Claravis
Claravis Overview
Claravis (generic: isotretinoin) is a prescription medicine used to treat the most severe form of acne (recalcitrant nodular acne) when all other treatment options have not worked. Claravis belongs to a group of drugs known as retinoids. It works by reducing the size of sebaceous glands in the skin that help cause acne, and by decreasing sebum (an oily substance) production.
Claravis comes in capsule form. It is usually given twice a day for fifteen to twenty weeks.
Claravis can cause severe side effects including birth defects when taken by pregnant women. Common, less serious side effects include dry skin, chapped lips, dry eyes, and dry nose.
Because Claravis can cause birth defects, patients, doctors, and pharmacies must be registered with a special distribution program called the iPLEDGE program.
