Accutane Acne Treatment
December 5, 2008 by Acne Care
Filed under Acne Treatment
Accutane Information
Accutane (or isotretinoin) is an acne relief drug that is administered orally in 10, 20 and 40mg soft gel capsules. Although it can be used for milder cases of acne, Accutane is primarily used for the treatment of what is known as severe recalcitrant nodular acne. Its therapy usually lasts from 15 to 20 weeks and has permanently cleared up acne for a large percentage of the people who’ve taken it.
In the uncommon instance in which a second cycle of Accutane is needed, it cannot be undertaken until at LEAST 8 weeks following the previous cycle. This is not only to give the patient’s body a break from the powerful drug, but also because it’s been proven that many patients will continue to see improvements even after they’ve finished their first cycle.
Accutane should be stored in a dimly lit area that is room temperature (60° – 85°F) in order to prevent any environmental interactions or drug alterations. It should also be ingested with a full glass of water to prevent an upset stomach.
It is common knowledge that Accutane contains some health risks and unpleasant side effects to go along with taking it. Some side effects include dry, itchy skin, chapped lips, minor to mild nosebleeds, joint and muscle pain, headaches, increased sensitivity to the sun and the temporary thinning of one’s hair. Most of these side effects can be treated easily with products such as lip balm and over the counter pain relievers. Excessive exercise or body activity should be avoided at all costs as muscle and joint pain may develop. Should you experience excessive muscle or joint pain over a large period of time, it is recommended that you contact your doctor.
It is also extremely important that the drug NOT be taken by pregnant women as it has been proven to cause SERIOUS birth defects. It is also recommended that any females who take Accutane and are sexually active utilize birth control to help prevent against any pregnancies. Alcohol consumption should also be avoided when taking Accutane as this could reduce or diminish the drug’s effects.
Reports have shown that Accutane works effectively for about half of the total number of people who take it. A small percentage of patients will see their acne get worse while the rest see a positive and progressive decrease in their amount of acne.
Should you experience constant and moderate headaches or have any thoughts of suicide than you should contact your physician or primary care doctor immediately. While rare, Accutane has been known to negatively alter the thought patterns of usually balanced and sane individuals.
Overall, Accutane is one of the rare acne products that have been on the market for a very long time. Despite its unpleasant side effects and the powerful strain it puts on the liver, it remains one of the most popular acne treatments because it produces results. However Accutane is not for everyone and should only become an option after several unsuccessful attempts to clear up acne with other products.