Accutane is a medication that’s commonly prescribed to treat acne. The American Academy of Dermatology Association estimates that up to 50 million Americans deal with acne each year. This statistic points to how prevalent acne is, demonstrating the need for Accutane prescriptions. While Accutane prescriptions are given frequently, the use of this medication should still be taken seriously.
Acne and cannabis are a complicated combination, with potentially complicated interactions and safety concerns. As always, it’s important to speak with a medical provider before you add anything to your health and wellness routine so that you can make informed decisions.
What is Accutane?
Isotretinoin, commonly known as Accutane, is intended to treat severe acne. It does this through impacting sebaceous glands. Accutane is intended to be a last resort and is typically not prescribed until other options, such as antibiotics, have been exhausted. There are a variety of non-FDA-approved uses of this medication, including treatment of T-cell lymphomas, rosacea, and neuroblastoma.
Accutane is a systemic retinoid and it’s administered orally. Accutane typically inhibits sebaceous glands, where overactivity can lead to acne. Due to the structure of the medication, taking Accutane with a meal can improve results. Many individuals begin with a smaller dosage and then work their way up if they're able to tolerate a higher amount.
Patients report a variety of side effects from using Accutane. Some common side effects include dry skin, headaches, and back pain. There are often ways to manage the side effects of this medication, so it’s best to reach out to your doctor if you’re experiencing unwanted effects.
Accutane is a serious medication. Individuals should be aware of the possible effects of taking Accutane before use.
Can You Smoke Weed on Accutane?
Many studies surrounding cannabis are still in their early stages, so there are many unanswered questions about its interactions with other substances, including Accutane. If you’re wondering if you can safely combine weed and Accutane, there isn’t currently a clear answer. While there isn’t any research that points to significant, severe adverse effects from this combination, there also aren’t any studies that point to known benefits.
While there hasn’t been much research that has examined the combination, there is some known information about cannabis and acne. Contrary to what some believe, there is no research that suggests cannabis is a cause of acne. However, it’s possible that some of the effects of cannabis, such as an increased appetite, could lead to the development of acne. With that being said, there are often a variety of different health and lifestyle factors that can contribute to acne, so it’s important to maintain a holistic view of possible causes.
If you’re considering using cannabis and you currently take Accutane, consider reaching out to your medical provider and asking them for advice. They’ll likely be able to point you in the right direction and can help you make an informed decision about the right health and wellness choices for you.
What About Accutane and Other Forms of Cannabis Consumption?
When it comes to using Accutane and weed, there isn’t much that’s known about various cannabis consumption methods. Some people choose to use topical cannabis products for their acne. If you think that this might be the right choice for you, consider reaching out to a medical professional and discussing it further. If you’ve never used a topical cannabis product before, then it might not be the best decision to start using a product right when you start taking Accutane. This could lead to varied results and an inability to pinpoint the real problem or solution.
If you are going to use a topical cannabis product on your skin, it’s important to make sure that it comes from a reliable source. Many brands have information about their production methods online, as well as insights into the ingredients that they use. Checking out a brand’s website can be a great way to learn more about their products and decide if they could be the right fit for you.
It is possible that smoking cannabis could lead to negative effects on the skin, and because of this, some people choose edibles. There isn’t significant research that suggests any harmful skin effects that can come from using edible cannabis products, so this is an option to consider if you’re focusing on your skin health.
Just as with topical products, it’s important to make sure that your edible cannabis products are coming from a reputable source. Check with local dispensaries and ask them what products they’d recommend, especially if you’re wanting to focus on skin health.
Can I Combine Accutane with Cannabis Topicals?
There are a few different reasons why topical cannabis products could potentially be a good option for individuals who want to use cannabis and Accutane at the same time.
Different methods of cannabis are metabolized in different ways, such as edible products being metabolized by the liver. Topical products – with the exception of transdermal patches – do not enter the bloodstream. Due to this, they don’t have the same effect on the body as other methods of consumption, and it's likely that topical cannabis options will not produce adverse effects when combined with Accutane, though there's no research to confirm this.
One of the pros of using cannabis products is that you can be very specific about where you apply them. This means that you can directly apply them to areas of the skin that are irritated or more prone to acne.
One of the cons of using cannabis topicals alongside Accutane is that you likely won’t know which one is producing results. For example, if you used Accutane alone and your acne cleared up, you could easily say that this was due to the medication. Not knowing which factors are affecting your acne could lead to confusion or the discontinuation of the wrong product, so this is an important factor to keep in mind.
In regards to topical CBD products, there is some research that’s found that CBD may reduce inflammation, which could lead to positive effects on acne.1 If you’re going to be using CBD for inflammation, it’s best to use either a topical product or an edible option. Dosage for inflammation relief specifically can vary widely, so speak with your doctor about what option might be the right choice for you.
Best Practices When Taking Accutane with Weed
The first thing that you should do is speak with a doctor about your individual situation. There are a variety of health concerns that may mean you’re not a good candidate for trying this combination, so it’s best to consult with a professional about all of your different options.
One important thing to keep in mind when it comes to using cannabis is that you should always check the ingredients of the products that you’re using. Some products may contain ingredients that aren’t beneficial for the skin, so make sure to read the fine print.
If you take cannabis and are currently also taking Accutane, it’s important to watch for any concerning symptoms. If you’re experiencing effects that are worrisome, consider reaching out for medical attention. Always seek medical advice when you’re unsure about a certain situation.
If you’re concerned about your skin health, then you may want to stay away from cannabis products that are smoked. Exposure to smoke could have negative effects on your skin. If you’re going to use cannabis, consider opting for a topical or edible option.
References
- Peyravian N, Deo S, Daunert S, Jimenez JJ. The Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Cannabidiol (CBD) on Acne. J Inflamm Res. 2022;15:2795-2801. doi:10.2147/JIR.S355489 ↩︎
The information in this article and any included images or charts are for educational purposes only. This information is neither a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional legal advice or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about laws, regulations, or your health, you should always consult with an attorney, physician or other licensed professional.
