Accutane Information:

Effective dosage: The recommended dosage range for Accutane is 0.5 to 2 mg/kg given in 2 divided doses daily for 15 to 20 weeks.

Possible Side effects:
Percentages are the ratio of people who received the side-effect:
- Chapped lips 90%
- Dry skin and itching 80%
- the use of daily alpha hydroxacids will help prevent this side effect.
- Dryness of nose, mild nosebleed 80%.
- Irritation of the eyelids and eyes 40%
- Vitamin E 400 IU each day may lessen this side effect.
- Joint and muscle pains 15%.
- Temporary hair thinning 10%.
- Rash 7%.
- Intestinal symptoms 5%.
- Urinary symptoms 5%.
- Headache 5%.
- Increased sensitivity to sunburn 5%.
- Decreased night vision <1%.
- Depression, thoughts of suicide <1%

Accutane - Isotretinoin information:

Accutaneis a powerful drug used in the treatment of acne. Four to five monthsof isotretinoin treatment usually leads to clearing of acne for oneyear or more after the medicine is stopped. Most other acne-controllingmedicines are antibacterial agents, which are effective only if themedicine is used daily.

Isotretinoin may increase thelevel of blood fats, sometimes to risky levels. Occasionally it mayaffect the liver. That's why regular blood tests are necessary when youare taking isotretinoin; these tests must be done when you have fastedfor 12 hours (no breakfast), so that the blood fat determinations arereliable. A baseline blood chemistry test is established beforepatients start isotretinoin.

The most damaging side effect of isotretinoin is serious birth defects if taken during pregnancy.
It is critically important for women not to take isotretinoin whilepregnant, and not to become pregnant while taking it. Women who are, orexpect to be, sexually active while taking isotretinoin must use aneffective method of birth control. This usually means oralcontraceptive pills and one other additional method of birth controlsuch as a condoms for the male partner. A woman who does get pregnantwhile on isotretinoin must be prepared to have an abortion and muststate this in writing before many hysicians will prescribe isotretinoinfor her.Isotretinoin may cause birth defects as long as two monthsafter it is stopped. After that time, it's safe to become pregnant.Because the birth defects caused by isotretinoin are so serious, it'simportant not to share the pills with others.We don't know whetherisotretinoin taken by men can cause birth defects, so it's best not toget a woman pregnant while taking isotretinoin. If she is not usingbirth control, the man should use a condom.There are a few reports ofpatients having decreased night vision after using Accutane. Onepatient still had problems six months after the drug was stopped. Ifyou experience trouble with your vision while on Accutane, call theoffice right away.

Some people develop headaches while on Accutane. If you develop apersistent headache while on Accutane, call your physician right away.A persistent headache, which will not go away while on Accutane, can bedangerous and you should stop the medication. Accutane rarely causesdepression and thoughts of suicide. If this were to occur stop themedicine immediately and call your physician.

How does isotretinoin work?

Isotretinoindecreases the amount of oil produced by the skin's sebaceous (oil)glands. It may be as long as two months before you see improvement inyour skin. There's no medicine we can add to speed up isotretinoin'saction. In fact, sometimes acne gets worse during the first month or soof treatment. Side effects, such as lip dryness, begin before the acnestarts to clear.

How To Use Isotretinoin:

Take the medicine with food, you can take the entire daily dose with supper, this increases the absorption of the medicine.

Long-term Results:

Isotretinoinisn't a permanent cure for acne, although it often buys time untilnature clears your skin. Your skin may stay clear for months, evenyears, after isotretinoin is stopped. In about one person in 10, acnecomes back after one year. About one person in four has acne againafter two years. If your acne returns, antibiotics may work, or you maybe treated with isotretinoin again. The use of daily alpha hydroxyacidswill help prevent small flare-ups after a course of Accutane.Unblocking the openings of the sebaceous glands Accutane alsosuppresses the production of skin cells which block the openings to thesebaceous glands. As a result, the quantity of comedones, orblackheads, and milia, or whiteheads, is reduced. A decrease incomedones in turn causes a decrease in the development of suppurations,or pus-filled acne pimples, whose formation we seek to prevent.

Anti-inflammatory activity It has been found that Accutane decreasesinflammation in laboratory trials, yet the clinical significance ofthis discovery remains unclear.

Accutane's side effectsAccutane is particularly effective in mid-range severity cases of acne,which have not responded to treatments such as ointments or oralantibiotics. The most significant risk in taking Accutane is itspotential for causing birth defects in the developing fetus of apregnant acne patient. Because of this risk, female patients shouldtake care not to conceive while using Accutane and for at least threemonths following the end of treatment.

How to get the most out of Accutane?

Attention female patients!Accutane has been proven to cause birth defects in developing fetuses.Due to this danger, it is absolutely prohibited to conceive duringRoaccutane treatment and for at least three months thereafter. Allfemale users of Accutane should use two birth control methods duringthis entire period.

All patients:

AllAccutane users should expect mild chapping of the lips, andoccasionally peeling of the skin surrounding the fingernails. Thechapping and / or peeling will disappear by the end of the treatment.Relief from dry skin is available in the form of creams which thedoctor will provide. In rare cases, dryness of the nose, slight hairloss, or impaired night vision is experienced, all of which disappearby the end of treatment. In still rarer cases, a change in liverfunction, an increase in fat production, or mood changes can occur.Inform your doctor of any kidney or liver disorders, high fat contentin the blood, or depression in your family or medical history. A bloodcount should be performed before starting treatment, as well as once amonth during treatment. The doctor should also be informed of anyinordinate physical exertion undergone by the patient during Accutanetreatment. Avoid taking any vitamin supplements, as well asover-exposure to the sun, while taking Accutane

This article is for informational purposes only. For further instructions on Accutane consult with your doctor.