Drug interactions
Isotretinoin + Palovarotene
Severity: Contraindicated
Isotretinoin and Palovarotene: contraindicated interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Palovarotene is an oral retinoid, and adding isotretinoin produces additive retinoid exposure. This may cause hypervitaminosis A-type toxicity including mucocutaneous effects, hepatotoxicity, and raised intracranial pressure, along with additive teratogenicity.
What this interaction means in plain words
Isotretinoin and Palovarotene are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two.
Isotretinoin belongs to Dermatology; Palovarotene belongs to Miscellaneous.
Why it happens
Additive pharmacodynamic retinoid receptor activity leading to hypervitaminosis A toxicity.
What to do
Do not combine two systemic retinoids; use only one. Select an alternative for the second indication.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there an alternative to one of these two medicines for me?
- If both are essential, who is monitoring me and how often?
- Which symptoms mean I should stop and seek help straight away?
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Other interactions of Isotretinoin
- Demeclocycline + Isotretinoin Contraindicated
- Isotretinoin + Minocycline Contraindicated
- Isotretinoin + Oxytetracycline Contraindicated
- Aminolevulinic acid + Isotretinoin Major
- Doxycycline + Isotretinoin Major
- Isotretinoin + Lomitapide Major
Other interactions of Palovarotene
- Acitretin + Palovarotene Contraindicated
- Amiodarone + Palovarotene Major
- Amobarbital + Palovarotene Major
- Apalutamide + Palovarotene Major
- Aprepitant + Palovarotene Major
- Carbamazepine + Palovarotene Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Isotretinoin with Palovarotene?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Isotretinoin and Palovarotene are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two. Palovarotene is an oral retinoid, and adding isotretinoin produces additive retinoid exposure. This may cause hypervitaminosis A-type toxicity including mucocutaneous effects, hepatotoxicity, and raised intracranial pressure, along with additive teratogenicity.
How serious is the interaction between Isotretinoin and Palovarotene?
MediHelp rates it contraindicated, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Do not combine two systemic retinoids; use only one. Select an alternative for the second indication.
What other medicines interact with Isotretinoin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Isotretinoin with, for example, Demeclocycline, Minocycline, Oxytetracycline. The full list is on the Isotretinoin page.
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