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Claravis

Isotretinoin

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RateADrug users have reported 10 Claravis side effects and 3 Claravis benefits.

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Description | Uses & Side Effects | Warnings

There is currently no information to display in this section. RateADrug provides information about drugs and supplements though a wiki format provided by researchers, health care providers and others. We encourage you to add to this description by clicking on the button below.

Common Uses:

Claravis is used for treating severe acne in patients who do not respond to other medicines. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Claravis is a retinoid. It works by reducing skin oil production, changing the characteristics of the skin oil, and preventing abnormal hardening of the skin.

Off Label Uses:

Off label uses of Claravis include prevention of recurrence of oral cancer, leukoplakia, and oral lichen planus.

Side Effects:
Some of the common side effects of Claravis include the following:

Abnormal hair growth; abnormal skin sensations; bleeding and redness or swelling of the gums;changes in menstrual flow; chapped lips; decreased tolerance to contact lenses; dizziness; dry eyes and mouth; dry nose that may lead to nosebleeds; dry or peeling skin; fatigue; flushing; general body discomfort; hair thinning; headache; itching; lack of energy; nervousness; respiratory tract infection; sleeplessness; sweating; temporary worsening of acne; voice changes.

Some serious but no common side effects of Claravis include the following:
Severe allergic reactions, bizarre, aggressive, or violent behavior; bowel pain; chest pain or pounding in the chest; dark urine; depression; difficult or painful swallowing; difficulty moving; excessive thirst or urination; fainting; fast heartbeat; fever; fractured or weak bones; hearing problems or ringing in the ears; increased pressure in the brain joint or back pain; leg swelling; muscle weakness with or without pain; nausea; new or worsening heartburn; rectal bleeding; red patches or bruises on the legs; shortness of breath; seizures; severe birth defects; severe diarrhea; severe headache; skin infection; slurred speech; stomach pain or tenderness; stroke; stunted growth in children; sun sensitivity; swelling of the pancreas, swollen glands; thoughts of suicide; tightness in the lungs; vision changes; vomiting; weakness; yellowing of the skin or eyes.

Cautions / Warnings:

Cautions and warnings for Claravis include the following:

Women who are pregnant must not use Claravis. Women must also avoid becoming pregnant while taking this medication. Serious birth defects, miscarriages, and premature births have occurred when this drug has been used during pregnancy.

For female patients, two effective forms of birth control must be used for one month before starting Claravis, during use, and for one month after stopping this drug. You must also have monthly pregnancy-avoidance counseling from your doctor. Do not use "minipills" for birth control since they may not work as well with isotretinoin. If you are late in having your period, or if you have sexual intercourse at any time without using two effective forms of birth control, stop taking this medication and contact your doctor immediately.

After December 31, 2005, only patients enrolled in the iPLEDGE program may obtain and use isotretinoin. You will need to register with iPLEDGE and view a video at your doctor's office before receiving your prescription. Only physicians enrolled in iPLEDGE may prescribe isotretinoin, and only pharmacies enrolled in the program may dispense it. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details about the iPLEDGE program and for more information about the risks and benefits of using this medication.

For female patients who are able to become pregnant, you will need to contact iPLEDGE every month, either through the internet or by telephone, and answer required questions every time you fill your prescription and 1 month after your last dose.

These requirements apply in the United States. If you live in Canada or any other country, consult your doctor and pharmacist for your specific regulations.

Drug Interactions:
Claravis reacts with various other medications like tetracyclines, antiacne topical preparations, tretinoin, and vitamin A medications.

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Claravis Comments

12 Sep 2012

Very dry mouth, swollen gums, now they are bleeding, so I will make another appointment with my dentist . ( I just had a dental appointment 2 -1/2 weeks ago; had lots of plaque build up in such a short period of time, only 3 months since my last appointment) severe skin allergies, acne worsen (had very crusty, dry, infected facial skin, so my dermatologist instructed to discontinue, so I did. I used a total of 1 1/2 to 2 months. Very dry eyes, and blurred vision, saw an optometrist, and an opthomologist, blood pressure is a bit elevated, ( I have an appointment next week to see dr to check out why my blood pressure is elevated.

—Posted by Anonymous

23 Jul 2011

Really cleared my face up but came with the well-known mood swings, depressive moods, feelings of sadness, sensitivity to light, sensitive skin, dry skin etc. All quite annoying and had to be dealt with accordingly. Always remind yourself it's the medicine, and have to be able to let things go, for me my patience levels dropped significantly. Overall, i'm glad i'm done with it, took it from feb-july, i would recommend taking in winter so as to avoid the constant, necessary coating of sunscreen. The effects are noticeable and it's great to hear comments on how clear you face is as compared to: "Oh my god, you need to get some medicine for that".

—Posted by Christian Q.

17 Jun 2011

Took Claravis for 5 months have been off for 3 months. Had surgery 8 weeks after I went off it. Have had a really bad time healing. In pain, depressed, no energy, bad migraines, chest pain and hard to breath at times..have been having back pain and some vision issues. Can't find a doctor that wants to help me. I am a 41 year old very active type A personality and I feel like I am all alone and nobody cares or understands.

—Posted by hjgravley

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About Claravis

Claravis is the brand name and isotretinoin is the generic medication. The active ingredient of Claravis is isotretinoin. Clarvais is available in capsule form and is taken orally. It is available in the following strengths 10, 20, and 40 mg. Claravis is mainly used for treating severe acne, especially in those, where their acne condition is not responding to forms of treatment. Claravis is a retinoid and functions by decreasing skin oil production, alterning the characteristic features of skin oil, and by preventing abnormal hardening of the skin. To realize the maximum benefits of Claravis, one must take this medication regularly as per prescription and taking Claravis at the same time everyday is one way to remember to take it regularly.

About Isotretinoin

Isotretinoin (INN) (IPA) is a medication used for the treatment of severe acne. It is sometimes used in prevention of certain skin cancers. It is a retinoid i.e. it is derived from vitamin A and is found in small quantities naturally in the body. Oral isotretinoin is marketed under various trade names, most commonly Accutane (Roche), Amnesteem (Mylan), Claravis (Barr), Sotret (Ranbaxy), or Roaccutane (Roche) or NetLook (Delta Pharma) while topical isotretinoin is most commonly marketed under the trade names Isotrex or Isotrexin (Stiefel).

Source: Wikipedia

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