Zenatane Capsule: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Zenatane Capsule (isotretinoin) is a retinoid used to treat severe nodular acne that has not improved with other treatments, including antibiotics. It is taken by mouth and is only available through a special safety program because of serious risks, including severe birth defects if used during pregnancy. Zenatane works by reducing oil production in the skin and affecting how skin cells form.

What is Zenatane Capsule

Zenatane is a retinoid, a form of vitamin A, used to treat severe nodular acne that has not improved with other treatments, including antibiotics. It comes as a capsule taken by mouth and is only available through a special safety program because of serious risks.

Zenatane Capsule uses

• Severe nodular acne
• Severe acne resistant to other treatments
• Persistent inflammatory acne
• Severe acne that has not responded to antibiotics
• Acne requiring specialist-supervised oral treatment

Benefits of Zenatane Capsule

• Helps reduce severe acne.
• Reduces excess oil production.
• Helps prevent clogged pores.
• Reduces acne-related inflammation.
• May help reduce new acne scars by controlling severe acne.

How Zenatane Capsule works

Zenatane reduces the amount of oil (sebum) the skin's glands produce and affects how skin cells form, which helps clear severe acne. The exact way it works is not fully known.

Zenatane Capsule dosage

Take Zenatane two times a day with a meal, since not taking it with food greatly reduces how well your body absorbs it. Swallow the capsules whole with a full glass of liquid; do not split, crush, chew, or suck on them, since this can hurt the esophagus. If you miss a dose, skip it; do not take two doses at the same time. Your acne may seem to get worse for a short time when you first start treatment before it improves. A typical course of treatment lasts about 15 to 20 weeks; a second course, if needed, is usually not started until at least 2 months after the first course ends. Once-daily dosing is not recommended.

Available forms and strengths

Capsules (10 mg, 20 mg, 30 mg, and 40 mg)

Side effects of Zenatane Capsule

Common

• Dry lips and mouth
• Dry skin
• Dry eyes
• Dry nose, which may cause nosebleeds
• Back pain
• Joint pain
• Headache
• Upper respiratory tract infection (common cold)
• Skin peeling or reactions
• Thinning of hair
• Fatigue
• Increased sun sensitivity
• Muscle problems
• Vision problems

Serious

• Hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat (allergic reaction)
• Fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling (serious skin reaction)
• Problems with vision or hearing, ringing in the ears
• Bone pain, broken bones, muscle weakness
• Increased thirst and urination (possible blood sugar problems)
• Hallucinations, unusual mood changes, crying spells, feelings of low self-worth, loss of interest in activities, new sleep problems, thoughts of hurting yourself
• Loss of appetite, upper stomach pain that may spread to the back, nausea, vomiting, fast heart rate, dark urine, yellowing of the skin or eyes (liver or pancreas problems)
• Severe stomach, chest, or bowel pain, painful swallowing, worsening heartburn, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, bloody or tarry stools
• Severe headaches, dizziness, nausea, vision problems, pain behind the eyes (signs of increased brain pressure)

Warnings and precautions

• Zenatane must not be used by patients who are or may become pregnant because it causes severe, life-threatening birth defects, even with short-term use or a single dose. It is only available through a restricted program requiring pregnancy tests and two forms of birth control.
• Breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment with Zenatane and for a period after stopping it, since it is not known if the drug passes into breast milk and could harm the infant.
• Zenatane can cause liver problems, including hepatitis, and your doctor will check your liver function before and during treatment.
• Avoid alcohol while taking Zenatane, as it can increase the risk of liver damage and affect blood fat levels.
• Zenatane may reduce your ability to see in the dark, so be careful driving or operating a vehicle at night until you know how the medicine affects your vision.
• Zenatane may cause serious mental health problems, including depression, psychosis, and suicidal thoughts or behavior.
• Zenatane can increase pressure inside the skull (intracranial hypertension), which can lead to permanent vision loss and, rarely, death. This risk is higher when combined with tetracycline antibiotics, so that combination should be avoided.
• Zenatane can cause severe, potentially life-threatening skin reactions such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis.
• Zenatane can cause acute pancreatitis, which in rare cases has been fatal.
• Zenatane can raise blood fat (triglyceride and cholesterol) levels, which will be monitored with blood tests during treatment.
• Zenatane has been linked to inflammatory bowel disease, even in people with no prior history of bowel problems, and symptoms may persist after stopping the drug.
• Zenatane may affect bones and muscles, including decreased bone mineral density, premature closure of growth plates in growing teens, and musculoskeletal pain.
• Zenatane can cause eye problems, including corneal opacities and decreased night vision, which may persist after stopping treatment.
• Serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis and allergic vasculitis, have been reported with isotretinoin use.
• Do not take vitamin A supplements while on Zenatane, as this can increase the chance of side effects.
• Avoid wax hair removal, dermabrasion, or laser skin treatments during treatment and for at least 6 months after stopping, due to the risk of scarring.
• Do not donate blood while taking Zenatane and for one month after stopping, because the blood could be given to a pregnant person and harm her baby.

Storage

• Store at 68° to 77°F (20° to 25°C)
• Protect from light
• Keep Zenatane and all medicines out of the reach of children

When to see a doctor

• Stop taking Zenatane and get emergency help right away for signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as hives, swelling of the face or mouth, or trouble breathing.
• Stop Zenatane and call your doctor right away if you notice signs of depression, mood changes, or thoughts of hurting yourself.
• Stop taking Zenatane and seek medical help right away if you have signs of increased brain pressure, such as a bad headache, blurred vision, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, or seizures.
• Stop taking Zenatane and seek medical help right away for serious skin reactions, such as pink-eye-like symptoms, rash with fever, blisters, sores in the mouth or eyes, or skin peeling.
• Stop taking Zenatane and get medical help right away if you have symptoms of pancreatitis, such as severe upper stomach pain, swelling, nausea, vomiting, or fever.
• Stop Zenatane right away and tell your doctor if you have severe stomach, chest, or bowel pain, trouble or pain swallowing, new or worsening heartburn, diarrhea, or rectal bleeding.
• Stop taking Zenatane and tell your doctor right away if you notice your hearing getting worse or ringing in your ears.
• Stop taking Zenatane and tell your doctor right away if you notice yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, pain on the right side of your stomach, or easy bruising or bleeding, as these can be signs of liver problems.
• Stop taking Zenatane and tell your doctor right away if you have muscle or joint pain or weakness, as muscle weakness can be a sign of serious muscle damage.
• If you get pregnant while taking Zenatane, stop taking it immediately and call your doctor right away.

Alternatives

• Amnesteem
• Claravis
• Absorica