Taken Isotretinoin with alcohol, hangover since 4 days and yellow sclera.

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Hello,I have since the 10th of january been undergoing a isotretinoin treatment to get rid of my acne problem. I have besides dry skin not had any problems or side effect during the treatment. Last monday, now a week ago, i went into town with a some friends, and drank alcohol. I have not had any problems with drinking alcohol before, but this night was different and i were badly affected even after 8-10 drinks. I went home and got sick. The day after i woke up with what i would normally call a standard hangover, but this time the hangover lasted for 4 full days, which i have never tried before. I know that the drug i take right now is digraded in the liver, and i know that the same thing is the case for alcohol. I experienced dizziness, nausea and constipation in those days after the night out. All of that is now gone, but i am started to get a yellowish color in my eyes, and i was woreing that this might be jaundice. I just wanted to know if jaundice normally could be assosiated with the treatment i am currently undergoing - and that i becasue of this did not have to worry, of it is possible that i simply becasue of the mixture of alcohol and the drug has caused some kind of a liver overlaod.

Submitted: 4 Days
Category: Community

Expert:  Dr. John Monheit replied 4 Days.

Hello, Thank you for asking your query at DoctorSpring.

Isotretinoin is vitamin A which has some severe toxicities involving liver. Having alcohol in high concentrations will further aggravate the effect on liver. From your symptoms of yellowish discoloration in eye suggests you have developed jaundice, it's a sign that your livers functions are detiorating. Alcohol gets metabolized in liver, and finally excreted out of the body. Once the alcohol is excreted out, its effects like hang over ends. But, its important you also understand that each time alcohol gets metabolized in liver, it tends to damage the liver also.

Isotretinoin has toxic effects on liver. Therefore, both synergistically damage the liver, slowing the metabolization of substances including alcohol that's the reason you are having hang over for a long period of time and you have also developed jaundice.

Firstly, I suggest you stop having alcohol completely. You also need to check your liver function tests. Do not have any drugs, as most of drugs metabolize in liver. Have less fat food, more fruits and green leafy vegetables as they have free radicals that detoxify the liver. Suggest you visit a physician, regarding the treatment plan based on your reports of liver function tests.

Hope this helps. Please feel free to ask follow-up questions

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