Accutane, the brand name for isotretinoin, is a powerful medicine prescribed to treat severe cases of acne. It’s helped many people get clearer skin, but as is true with a lot of medications, it also comes with precautions. One question that often arises for those on Accutane is whether it’s safe to drink alcohol while taking it.
Alcohol and prescription drugs don’t always mix well, and understanding the potential risks is important to maintain your health.
We’ll explore the effects of drinking alcohol while taking Accutane and provide some insight into what medical professionals recommend.
What is Accutane?
Accutane is primarily used to treat severe cystic acne that hasn’t responded well to other treatments. It works by significantly reducing the amount of oil (sebum) that your skin’s oil glands produce, helping to prevent clogged pores and severe breakouts.
It also decreases inflammation and bacteria that contribute to acne development. Accutane is one of the most effective treatments for persistent, stubborn acne.
A typical course of Accutane treatment lasts anywhere from four to six months, depending on the severity of the condition and patient response. It’s considered a strong medicine, with noticeable improvements usually within a few weeks of starting treatment. That strength, however, also means it comes with a range of possible side effects.
Common side effects can include dry skin, chapped lips and sunlight sensitivity.
One of the more concerning side effects is the strain it can place on the liver. The liver metabolizes Accutane, so liver function is monitored throughout treatment.
This can make combining alcohol and Accutane particularly risky since both can have a taxing effect on liver health.
Accutane and Liver Health
Many medicines, including Accutane, are metabolized by the liver, meaning the liver works to process and break the drug down. During this process, liver enzymes are elevated, which can sometimes lead to liver inflammation or other complications. That’s why liver function is regularly monitored through blood tests during Accutane treatment to ensure it’s not under too much stress.
Maintaining healthy liver function while on Accutane is crucial. The liver plays a prominent role in detoxifying substances from the body, and when it’s overworked, it can lead to serious health issues.
Drinking alcohol while taking Accutane can further impact liver health. Excessive drinking on its own can lead to liver damage or conditions like fatty liver disease. When combined with Accutane, the risk of liver damage increases. With both alcohol and Accutane stressing liver function, it can lead to elevated enzyme levels, inflammation or even long-term liver damage.
It’s generally advised to avoid or significantly limit alcohol consumption while you’re on Accutane to reduce the risk of harm to your liver.
Why Does the Liver Process Accutane?
Accutane is a derivative of vitamin A. It’s a strong, fat-soluble medication that must be broken down by liver enzymes to be safely eliminated from the body.
The liver metabolizes Accutane using enzymes from the P450 family, which convert the drug into less active compounds. The metabolites are then excreted from the body through bile and urine.
The reason the liver has to process Accutane is that in its unprocessed form, the drug can be too toxic for the body, especially over extended periods.
The liver processes alcohol primarily through a couple of key enzymes. Alcohol dehydrogenase, or ADH, breaks ethanol down into a toxic byproduct called acetaldehyde. Aldehyde dehydrogenase then converts acetaldehyde into acetate, a less harmful substance that can be broken down into carbon dioxide and water, which the body eliminates.
Because alcohol is metabolized quickly and in large amounts, regular or excessive consumption can overwhelm the liver’s ability to process it, leading to liver damage over time. Additionally, when combined with other substances like Accutane, both alcohol and the medication compete for the liver’s resources, raising the risk of liver injury.
Risks of Drinking Alcohol While Taking Accutane
One of the biggest risks of combining alcohol and Accutane is the increased risk of liver damage.
Beyond liver health, alcohol consumption can also make some of the common side effects of acne medicine worse. Dry skin, a frequent issue during treatment with Accutane, can become more severe as alcohol dehydrates the body. Other side effects like dizziness, fatigue and nausea may get worse if you drink alcohol.
There’s also the potential for interactions between alcohol and Accutane that can heighten overall discomfort. Both substances can affect mood and, together, can raise the risk of depression or emotional instability, which is already a concern for some patients who take Accutane.
Overall, the combination of alcohol and Accutane can lead to complications, making it much harder for the body to manage both the medication and alcohol effectively.
Medical Advice on Alcohol and Accutane
Doctors and pharmacists generally recommend avoiding or significantly limiting your alcohol consumption while taking Accutane.
Most medical professionals agree that even occasional alcohol consumption can enhance the side effects of Accutane and increase the potential for long-term harm, especially to liver function.
It’s crucial to follow your doctor or pharmacist’s medical advice to minimize risks. When you avoid alcohol, you can reduce the likelihood of serious complications and side effects, ensuring a smoother and safer course of treatment with Accutane.
At Moving Mountains Recovery, we understand how challenging it can be to balance treatment, medication and healthy lifestyle choices. If you’re struggling with alcohol use or addiction while managing a medical condition, our team can help. Contact Moving Mountains Recovery today to learn more about how we can support you on your path to recovery and better health.
- American Osteopathic College of Dermatology: Accutane
- National Institute of Health (NIH): Isotretinoin
- NIH: Isotretinoin Use and Liver Enzymes Changes: A Single-Center Study in Saudi Arabia
- Frontiers in Medicine: Alcohol consumption and the risk of liver disease: a nationwide, population-based study