Drinking Alcohol on Accutane: Risks and Considerations

Accutane, aka Isotretinoin, is a powerful anti-acne drug that strongly affects the body. Like many drugs, Accutane comes with a warning not to mix with alcohol. But can you still have a drink or two on Accutane if you don’t overdo it? What are the health risks of mixing Accutane with alcohol?

We will explain the way that Accutane interacts with alcohol, and answer any questions about drinking alcohol on Accutane and what it does to your body.

Table of Contents

• Can You Drink Alcohol on Accutane?
• What Happens if You Drink Alcohol on Accutane?
• Is It Okay To Drink in Moderation While Taking Accutane?
• Alternative Acne Treatment Options to Accutane
• What To Do if You Can’t Stop Drinking Alcohol on Accutane
• Contact Dove Recovery To Find Professionals Who Want To Help You Overcome Alcohol Addiction

Accutane is a brand name for the prescription medication Isotretinoin. It is also called Absorica, Claravis, and Myorisan. 

Accutane is a powerful anti-acne medication. Everyone experiences acne once in a while, and most people manage fine with over-the-counter remedies. However, severe acne, sometimes called cystic acne or nodular acne, can require prescription medication to treat. 

Accutane helps treat these skin conditions by shrinking the skin's oil glands and increasing cell turnover. This combats the main sources of severe acne: 

• Inflammation
• Clogged pores
• Bacteria overgrowth
• Oil overproduction

Accutane has a great success rate for treating acne, but it is hard on your body. Most doctors require blood work every month for patients on Accutane to ensure that it does not damage vital organs. What happens if you add alcohol to that? Read on to learn more.

Most medications, including Advil and birth control, suggest avoiding alcohol while using them — a warning many people ignore. So, should you really avoid alcohol on Accutane? Yes, and here is why:

Increased Risk of Liver Problems/Damage

The liver plays many crucial roles in the body, specifically detox and purification of the blood. If your liver becomes compromised it can lead to severe and lifelong health problems. 

Studies have shown that 15% of Accutane users experience an increase in liver abnormalities, suggesting damage. Most of these are harmless and work themselves out over the course of treatment. However, when combined with alcohol, the liver can sustain more damage and be unable to heal. If Accutane and alcohol use damages the liver too much, treatment will need to cease to avoid permanent injury. 

Possible High Cholesterol

One of the biggest potential side effects of Accutane is raising “bad” cholesterol and lowering “good” cholesterol. Monitoring cholesterol levels is one of the many reasons that regular blood work is required for anyone on Accutane.

Heavy alcohol use, especially when combined with other lifestyle factors like stress at work and lack of exercise, can also contribute to “bad” cholesterol. If any of these sound familiar, you should avoid drinking while taking Accutane.

Many people find that a medical reason to stop drinking is a great time to reassess their alcohol use. If quitting drinking is proving difficult, there is no shame in getting help from an outpatient alcohol rehab.

Greater Chance of Depression and Mood Swings

Did you know that Accutane has been known to cause depression and mood swings? This side effect is not very common but does happen in a percentage of users. Alcohol's effect as a severe depressant can make those symptoms much worse. Consider avoiding alcohol entirely while taking Accutane to prevent mental health complications. 

Increased Risk of Other Accutane Side Effects

Accutane is considered the most effective severe acne treatment on the market. However, it comes with some common side effects, such as:

• Severe Birth Defects–The risk of birth defects is so high that all patients must take a pregnancy test before beginning treatment and agree to avoid pregnancy while on accutane and shortly thereafter. 
• Dry Skin– Accutane combats acne by lessening oil production. This leads to dry skin, especially on the face and hands. 
• Increase in Liver Enzymes–Your doctor will run tests to ensure that your liver enzymes do not indicate liver injury. 

Every single one of these effects is made worse by alcohol use. If you want to protect your body while clearing your skin with Accutane, you should avoid drinking alcohol. 

Many people mix alcohol with medication. This might leave you asking: What if I just have a drink or two? How much alcohol can I drink while on Accutane?

Accutane is a really strong medication, not given out lightly. It is so carefully monitored that people who admit to drinking are not allowed to be studied due to medical ethics, so there are no real indicators to say what the effects of having 1-2 drinks a day has on Accutane users. However, here are some reasons why even moderate drinking should be avoided while taking Accutane:

• You are drinking more than you think: In medical studies, 1-2 drinks refers to 8 oz. of wine or beer or 1.5 oz. of liquor. So if you are just having 2 beers at 16 oz. each, that actually counts as 4 drinks a night. It adds up quickly. 
• Accutane is serious stuff: Accutane is not prescribed lightly. It is a serious drug that requires medical observation. It is in your best interest to avoid anything that can interfere with Accutane’s working, including alcohol, which can lower Accutane’s effectiveness. 
• Accutane isn’t forever: Most people are only on Accutane for a few weeks, even the most severe cases only need a month or two of treatment, and acne recurrence is rare. You only have to stop drinking for that time, plus the time it takes for the drug to clear your system — a small sacrifice for clear skin. If you find that you cannot stop drinking for this period, even if you want to, it may be time to seek treatment for alcohol-use disorder. 
• Avoiding alcohol is good for your skin: Drinking has been known to make acne worse while drying the skin and causing premature aging. If you are taking the step to seek medical help for your acne, you might as well take a break from drinking. 

Does the intensity of Accutane treatment concern you? Unfortunately, almost all oral acne treatments interact negatively with alcohol. There are other ways to treat severe and persistent acne, including:

• Dietary changes
• Topical treatments, such as retinol 
• Light treatment 
• Laser treatment

There are times in life when it is best to take a break from drinking. It can be for a medical reason, such as an upcoming surgery or Accutane, or it can be for a social reason, like dry January. Either way, if you find that you simply cannot stop drinking even if you want to, it might be time to seek some help. 

There is no shame in admitting that you have a problem with alcohol. The 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health discovered that 16.3 million adults 18 and older reported heavy alcohol use within the past month. A large percentage of people with alcohol use disorder need help to quit. 

That is where Dove Recovery comes in. Whether you are calling for yourself or a loved one, in Columbus Ohio, or beyond, we promise to be the last phone call you will have to make. 

If you know that you should stop drinking alcohol on Accutane and cannot, it might be  time to seek help for alcohol-use disorder. 

Treatment doesn’t have to interrupt your life. Dove Recovery is the best outpatient alcohol treatment center for working professionals in Columbus, Ohio. Our trained staff understands alcohol-use disorder and can get you the treatment you need on your schedule. We promise to be the last phone call you have to make. Check out our website to learn more.