Can You Take Augmentin While Taking Accutane?
Yes, you can take Augmentin (amoxicillin/clavulanate) while taking Accutane (isotretinoin), as there is no documented pharmacological interaction between these medications. However, this combination requires careful consideration because tetracycline-class antibiotics—not penicillins like Augmentin—are specifically contraindicated with isotretinoin.
Key Drug Interaction Principles
The critical contraindication with isotretinoin involves tetracycline antibiotics (tetracycline, doxycycline, minocycline), which can cause pseudotumor cerebri (benign intracranial hypertension) when combined with retinoids 1. This serious adverse effect results from both drug classes independently increasing intracranial pressure, creating an additive risk 1.
Augmentin is a penicillin-based antibiotic, not a tetracycline, and therefore does not share this mechanism of toxicity 2, 3, 4.
Why This Combination Is Generally Safe
Isotretinoin's documented drug interactions primarily involve:
Augmentin does not fall into any of these categories and has no known interaction with retinoid metabolism 2, 3.
Important Clinical Caveats
Monitor for Hepatotoxicity
Both medications can independently affect liver function:
- Isotretinoin commonly causes elevated liver function tests 1
- Augmentin can rarely cause cholestatic jaundice, sometimes delayed by weeks after treatment 6
Recommendation: Continue standard monitoring for isotretinoin (LFTs monthly for first 3 months, then every 3 months) 1. If Augmentin is used for more than a short course, consider additional LFT monitoring 5.
Infection Management on Isotretinoin
When treating infections in patients on isotretinoin:
- Use Augmentin freely for appropriate bacterial infections (respiratory, skin, urinary tract) 2, 4
- Absolutely avoid tetracyclines, doxycycline, or minocycline 1
- Consider alternative antibiotics like macrolides or fluoroquinolones if penicillin allergy exists
Duration Considerations
Augmentin is typically prescribed for short courses (5-14 days) 2, 4, which minimizes any theoretical risk of cumulative hepatotoxicity when combined with long-term isotretinoin therapy.
Common Pitfall to Avoid
Do not confuse this question with tetracycline antibiotics. The most critical error would be prescribing tetracycline-class antibiotics (commonly used for acne) to a patient on isotretinoin, as this creates genuine risk of pseudotumor cerebri 1. Augmentin does not carry this risk.