For acne sufferers, Accutane is an effective treatment for clearing up skin problems.
Severe acne sometimes does not clear up through the use of antibiotics and topical treatments. For teenagers with pimples, waiting to “grow out of it” may not be the best idea for nodular or pustular acne because it can cause scarring, plus it can bring a person’s self esteem to an all-time low level. Accutane can help alleviate the pain and suffering of acne.
What is Accutane?
The chemical name is isotretinoin and Accutane is the best known brand name, though there are generic products on the market. It belongs to the family of medicines called retinoids, which are similar to vitamin A.
Acne is caused by an increased secretion of sebum, an oily substance, from the glands of the skin (sebaceous glands). This causes excessive inflammation and scarring. Accutane treats acne by reducing the secretion of sebum.
Accutane Treatment
Because Accutane is a powerful medication, it should only be prescribed for severe acne cases. Patients must have ongoing blood tests and constant monitoring of cholesterol levels, liver enzymes and triglycerides in order to detect any adverse side effects. Doctors must be made aware of any medication and over the counter the remedies used by their patients. Certain over-the-counter acne products do not mix well with Accutane.
Women who are planning a family must not become pregnant during treatment because Accutane is known to cause birth defects. Some doctors order pregnancy tests and prescribe birth control medication. The FDA has instituted the iPledge program for women who decide to undergo treatment.
Accutane is administered in capsule form and is available in doses of .5mg or 1 mg. The maximum daily dose should not exceed 1.5 mg. The average course of treatment is 15 to 20 weeks. If further treatment is required, the patient must wait 10 weeks after the treatment was discontinued.
It will take several weeks before patients experience the full effect of Accutane. In some cases, the skin will temporarily get worse but then there will be a noticeable decrease in acne. In most cases, skin should remain clear after the treatment period is over.
Side Effects of Accutane
Although Accutane is considered a miracle drug for acne treatment, there are side effects. Some of the minor effects and their remedies are:
- Skin dryness – use moisturizers and lip balm
- Nosebleeds - apply petroleum jelly inside the nose
- Dry eyes - over the counter moisturizing drops may be used
- Skin Sensitive to Sunlight – use a sunscreen with a high SPF rating
- Joint stiffness, bone pain – consult your doctor before using any pain relievers
In some cases, there could be more severe side effects. These require immediate medical attention:
- Headaches, nausea and vomiting
- Depression or psychosis
- Night blindness
- Jaundice, hepatitis or abdominal pain
- Diarrhea, rectal bleeding
Accutane is the most effective drug on the market for treating severe acne. It is also a controversial drug due to the potential side effects (such as birth defects). People who are considering Accutane treatment must have a thorough examination by a doctor, ongoing blood tests and an analysis of medications currently used. On a positive note, clearing up nodular or pustular acne and reducing the risk of scarring is important to people who suffer from acute acne.
For specific product information on Accutane, please visit the Roche Pharmaceuticals website.
