Can You Drink on Accutane? Expert Answers

“Can you drink on Accutane?” The short answer is no, but there’s more you need to know before making that decision. This blog covers everything you should understand about the risks of drinking alcohol while on Accutane, including why it’s strongly discouraged.

Are you going to start Accutane treatment and wondering how to get alcohol out of your system faster? Contact us today at 844.445.2565 or complete the form to consult a drug rehab expert in NJ today!

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Highlights

• Accutane (isotretinoin)  is an oral medication used to treat severe acne by shrinking oil glands,  preventing skin cells from sticking together, and helping to keep pores clear.
• It also helps calm the redness and swelling associated with severe acne. 
• Drinking alcohol while on Accutane can lead to liver problems, increased cholesterol and triglyceride levels, mood changes, or other mental health issues.
• Mixing the two can increase the risk of severe birth defects if pregnancy occurs.
• That’s why it is advised to stop drinking while getting Accutane treatment for the acne.

What Is Accutane?

Accutane (isotretinoin) is a powerful oral medication used to treat severe acne. It is typically prescribed when other treatments fail to improve the acne problem. It belongs to a class of drugs called retinoids and is derived from vitamin A. It is recommended not to drink while taking Accutane. However, quitting alcohol cold turkey may be dangerous because of alcohol withdrawal that may last for a long time.

5 Risks of Drinking Alcohol With Accutane

Drinking alcohol with Accutane isn’t recommended because there are various risks involved with it. Here is a summary of the most prominent risks:

1. Risk to Liver Health

Accutane (isotretinoin) is a potent medication, meaning it is highly effective even at low doses, but it can also cause significant side effects. One known side effect is increased strain on the liver1. Similarly, alcohol can also affect liver function and may cause liver damage over time. Using both Accutane and alcohol together can place additional stress on the liver, potentially increasing the risk of liver injury.

2. High Cholesterol

Accune can raise cholesterol and fat (triglyceride) levels, just like alcohol. Combining the two can increase heart problems, such as stroke or heart attack. Avoiding alcohol can help reduce these risks.

3. Overlapping Side Effects

Both Accutane and alcohol can cause similar side effects, such as dry mouth or lips, digestive issues, and mood swings. There is a possibility of increased side effects if you drink while on Accutane. An additional alcohol side effect is that it worsens the acne, which may reduce the effectiveness of Accutane treatment.

4. Mental Health Issues

From 1997 to 2017, the FDA received 17,829 reports of psychiatric side effects2 linked to isotretinoin. That’s why Accutane may cause or worsen mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. Since alcohol can do the same, using both together is not recommended.

5. Severe Birth Defects

According to a study3, isotretinoin can cause birth defects in over 35% of babies exposed during pregnancy. Alcohol can also lead to serious birth defects, including Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. That’s another reason for avoiding alcohol during Accunate treatment.

If you don’t know how to quit alcohol safely and want to start Accutane treatment, it is better to get alcohol treatment near you or join an online alcohol counseling. Call us 844.445.2565 or fill out this form.

When Can You Drink After Stopping Accutane?

It is generally recommended that you don’t drink for one month after completing your Accutane treatment. It allows your body to fully clear the medication and its active metabolites. Accutane and alcohol both affect the liver, so combining the two too soon could be harmful, especially for those with a history of heavy drinking or end-stage alcoholism. Your liver needs time to heal from the stress caused by Accutane treatment.

What Research Says About Mixing Accutane and Alcohol

• A study of 322 people4 taking isotretinoin for acne found that it often caused higher levels of fats in the blood. It also slightly raised some liver-related blood tests, though serious liver problems were rare.
• A review published in JAMA Dermatology5 looked at many studies on isotretinoin and found that 2% to 24% of patients had mild changes in liver blood tests. However, these changes were usually not serious enough to stop the treatment.

A Dermatologist’s Take on Whether You Can Drink on Accutane

A study in Dermatologica6found that waiting one month after stopping treatment is considered enough for the drug to leave the body, especially for women who need to avoid pregnancy.

Recover from Alcohol Dependence with ChoicePoint’s Support

ChoicePoint offers various options for the treatment of alcohol dependence, including Alcohol Outpatient Detox, Intensive Outpatient Alcohol Treatment, Partial Hospitalization Program, and various therapies. Our staff will let you know how to sober up from alcohol fast. You can get an insurance-covered alcohol treatment at our clinic. All you need to do is verify your insurance coverage on our website and book an appointment.

Free Addiction Assessment

Please note this assessment is an initial self-screening, and it is not meant to be a medical assessment or clinical diagnosis of addiction. For proper diagnosis and treatment, schedule an appointment with ChoicePoint.

FAQs

Got questions about drinking on Accutane? Find out the what, why, and how with in-depth answers to help you stay informed and safe during your treatment.

1. What Should I Do If I Accidentally Drank While on Accutane?

If you accidentally drink while on Accutane, monitor any unusual symptoms, like fatigue, nausea, or mood changes. Inform your doctor or dermatologist, who may request a blood test to check liver function and lipid levels. One-time consumption may not require stopping treatment, but regular drinking can be harmful.

2. Is It Safe to Have One or Two Drinks While Taking 40mg Accutane?

No, it is generally not safe to drink while taking Accutane. There are serious potential risks involved in it. Combining the two may increase the risk of liver damage. It may also raise fat (triglyceride) levels in the blood, which may lead to serious complications like pancreas inflammation or heart disease.

3. Is Non-Alcoholic Beer or Wine Safe While on Accutane?

If you drink a moderate amount of non-alcoholic beer and wine while on Accutane, it is generally considered a safe option. However, most non-alcoholic drinks contain small amounts of alcohol (typically under 0.5%). It may not cause any serious harm in most people, except those with sensitive livers or high triglycerides. Such people should avoid drinking on Accutane.

4. Does Everyone Have a Bad Reaction to Alcohol on Accutane?

Drinking alcohol during Accutane treatment may have different effects on people. While some may have no adverse effects, others could experience serious liver or mood problems. 

5. What Should I Ask My Doctor About Drinking on Accutane?

You should ask the following details:

• How alcohol might affect your liver and blood test results
• Whether your triglyceride or liver levels are already elevated
• If occasional drinking is safe in your specific case
• What symptoms to watch for if you do drink

Sources

1. Saeidnia, S., & Gohari, A. R. (2023). Nanocarriers for Skin Delivery of Drugs: Advances and Challenges. Cosmetics, 12(1), 17. https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics12010017
2. Barbieri, J. S., Shin, D. B., Wang, S., Margolis, D. J., Takeshita, J., & Gelfand, J. M. (2019). Association of isotretinoin use with depression in patients with acne vulgaris: A systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Dermatology, 155(8), 890–896. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamadermatol.2019.1416
3. StatPearls. (2023). Isotretinoin. In StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK582775
4. Georgakopoulos, J. R., Mufti, A., Ighani, A., Yeung, J., & Yeung, J. (2024). Evaluation of Acne Treatment Practices in Adolescents Across Dermatology, Pediatrics, and Family Medicine. JAMA Dermatology. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38161524/
5. Wessels, F., & Zane, L. T. (2016). Retinoids in Acne Therapy: A Review of Current Literature. JAMA Dermatology, 152(4), 448–449. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamadermatol.2015.4746
6. Layton, A. M. (2009). The use of isotretinoin in acne. Dermatologic Therapy, 22(5), 368–380. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1529-8019.2009.01248.x