Isopex 20 Capsule belongs to a group of medicines called retinoids (vitamin A derivative). It is used to treat severe acne that has not responded to other treatments.

Isopex 20 Capsule should be used in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Take it with food, preferably at the same time each day to avoid a missed dose. It may take several weeks for your symptoms to improve but keep taking the medicine regularly to get the most benefit. If you notice no improvement after a few weeks, see your doctor again.

The most common side effects include dry skin, rash, and increased liver enzymes. They are not usually serious and often disappear after getting used to the medicine but if they bother you or do not go away, tell your doctor.

Isopex 20 Capsule may make you more sensitive to sunlight so you should limit your exposure to the sun. It may also make your skin more fragile. Avoid any waxing (hair removal), or laser treatments during treatment. Additionally, it may cause dryness of the mouth, lips, and eyes so drink plenty of water and use a moisturizer. This medicine may lead to birth defects, do consult your doctor if you are pregnant or planning pregnancy.

Uses of Isopex Capsule

Treatment of Acne

Benefits of Isopex Capsule

In Treatment of Acne

Isopex 20 Capsule helps treat acne by reducing the production of sebum (a natural substance) that causes acne. This kills acne-causing bacteria and prevents spots or pimples from appearing. It usually takes a few weeks to have a noticeable effect so keep taking it even if it appears not to be working. Sometimes acne may get worse before it gets better, however, with proper use, your skin will get clearer. This medicine will help improve your mood and uplift your confidence as your skin becomes acne-free.

Side effects of Isopex Capsule

Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them

Common side effects of Isopex

Dry skin
Increased liver enzymes
Rash

How to use Isopex Capsule

Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Isopex 20 Capsule is to be taken with food.

How Isopex Capsule works

Isopex 20 Capsule is a derivative of vitamin A. It acts on glands (sebaceous) to reduce the production of a natural substance (sebum) that causes acne. Also, the controlled sebum production kills acne-causing bacteria. It also works as an anti-inflammatory to decrease inflammation (redness and swelling).

Safety advice

Alcohol

CAUTION

Caution is advised when consuming alcohol with Isopex 20 Capsule. Please consult your doctor.

Pregnancy

UNSAFE

Isopex 20 Capsule is highly unsafe to use during pregnancy. Seek your doctor's advice as studies on pregnant women and animals have shown significant harmful effects to the developing baby.

Breast feeding

CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR

Isopex 20 Capsule is probably unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug may pass into the breastmilk and harm the baby.

Driving

UNSAFE

Isopex 20 Capsule may cause side effects which could affect your ability to drive.
Your night vision may get worse during your treatment. This can happen suddenly. Drowsiness and dizziness have been reported very rarely. This may affect your driving ability.

Kidney

CAUTION

Isopex 20 Capsule should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. Dose adjustment of Isopex 20 Capsule may be needed. Please consult your doctor.

Liver

UNSAFE

Isopex 20 Capsule is probably unsafe to use in patients with liver disease and should be avoided. Please consult your doctor.

What if you forget to take Isopex Capsule?

If you miss a dose of Isopex 20 Capsule, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose.

All substitutes

For informational purposes only. Consult a doctor before taking any medicines.

Isopex 20 Capsule

₹21.8/Capsule

Isotane 20 Capsule

Micro Labs Ltd

₹31.5/capsule

44% costlier

Sotret 20mg Capsule

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd

₹33.9/capsule

56% costlier

Tretiva 20 Capsule

Intas Pharmaceuticals Ltd

₹25.6/capsule

17% costlier

Acutret 20 Capsule

Ipca Laboratories Ltd

₹29.7/capsule

36% costlier

Isoin 20 Capsule

Wallace Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd

₹35.3/capsule

62% costlier

View all substitutes

Quick tips

You have been prescribed Isopex 20 Capsule for the treatment of severe acne.
Take it with food.
Avoid exposure to sunlight while using Isopex 20 Capsule. Use protective measures such as sunscreen or protective clothing.
Avoid face waxing and laser treatment while using this medicine as it makes your skin more fragile.
It may cause dryness of mouth, lips, and eyes. Drink plenty of water, use moisturiser and avoid wearing contact lenses. Inform your doctor if it bothers you.
Do not take Isopex 20 Capsule if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Fact Box

Chemical Class

Retinoid

Habit Forming

Therapeutic Class

DERMA

Action Class

Retinoids- First generation

Interaction with drugs

Taking Isopex with any of the following medicines can modify the effect of either of them and cause some undesirable side effects

Doxycycline (Oral Route) Life-threatening

Concurrent use may cause a risk of increased pressure around the brain. Do not consume Isotretinoin with Doxycycline.

Demeclocycline (Oral Route) Life-threatening

Concurrent use may cause a risk of increased pressure around the brain. Do not consume Isotretinoin with Demeclocycline.

Doxycycline (Oral Route) Life-threatening

Concurrent use may cause a risk of increased pressure around the brain. Do not consume Isotretinoin with Doxycycline.

Doxycycline (Injection Route) Life-threatening

Concurrent use may cause a risk of increased pressure around the brain. Do not consume Isotretinoin with Doxycycline.

Lymecycline (Oral Route) Life-threatening

Concurrent use may cause a risk of increased pressure around the brain. Do not consume Isotretinoin with Lymecycline.

View all drug interactions

Patient concerns

i have acne on face and on back.i always took isopex 20 mg for this diseas.but i have no prescription.how can i buy this product

Dr. Atul Jain

Dermatology

You have to visit skin specialist

Please suggest better treatment for acne and piles

Dr. Atul Jain

Dermatology

For acne-use Nadoxin gel at night over acne For piles-pls visit near general surgeon

User feedback

Patients taking Isopex 20 Capsule

Once A Day

86%

Once A Week

Twice A Day

Thrice A week

What are you using Isopex Capsule for?

Acne

93%

Others

How much was the improvement?

Average

44%

Excellent

33%

Poor

23%

What were the side-effects while using Isopex 20 Capsule?

Dry skin

40%

Dry nose

20%

Cracked lips

10%

Rash

10%

No Side Effec*

10%

*No Side Effect

How do you take Isopex Capsule?

With food

88%

With or witho*

12%

*With or without food

Please rate Isopex 20 Capsule on price

Average

52%

Expensive

38%

Not Expensive

10%

FAQs

Is Isopex 20 Capsule safe to use?

Isopex 20 Capsule should be used with care since it is associated with significant adverse reactions. It should be used only for patients with severe nodular acne who are unresponsive to conventional therapy, including systemic antibiotics. In addition, Isopex 20 Capsule should not be used by pregnant women because it can cause severe birth defects.

Is Isopex 20 Capsule a steroid?

No, Isopex 20 Capsule is a retinoid (vitamin A) which is used to treat severe types of acne.

What are the recommended tests during Isopex 20 Capsule therapy?

Your liver enzymes and serum lipids will be checked before the treatment is started. These levels will also be monitored 1 month after the start of treatment and subsequently at 3 monthly intervals unless more frequent monitoring is clinically indicated.

Is the effect of Isopex 20 Capsule permanent?

It has been observed in many patients that a single 15-20-week course effectively cures the condition and prevents it from coming back. If at all a second course is required, one should wait for at least 8 weeks after completion of the first course. This is because experience with Isopex 20 Capsule has shown that the symptoms in the patients with acne may continue to improve following treatment with Isopex 20 Capsule.

Why is Isopex 20 Capsule so dangerous during pregnancy?

If pregnancy occurs during treatment with Isopex 20 Capsule then, there is an extremely high risk that the baby may be born with severe birth defects.

Can Isopex 20 Capsule cause cancer?

No, there are no reports of Isopex 20 Capsule causing cancer. In fact, it may be useful in some forms of head, skin, and neck cancers.

What are the long-term side effects of Isopex 20 Capsule?

A normal course of treatment of Isopex 20 Capsule is 15–20 weeks. Therefore, the long-term effects of low doses have not been studied. However, it may have some effect on bone mineral density. It may decrease bone mineral density in some patients, resulting in osteoporosis or fractures.

Does Isopex 20 Capsule affect male fertility?

No, Isopex 20 Capsule does not affect the fertility of male patients. No significant effects were seen on ejaculate volume, sperm count, total sperm motility, morphology, or seminal plasma fructose.

Does Isopex 20 Capsule damage your liver?

There may be a transient increase in liver enzymes with Isopex 20 Capsule use. Therefore, regular laboratory tests are required. These values generally return to normal after some time. If the levels remain elevated for a long time, your doctor may discontinue the use of Isopex 20 Capsule.

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Disclaimer:

Tata 1mg's sole intention is to ensure that its consumers get information that is expert-reviewed, accurate and trustworthy. However, the information contained herein should NOT be used as a substitute for the advice of a qualified physician. The information provided here is for informational purposes only. This may not cover everything about particular health conditions, lab tests, medicines, all possible side effects, drug interactions, warnings, alerts, etc. Please consult your doctor and discuss all your queries related to any disease or medicine. We intend to support, not replace, the doctor-patient relationship.

References

Robertson DB, Maibach HI. Dermatologic Pharmacology. In: Katzung BG, Masters SB, Trevor AJ, editors. Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. 11th ed. New Delhi, India: Tata McGraw Hill Education Private Limited; 2009. p. 1056.
Burkhart C, Morrell D, Goldsmith L. Dermatological Pharmacology. In: Brunton LL, Chabner BA, Knollmann BC, editors. Goodman & Gilman’s: The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 12th ed. New York, New York: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2011. p. 1812.
Sardana K, Madan A. How to Treat Acne. Sardana K, editor. In: Clinical Approach to Acne Vulgaris. 1st ed. New Delhi: CBS Publishers & Distributors Pvt. Ltd.; 2015. pp. 64-67.
Briggs GG, Freeman RK, editors. A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk: Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health; 2015. pp. 745-47.
Isotretinoin. Nutley, New Jersey: Roche Laboratories Inc.; 2002. [Accessed on 2 Apr. 2019] (online) Available from:
Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO). [Accessed 03 Apr. 2019] (online) Available from:
Central Drugs Standard Control Organization. Safety guidelines for isotretinoin. 2018. [Accessed 05 Jul. 2023]. (online) Available from:
CiplaMed. Isotretinoin [Prescribing Information]. [Last Revised: 29 Nov. 2019]. [Accessed 05 Jul. 2023]. (online) Available from:

Marketer details

Name: Apex Laboratories Pvt Ltd

Address: III Floor SIDCO Garment Complex, Guindy, Chennai 600 032, India

Country of origin: India

The list of available options shown with the same composition has been prepared upon the advice of registered medical practitioners, pharmacists affiliated with TATA 1MG. TATA 1MG does not promote any pharmaceutical product of any particular company, and all recommendations are based on the medical opinion, advisories from specialist medical and pharmaceutical professionals.