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If your knees or lower back started aching after you began acne medication, you’re not alone.
In one cross-sectional study of 94 acne patients, 47.9% reported joint pain while taking oral isotretinoin.
That figure comes from a single study, though.
The American Academy of Dermatology says muscle and joint pain tends to fade after you stop the drug.
Here’s what research says about isotretinoin joint pain, what to do if it happens, and what to check before your first capsule.
Isotretinoin joint pain is reported fairly often.
In one study, 47.9% of patients had joint pain and 70.2% had low back pain.
Don’t stop the medicine on your own. Talk to the doctor who prescribed it first.
How common is isotretinoin joint pain?
Joint pain and muscle pain are among the musculoskeletal side effects reported fairly often with isotretinoin.
The rates vary a lot depending on who was studied and how.
Isotretinoin is an oral retinoid, a vitamin A–related prescription medicine used for severe acne.
To see how common isotretinoin joint pain can be, look at a cross-sectional study of 94 acne patients.
| Symptom | Share of patients (n=94) |
|---|---|
| Low back pain | 70.2% |
| Myalgia (muscle pain) | 53.2% |
| Arthralgia (joint pain) | 47.9% |
| Sacroiliitis (inflammation where the spine meets the pelvis) | 11.7% |
| Tendinopathy (tendon problems) | 4.3% |
Source: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 2020 (Karaosmanoğlu and Mülkoğlu)
In this study, low back pain was more common than joint pain.
These numbers come from one study, so they won’t apply to everyone who takes the drug.
When does isotretinoin joint pain get worse?
Higher cumulative doses and hard exercise may make aches worse, according to the reports reviewed here.
The sources we checked don’t prove exactly why isotretinoin joint pain happens.
In the same study, patients with low back pain had a significantly higher median total dose than those without it.
That suggests back pain is related to dose.
Exercise matters too.
One case report describes a teenager who developed acute rhabdomyolysis (serious muscle breakdown) while taking isotretinoin and exercising.
It’s rare. Still, talk to your prescriber before intense workouts.
The American Academy of Dermatology says muscle or joint pain can show up temporarily during treatment and usually goes away after you stop.
Source: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders (2020), AAD, PubMed Central case report
Situations that may raise the burden
- A high total cumulative dose
- Intense exercise during treatment
- Existing bone or joint problems (Mayo Clinic advises caution for teens with bone problems)
Severe muscle pain with dark urine or sudden weakness can be a sign of rhabdomyolysis.
Get medical care right away if that happens.
What should you do if you get joint pain on isotretinoin?
Don’t stop or cut your dose on your own. Write down your symptoms and tell the doctor who prescribed it.
If you suspect isotretinoin joint pain, these steps can help.
- Note where it hurts, when it started, and how strong it is.
- Contact your clinic and ask whether your dose needs adjusting.
- Talk with your doctor about scaling back intense exercise.
- Ask your doctor or pharmacist before adding a painkiller.
See a doctor if the pain lingers or a joint swells and feels warm.
Mention long-lasting back pain too.
Your doctor decides whether to continue or adjust treatment.
Making that call alone isn’t the safe route.
What should you check before taking isotretinoin?
Check your pregnancy risk, medical history, exercise plans, and how to take the capsule.
Pregnancy prevention is the most tightly managed part of isotretinoin use.
Since January 19, 2023, Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS, the national drug regulator) has tightened its retinoid pregnancy prevention program, known as RetiCheck.
Packaging now stresses that contraception is required, and from June of that year women who can become pregnant can get at most a 30-day supply.
Doctors and pharmacists must confirm you’re not pregnant before prescribing or dispensing.
Source: Medipana News, 2023
How you take it matters too.
Mayo Clinic says to swallow the capsule whole with a full glass of water, and not to crush or chew it.
Whether to take it with food depends on the product, so follow the label of the one you’re given.
Source: Mayo Clinic, accessed October 2026
☐ Did you tell your doctor about any pregnancy or pregnancy plans?
☐ Do you understand the contraception period and methods your doctor gave you?
☐ Did you mention bone or joint conditions and other medicines you take?
☐ Did you discuss any intense exercise plans?
☐ Did you read the label’s instructions on how to take it?
Taking isotretinoin during pregnancy can cause birth defects.
Never share someone else’s pills or buy it online without a prescription. In Korea it’s a prescription-only drug.
For more on medicines and supplements, browse our Medications and Supplements category.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Should you stop isotretinoin right away if you get joint pain?
Don’t stop on your own. Talk to your prescriber, who decides whether to adjust the dose based on how severe your isotretinoin joint pain is.
2. Can you take painkillers for the aches?
It depends on your situation and the other medicines you use. Ask your doctor or pharmacist first.
3. Can you exercise while taking it?
Light activity is usually fine, but intense workouts call for caution because of case reports. Discuss your plans with your doctor.
4. Can you take a friend’s isotretinoin?
No. The drug can cause birth defects in pregnancy, so it must go through an exam and a prescription.
References
- (BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders), 「Analysis of musculoskeletal side effects of oral Isotretinoin treatment: a cross-sectional study」, 2020 Link
- (American Academy of Dermatology), 「Isotretinoin: The truth about safety, side effects, and skin care」, accessed October 2026 Link
- (Mayo Clinic), 「Isotretinoin (oral route)」, accessed October 2026 Link
- (Medipana News), 「MFDS Strengthens Pregnancy Prevention Program for Retinoid Drugs (식약처, 레티노이드계 의약품 ‘임신예방 프로그램’ 운영 강화)」, 2023 Link
- (PubMed Central), 「A Common Drug With a Dangerous Side Effect: Acute Rhabdomyolysis Caused by the Synergistic Effect of Isotretinoin and Exercise in an Adolescent」, accessed October 2026 Link
This article is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult a qualified healthcare provider if you have health concerns.
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