The users guide
to prescription drugs
and supplements

Finding the right
medication is important
Let RateADrug help.

Evaluate your current medication
Compare conventional and alternative therapies
Get information without drug company bias

PreMed PREP FAQs About Us Contact Us

|Compare Treatments

|Evaluate Your Treatment

Search for a Treatment

Find Treatments by Condition

Browse by name:

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Ba-Bd | Be-Bh | Bi-Bo | Bp-Br | Bs-Bz

Da-Dd | De | Df-Di |Dj-Do | Dp-Dz

Ea-El | Em-Ep | Eq-Es | Et | Eu-Ez

Ha-He | Hf-Hz

Ia-Il | Im-In | Io-Ip | Iq-Iz

La-Ld | Le| Lf-Ln| Lo | Lp-Lz

Na | Nb-Nh | Ni | Nj-Nz

Oa-Op | Oq-Ow | Ox-Oz

Ra-Rd | Re | Rf-Rz

Claravis

Isotretinoin

View / Add User Comments (6)

User Ratings

Out of 10

Satisfaction

3.1

4 Effectiveness

6.9 Side Effects

5 Holistic Benefits

RateADrug users have reported 10 Claravis side effects and 3 Claravis benefits.

Be better informed. Are you taking Claravis?

Yes |No

Get Help

Evaluate Your Treatment

Treatment Information

Description | Uses & Side Effects | Warnings

There is currently no information to display in this section. RateADrug provides information about drugs and supplements though a wiki format provided by researchers, health care providers and others. We encourage you to add to this description by clicking on the button below.

Common Uses:

Claravis is used for treating severe acne in patients who do not respond to other medicines. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Claravis is a retinoid. It works by reducing skin oil production, changing the characteristics of the skin oil, and preventing abnormal hardening of the skin.

Off Label Uses:

Off label uses of Claravis include prevention of recurrence of oral cancer, leukoplakia, and oral lichen planus.

Side Effects:
Some of the common side effects of Claravis include the following:

Abnormal hair growth; abnormal skin sensations; bleeding and redness or swelling of the gums;changes in menstrual flow; chapped lips; decreased tolerance to contact lenses; dizziness; dry eyes and mouth; dry nose that may lead to nosebleeds; dry or peeling skin; fatigue; flushing; general body discomfort; hair thinning; headache; itching; lack of energy; nervousness; respiratory tract infection; sleeplessness; sweating; temporary worsening of acne; voice changes.

Some serious but no common side effects of Claravis include the following:
Severe allergic reactions, bizarre, aggressive, or violent behavior; bowel pain; chest pain or pounding in the chest; dark urine; depression; difficult or painful swallowing; difficulty moving; excessive thirst or urination; fainting; fast heartbeat; fever; fractured or weak bones; hearing problems or ringing in the ears; increased pressure in the brain joint or back pain; leg swelling; muscle weakness with or without pain; nausea; new or worsening heartburn; rectal bleeding; red patches or bruises on the legs; shortness of breath; seizures; severe birth defects; severe diarrhea; severe headache; skin infection; slurred speech; stomach pain or tenderness; stroke; stunted growth in children; sun sensitivity; swelling of the pancreas, swollen glands; thoughts of suicide; tightness in the lungs; vision changes; vomiting; weakness; yellowing of the skin or eyes.

Cautions / Warnings:

Cautions and warnings for Claravis include the following:

Women who are pregnant must not use Claravis. Women must also avoid becoming pregnant while taking this medication. Serious birth defects, miscarriages, and premature births have occurred when this drug has been used during pregnancy.

For female patients, two effective forms of birth control must be used for one month before starting Claravis, during use, and for one month after stopping this drug. You must also have monthly pregnancy-avoidance counseling from your doctor. Do not use "minipills" for birth control since they may not work as well with isotretinoin. If you are late in having your period, or if you have sexual intercourse at any time without using two effective forms of birth control, stop taking this medication and contact your doctor immediately.

After December 31, 2005, only patients enrolled in the iPLEDGE program may obtain and use isotretinoin. You will need to register with iPLEDGE and view a video at your doctor's office before receiving your prescription. Only physicians enrolled in iPLEDGE may prescribe isotretinoin, and only pharmacies enrolled in the program may dispense it. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details about the iPLEDGE program and for more information about the risks and benefits of using this medication.

For female patients who are able to become pregnant, you will need to contact iPLEDGE every month, either through the internet or by telephone, and answer required questions every time you fill your prescription and 1 month after your last dose.

These requirements apply in the United States. If you live in Canada or any other country, consult your doctor and pharmacist for your specific regulations.

Drug Interactions:
Claravis reacts with various other medications like tetracyclines, antiacne topical preparations, tretinoin, and vitamin A medications.

View / Add User Comments (6)

Claravis Comments

12 Sep 2012

Very dry mouth, swollen gums, now they are bleeding, so I will make another appointment with my dentist . ( I just had a dental appointment 2 -1/2 weeks ago; had lots of plaque build up in such a short period of time, only 3 months since my last appointment) severe skin allergies, acne worsen (had very crusty, dry, infected facial skin, so my dermatologist instructed to discontinue, so I did. I used a total of 1 1/2 to 2 months. Very dry eyes, and blurred vision, saw an optometrist, and an opthomologist, blood pressure is a bit elevated, ( I have an appointment next week to see dr to check out why my blood pressure is elevated.

—Posted by Anonymous

23 Jul 2011

Really cleared my face up but came with the well-known mood swings, depressive moods, feelings of sadness, sensitivity to light, sensitive skin, dry skin etc. All quite annoying and had to be dealt with accordingly. Always remind yourself it's the medicine, and have to be able to let things go, for me my patience levels dropped significantly. Overall, i'm glad i'm done with it, took it from feb-july, i would recommend taking in winter so as to avoid the constant, necessary coating of sunscreen. The effects are noticeable and it's great to hear comments on how clear you face is as compared to: "Oh my god, you need to get some medicine for that".

—Posted by Christian Q.

17 Jun 2011

Took Claravis for 5 months have been off for 3 months. Had surgery 8 weeks after I went off it. Have had a really bad time healing. In pain, depressed, no energy, bad migraines, chest pain and hard to breath at times..have been having back pain and some vision issues. Can't find a doctor that wants to help me. I am a 41 year old very active type A personality and I feel like I am all alone and nobody cares or understands.

—Posted by hjgravley

View / Add User Comments (6)

Exclusive Features

New

Famous People with Cancer

SmallFarrah Fawcett SGG-047930.jpg

Farrah Fawcett

She was diagnosed with anal cancer in 2006. Initially she believed she'd beaten it; anal cancer is highly curable if found in the early stages.

SmallBruce Paltrow and Blythe Danner LRS-042442.jpg

Bruce Paltrow

Paltrow was diagnosed with oral cancer, which hits about 40,000 Americans every year. If it's diagnosed early enough it can be cured relatively easily.

SmallPartick Swayze PRN-011912.jpg

Patrick Swayze

Patrick Swayze underwent treatment with the new Cyberknife radiotherapy, and survived longer than is usual for people with pancreatic cancer.

SmallEvaperoncasarosada.jpg

Eva Perón

She was the first person in Argentina to receive chemotherapy although she was never told about the cervical cancer that killed her.

Small577px-Goody.jpg

Jade Goody

Goody learned that she had cervical cancer while actually on camera during the Indian version of Big Brother.

SmallSteve_Jobs.jpg

Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs, the whip-smart CEO of Apple Inc., has been treated surgically for a rare form of pancreatic cancer, an islet cell neuroendocrine tumor. But he tried alternative treatments first.

SmallFrank_McCourt_by_David_Shankbone.jpg

Frank McCourt

Frank McCourt won the Pulitzer Prize for his luminous memoir 'Angela's Ashes,' but his fight with melanoma has been complicated by meningitis.

SmallCharlton_Heston_Civil_Rights_March_1963.jpg

Charlton Heston

Heston suffered from prostate cancer, pneumonia, and Alzhimer's disease.

SmallOlivia_Newton-John_Sydney_2008.jpg

Olivia Newton-John

Star of the movie musical Grease found out she had breast cancer at age 44. She used Eastern and Western techniques to battle the illness.

Small602px-Christina_Applegate_1.JPG

Christina Applegate

Applegate was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 36, but was prepared for it because of her family history and a genetic test.

Small423px-Kylie_Minogue_2_(2009).jpg

Kylie Minogue

Minogue was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 37, and said that undergoing chemotherapy was like "experiencing a nuclear bomb."

Small460px-Edie_Falco_by_David_Shankbone.jpg

Edie Falco

The Sopranos star Edie Falco underwent chemotherapy during filming. She kept her illness a secret from the cast and crew to maintain strength.

SmallPaull_Allen_fix_1.JPG

Paul Allen

Co-founder of Microsoft recovered from Hodgkin's lymphoma in 1983, and was recently diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2009.

SmallLynnRedgrave.jpg

Lynn Redgrave

Lynn Redgrave earned an OBE for her many services to drama, but she battled with bulimia and then breast cancer, too.

SmallMichael_Douglas_Navy3.jpg

Michael Douglas

'Fatal Attraction' star Michael Douglas had a fatal attraction of his own-to cigarettes. And that may have led to the tumor in his throat that he's currently battling.

Evaluate This Treatment

User Ratings

Comments(6)

More About This Treatment

How does your Treatment Compare?

Choose a Condition:

Show results for:

Brands	Effectiveness	Holistic Benefits	Side Effects	Number of Ratings
Accutane	8.04	7.23	4.06	45
Minocycline Hydrochloride	6.57	5.66	2.45	23
Doxycycline Hyclate	6.27	6.54	4.4	15
Differin	5.1	4.77	3.41	20
Solodyn	4.5	3.98	2.92	16
Claravis	2.88	4.63	4.99	8

View All	About these Scores
	Choose a condition to compare treatments based on user feedback. You can sort by Effectiveness, Holistic Benefits or Side Effects RateADrug user scores, or the number of Ratings. Scores gain significance with the number of ratings, so please share your experiences - rate your drug! Close

Effectiveness of Claravis by Condition

Click on a condition to view RateADrug.com users ratings

Acne

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Effectiveness on "Acne"

About these Results
Out of 100% of people surveyed, these results show the distribution in percentages of how users rate the effectiveness of their medication. Click on the various conditions to see how the effectiveness ratings change. Close

Not at all

Mildly

Moderately

Very

Extremely

How effective is Claravis?

Reported Changes in Health and Well-Being

Since taking Claravis, RateADrug survey participants noticed these changes in their health:

Effect on:	Much Worse	Worse	No Change	Better	Much Better
Appetite	0%	13.3%	86.7%	0%	0%
Balance/Equilibrium	0%	0%	93.3%	6.7%	0%
Blood Pressure	6.7%	0%	80%	13.3%	0%
Breathing	0%	6.7%	80%	13.3%	0%
Confidence	6.2%	6.2%	68.8%	12.5%	6.2%
Coordination/Motor Skills	0%	6.7%	86.7%	0%	6.7%
Digestion	0%	6.7%	80%	13.3%	0%
Emotional Well-being	6.2%	12.5%	62.5%	12.5%	6.2%
Energy	0%	12.5%	68.8%	6.2%	12.5%
Eyesight	6.7%	6.7%	73.3%	13.3%	0%
Memory	0%	0%	86.7%	13.3%	0%
Mental Clarity	0%	20%	66.7%	6.7%	6.7%
Pain	20%	13.3%	53.3%	6.7%	6.7%
Patience	18.8%	0%	62.5%	12.5%	6.2%
Sexual Health	0%	0%	100%	0%	0%
Skin Complexion	12.5%	25%	25%	0%	37.5%
Sleep	0%	12.5%	68.8%	18.8%	0%
Stress Level	18.8%	0%	62.5%	12.5%	6.2%

About these Scores
Out of 100% of people surveyed, these results show the distribution in percentages of negative or positive changes in health and well-being experienced by users for all of the categories listed. Close

Commonly Reported Claravis Side Effects

RateADrug survey participants experienced these commonly reported side effects:

Effect on:	None	Mild	Moderate	Strong	Severe
Allergic Reaction	80%	6.7%	6.7%	0%	6.7%
Anxiety	50%	25%	0%	0%	25%
Blistering	80%	6.7%	6.7%	6.7%	0%
Blurred Vision	50%	0%	25%	25%	0%
Breathing Difficulties	50%	0%	25%	0%	25%
Change in Skin Coloring	86.7%	6.7%	0%	6.7%	0%
Cold Symptoms	75%	25%	0%	0%	0%
Confusion	50%	25%	0%	25%	0%
Depression	50%	25%	0%	0%	25%
Diarrhea	50%	25%	0%	25%	0%
Dizziness	86.7%	13.3%	0%	0%	0%
Drowsiness	50%	25%	0%	0%	25%
Dry Eyes	61.5%	30.8%	0%	0%	7.7%
Dry Skin	23.5%	29.4%	17.6%	23.5%	5.9%
Fatigue	66.7%	6.7%	20%	6.7%	0%
Fever	75%	25%	0%	0%	0%
Gas	50%	50%	0%	0%	0%
Headache	60%	13.3%	20%	0%	6.7%
Insomnia	50%	25%	0%	25%	0%
Irregular Heartbeat	50%	0%	25%	0%	25%
Itching	53.3%	26.7%	6.7%	13.3%	0%
Mood Swings	50%	0%	25%	0%	25%
Muscle Cramping	50%	0%	25%	25%	0%
Nausea	73.3%	6.7%	13.3%	6.7%	0%
Redness	56.2%	18.8%	12.5%	12.5%	0%
Scaling	73.3%	6.7%	0%	13.3%	6.7%
Sensitivity to Light	56.2%	12.5%	25%	6.2%	0%
Stomach Ache	50%	0%	25%	25%	0%

About these Scores
Out of 100% of people surveyed, these results show the distribution in percentages of the severity of side effects experienced by users. Scores gain significance with the number of ratings, so please share your experiences - rate your drug! Close

Less Commonly Reported Claravis Side Effects

RateADrug survey participants experienced less commonly reported side effects:

Effect on:	None	Mild	Moderate	Strong	Severe
Back Pain	0%	0%	0%	100%	0%
Behavioral / Mood Disorder	66.7%	20%	6.7%	0%	6.7%
Breast Tenderness	86.7%	0%	6.7%	0%	6.7%
Change in Sex Drive	93.3%	0%	6.7%	0%	0%
Change in Weight	93.3%	6.7%	0%	0%	0%
Depression	81.8%	18.2%	0%	0%	0%
Drowsiness	81.8%	9.1%	9.1%	0%	0%
Eye / Vision Problems	73.3%	6.7%	13.3%	0%	6.7%
Hearing Loss	86.7%	13.3%	0%	0%	0%
High Blood Pressure	90.9%	0%	0%	9.1%	0%
Leg and/or Foot Cramping	86.7%	13.3%	0%	0%	0%
Mood Swings	63.6%	0%	27.3%	9.1%	0%
Muscle / Joint Pain	60%	13.3%	13.3%	6.7%	6.7%
Reduced Libido	88.9%	0%	0%	11.1%	0%
Scaling	0%	100%	0%	0%	0%
Suicidal Tendencies	86.7%	6.7%	0%	6.7%	0%
Thrombosis (Blood Clotting)	93.3%	0%	6.7%	0%	0%
Tooth Discoloration	93.3%	6.7%	0%	0%	0%
Tumor	93.3%	0%	6.7%	0%	0%

About these Scores
Out of 100% of people surveyed, these results show the distribution in percentages of the severity of side effects experienced by users. Scores gain significance with the number of ratings, so please share your experiences - rate your drug! Close

Episodes since taking Claravis

Since taking Claravis Rate a Drug survey participants reported these episodes:

Fall

Hospitalization

About these Results
Out of 100% of people surveyed, these results show the percentage of users who have experienced any of these episodes while taking their medication. Close

How does your experience compare with other Claravis users?

Online Health Care Dispute Resolution

Need help resolving complaints against a doctor, insurance company or other health care provider

User Comments about Claravis

12 Sep 2012	Very dry mouth, swollen gums, now they are bleeding, so I will make another appointment with my dentist . ( I just had a dental appointment 2 -1/2 weeks ago; had lots of plaque build up in such a short period of time, only 3 months since my last appointment) severe skin allergies, acne worsen (had very crusty, dry, infected facial skin, so my dermatologist instructed to discontinue, so I did. I used a total of 1 1/2 to 2 months. Very dry eyes, and blurred vision, saw an optometrist, and an opthomologist, blood pressure is a bit elevated, ( I have an appointment next week to see dr to check out why my blood pressure is elevated. —Posted by Anonymous Respond Display Name: Email: (Required) Notify me of new comments Email me monthly survey results Sending... I agree to the Terms of Use
23 Jul 2011	Really cleared my face up but came with the well-known mood swings, depressive moods, feelings of sadness, sensitivity to light, sensitive skin, dry skin etc. All quite annoying and had to be dealt with accordingly. Always remind yourself it's the medicine, and have to be able to let things go, for me my patience levels dropped significantly. Overall, i'm glad i'm done with it, took it from feb-july, i would recommend taking in winter so as to avoid the constant, necessary coating of sunscreen. The effects are noticeable and it's great to hear comments on how clear you face is as compared to: "Oh my god, you need to get some medicine for that". —Posted by Christian Q. Respond Display Name: Email: (Required) Notify me of new comments Email me monthly survey results Sending... I agree to the Terms of Use
17 Jun 2011	Took Claravis for 5 months have been off for 3 months. Had surgery 8 weeks after I went off it. Have had a really bad time healing. In pain, depressed, no energy, bad migraines, chest pain and hard to breath at times..have been having back pain and some vision issues. Can't find a doctor that wants to help me. I am a 41 year old very active type A personality and I feel like I am all alone and nobody cares or understands. —Posted by hjgravley Respond Display Name: Email: (Required) Notify me of new comments Email me monthly survey results Sending... I agree to the Terms of Use
16 Sep 2010	Initially after starting Claravis, I broke out with large cysts that had to be injected and drained by the Derm Dr. After over two months of treatment, I am still breaking out with milder acne, but my skin is terrible red, fragile, peeling, scaling, and in general, looks TERRIBLE. In some ways it is better, but in other ways, it is so much worse. I feel stiff, sore, and generally uncomfortable. —Posted by Barbara Respond Display Name: Email: (Required) Notify me of new comments Email me monthly survey results Sending... I agree to the Terms of Use
11 Apr 2009	I found that I had more enegy on claravis- but am lacking that as I get off of the drug. Wondering if my body is missing something that these pills had in them. —Posted by Anonymous Respond Display Name: Email: (Required) Notify me of new comments Email me monthly survey results Sending... I agree to the Terms of Use

See Important Disclosures

Email to a Friend

Link to Survey Results

Expert Videos

Yogic Sun Salutation for Healthy Circulation
by: Ronda Whitney
Runtime: 00:02:13
Views: 288 | Comments (1)

Acupuncture: Treating Root Causes
by: Sarah Brooks
Runtime: 00:02:01
Views: 149 | Comments (1)

Classical 5-Element Acupuncture Demo
by: Sarah Brooks
Runtime: 00:00:40
Views: 227 | Comments (1)

People Helping People: Creative Ways of Treating Disabilities
by: ca
Runtime: 00:09:54
Views: 128 | Comments (3)

The Maharishi Ayurveda Approach to Prostate Health
by: Maharishi Ayurveda Products International
Runtime: 00:05:22
Views: 209 | Comments (1)

Submit an Expert Video

For Your Health

Celebrity Health
Learn how your favorite celebrities cope with illnesses
Medical Tourism
Save money with medical procedures over seas
Bizarre Treatments
What are the weirdest treatments in the world? Find out.
Hypertension
Health tips for high blood pressure
Depression
Health tips for depression
Respiratory Illness
Tips for healthy respiration
Birth Control
Birth control methods reviewed

Patient Resources

Legal / Regulatory Notices

Health Practitioners

Wellness Products

Clinical Trials / Research

Lifestyle

Medication Name:

Claravis

RateADrug users have reported 10 Claravis side effects and 3 Claravis benefits.

Farrah Fawcett

She was diagnosed with anal cancer in 2006. Initially she believed she'd beaten it; anal cancer is highly curable if found in the early stages.

Bruce Paltrow

Paltrow was diagnosed with oral cancer, which hits about 40,000 Americans every year. If it's diagnosed early enough it can be cured relatively easily.

Patrick Swayze

Patrick Swayze underwent treatment with the new Cyberknife radiotherapy, and survived longer than is usual for people with pancreatic cancer.

Eva Perón

She was the first person in Argentina to receive chemotherapy although she was never told about the cervical cancer that killed her.

Jade Goody

Goody learned that she had cervical cancer while actually on camera during the Indian version of Big Brother.

Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs, the whip-smart CEO of Apple Inc., has been treated surgically for a rare form of pancreatic cancer, an islet cell neuroendocrine tumor. But he tried alternative treatments first.

Frank McCourt

Frank McCourt won the Pulitzer Prize for his luminous memoir 'Angela's Ashes,' but his fight with melanoma has been complicated by meningitis.

Charlton Heston

Heston suffered from prostate cancer, pneumonia, and Alzhimer's disease.

Olivia Newton-John

Star of the movie musical Grease found out she had breast cancer at age 44. She used Eastern and Western techniques to battle the illness.

Christina Applegate

Applegate was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 36, but was prepared for it because of her family history and a genetic test.

Kylie Minogue

Minogue was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 37, and said that undergoing chemotherapy was like "experiencing a nuclear bomb."

Edie Falco

The Sopranos star Edie Falco underwent chemotherapy during filming. She kept her illness a secret from the cast and crew to maintain strength.

Paul Allen

Co-founder of Microsoft recovered from Hodgkin's lymphoma in 1983, and was recently diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2009.

Lynn Redgrave

Lynn Redgrave earned an OBE for her many services to drama, but she battled with bulimia and then breast cancer, too.

Michael Douglas

'Fatal Attraction' star Michael Douglas had a fatal attraction of his own-to cigarettes. And that may have led to the tumor in his throat that he's currently battling.

Evaluate This Treatment

User Ratings

Comments(6)

More About This Treatment

Online Health Care Dispute Resolution

For Your Health

Directory of Sponsored Services

Health begins with Knowledge. Visit our sponsors on your journey to a healthier, happier life.

Patient Resources

Legal / Regulatory Notices

Health Practitioners

Wellness Products

Clinical Trials / Research

Lifestyle