Can I drink alcohol while taking isotretinoin?
The safest answer is to avoid alcohol while taking isotretinoin. Current NHS advice says it is best not to drink because of the risk of liver problems, while UK patient information leaflets advise avoiding alcohol or at least reducing your usual intake. Your own prescriber’s advice takes priority because your liver tests, blood fats and other health factors affect the risk.
Why can alcohol be a problem with isotretinoin?
Isotretinoin can affect liver enzymes and blood fats, particularly triglycerides and cholesterol. Alcohol can also affect the liver and may raise triglycerides. Combining them can therefore add to the burden being monitored during treatment.
This does not mean that everyone who drinks while taking isotretinoin will develop liver damage. It means the risk is avoidable and varies between people. The amount and pattern of drinking, blood-test results, liver health, weight, diabetes, other medicines and previous alcohol use can all matter.
The NHS gives a simple public-facing recommendation: it is best not to drink alcohol during isotretinoin treatment. The medicine’s UK patient leaflet says it is best not to drink, or at least to reduce the amount usually consumed. If those statements seem different, use the more cautious NHS position unless your prescribing team has given you specific individual advice.
Does a “safe” number of units exist?
There is no single isotretinoin-specific alcohol allowance that is safe for every patient. General UK low-risk drinking guidance is not a personalised limit for someone taking a medicine that can affect the liver and blood fats.
Do not interpret a normal blood test as permission to drink freely. Results are a snapshot, and the purpose of monitoring is to detect changes before they become more serious. If you choose to drink despite advice to avoid it, speak to your prescriber first rather than setting your own limit.
Be honest about what you usually drink. Accurate information helps the clinician decide whether treatment is suitable, whether extra blood tests are needed and what precautions are reasonable.
What do isotretinoin blood tests check?
Monitoring commonly includes:
liver enzymes, which can rise during treatment
triglycerides and cholesterol, which isotretinoin can increase
pregnancy testing for patients who can become pregnant, according to the Pregnancy Prevention Programme
The timing and range of tests depend on your history, baseline results, dose and local protocol. People with high blood fats, diabetes, higher body weight, liver problems or significant alcohol use may need closer monitoring.
An abnormal result does not automatically mean treatment must stop. The prescriber may repeat the test, review alcohol and diet, adjust the dose, pause treatment or stop it, depending on the result and the wider clinical picture. Do not change the dose yourself.
You can read more in our guide to isotretinoin blood tests and what is checked.
What should I do before starting isotretinoin?
Tell the clinician:
how many days a week you drink and what you usually consume
whether you sometimes binge drink
if you have ever had abnormal liver tests or high triglycerides
if you have diabetes, liver disease or a history of pancreatitis
every prescribed medicine, shop-bought medicine and supplement you take
Avoid vitamin A supplements unless your clinician specifically advises them. Isotretinoin is related to vitamin A, and taking extra vitamin A can increase adverse effects. Also tell the prescriber about tetracycline antibiotics, because they should not be taken at the same time as isotretinoin.
If reducing or stopping alcohol feels difficult, say so before treatment. That is important clinical information, not a reason to conceal your intake. Your GP or another appropriate service can help with alcohol support, and your acne plan can be reviewed safely.
What if I drank alcohol once while taking isotretinoin?
Do not panic, and do not take extra or fewer capsules to compensate. Avoid further alcohol and contact your prescribing team for advice, particularly if the amount was large, you feel unwell, you have known liver or lipid problems, or a blood test is due.
Keep taking the medicine exactly as directed unless a clinician tells you otherwise. If you miss a dose, follow the patient leaflet; never double the next dose.
Seek urgent medical advice if you develop severe upper abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, yellow skin or eyes, very dark urine, marked drowsiness or confusion. These symptoms are not specific to isotretinoin, but they warrant prompt assessment. Severe abdominal pain can also be a warning sign of pancreatitis, which may be associated with very high triglycerides.
Can I stop isotretinoin for a party or holiday?
Do not plan your own “treatment break” so that you can drink. Isotretinoin and its effects do not disappear immediately after one missed capsule, and interrupting treatment without guidance can disrupt monitoring and prescribing.
If you have a wedding, holiday or other event coming up, discuss it in advance. The prescriber can explain the safest approach in the context of your dose, results and treatment plan. A social occasion is also a good reason to choose alcohol-free drinks.
Are alcohol-free drinks always suitable?
Many drinks labelled alcohol-free contain little or no alcohol, but labelling and residual alcohol content vary. Check the product label, especially if you have been told to avoid alcohol completely for medical, pregnancy, religious or recovery-related reasons. Some alternatives can also be high in sugar, which may be relevant if triglycerides or blood glucose are a concern.
Does alcohol make isotretinoin side effects worse?
Alcohol may worsen dehydration, headache, tiredness and low mood, which can overlap with problems reported during treatment. It can also impair judgement, making it easier to forget a dose or overlook pregnancy-prevention requirements.
Current UK safeguards require clinicians to discuss and monitor mental health and sexual function as well as other treatment risks. Contact your prescribing team promptly if your mood, behaviour or sexual function changes. Seek urgent help if you feel at immediate risk of harming yourself.
Frequently asked questions
Can I have one glass of wine on isotretinoin?
The NHS advises that it is best not to drink during treatment. A single drink may not cause harm in every person, but there is no universal risk-free amount. Ask the prescriber who knows your results and history.
Will alcohol make isotretinoin less effective?
The main concern is safety rather than proven loss of acne control. Alcohol can affect the same liver and lipid measures that isotretinoin monitoring is designed to assess.
How long after isotretinoin can I drink?
Ask your prescriber at the end of treatment. The answer may depend on your final dose, blood results and other health factors. Do not assume that the last capsule automatically overrides other restrictions or follow-up advice.
Should I skip isotretinoin before drinking?
No. Do not alter the dose or stop treatment without medical advice.
A practical next step
If isotretinoin may be appropriate for your acne, the decision should follow a full assessment rather than a request for a particular prescription. mySkinDoc offers an online acne consultation to review your treatment history, health factors and suitable next steps. You can read about the acne and isotretinoin assessment pathway. Booking an assessment does not guarantee isotretinoin, and in-person review may be required.
References
NHS. Isotretinoin (Roaccutane): food, drink and alcohol. Last reviewed 26 June 2026.
British Association of Dermatologists. Isotretinoin patient information.
Electronic Medicines Compendium. Roaccutane 20 mg soft capsules: patient information leaflet.
MHRA. Isotretinoin: changes to prescribing guidance and additional risk-minimisation measures. Published 22 January 2026.
Sources checked 21 October 2026. This article is general information and does not replace advice from your prescribing team.
