the subject line of this mail as Attention:Dr.Kakkar.

As far as taking Isotretinoin is concerned it is usually given for 4-6 months or even longer for acne and just 10 days is too short a time period for isotretinoin to have a significantly noticeable effect.

Cheilitis/ dryness of lips is an expected side effect of oral isotretinoin. Continue with vaseline lip balm.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (31 hours later)

Hello Sir,
Please find the images below, the highlighted part is affected by the acnes and it looks like the highlighted part is swollen.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Deeper comedones; I suggest you to continue with topical & oral Rx

Detailed Answer:
Hi. Thank you

I have reviewed the Images. These are deep seated comedones and would improve/ reduce with time therefore I suggest you to continue with topical and Oral treatment for the time being. As already suggested, just 10 days of Isotretinoin is not supposed to give you the expected results.
Sometimes, deeper comedones may move up to the surface because of the rapid skin renewing effect of topical tretinoin and oral isotretinoin, therefore they may look more prominent but this is an expected response.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (2 hours later)

Thank you for getting back.
I agree with you that taking a precaution only for 10days does not provide better results hence I'll continue with isotretenoin and Tronin 0.05% cream for an entire month.

However, just to be on the same page - you mentioned to continue with topical & oral Rx. By this you mean isotretenoin and Tronin 0.05% cream, right?
Presently, I take isotretenoin cap every night and apply tronin, is this the right away, or you suggest something better.

Thanks for lot for your help.

Regards,
xxxxx

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
You are doing things the right way

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

Yes. I mean taking Isotretinoin, Orally, once daily at night and applying tretinoin, topically, once daily at night.

Regards

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj