Isotretinoin is actually the generic term for Accutane. It is a synthetic derivative of vitamin A that creates a potentially lasting change in the cells lining the pore. This change allows the cells to detach naturally by clumping together and plugging the pore.
Using Accutane, the pores will not be clogged and therefore the oil can flow freely to the surface of the skin. Also, the amount of oil is reduced as Accutane temporarily re-regulates the sebaceous gland to produce less. And the beauty of using Accutane is that the benefit is long-lasting, and in some cases, the benefits are permanent.
Accutane is the most important drug in today’s armamentarium of drugs used to treat severe and persistent nodular cystic acne. It has provided great improvement to the acne problem for most patients who have been using it since 1984. And about 60% of those who used Accutane actually only needed one course of treatment and 30% needed two cycles of treatment for a clear skin.
Although Accutane is a powerful medication, it also has its side effects. It can make your skin too dry and your lips chapped. Therefore, when taking Accutane, you need to monitor your condition.
Accutane also has other side effects, including nosebleeds and muscle and joint pain. However, the good news is that most patients using Accutane do not experience these side effects.
Accutane is known to cause birth defects in a developing fetus if taken by a pregnant woman. Therefore, sexually active women should use adequate contraceptive measures for one month before using Accutane. They should also continue the control measure throughout the course and for at least three months after therapy ends. However, accutane does not affect future pregnancies.
Serious side effects of Accutane are damage to the liver and pancreas, depression, and inflammation of the brain. Fortunately, these cases are rare and can be reversed when one stops using the drug.
If you have severe acne and it doesn’t respond well to other treatments, you may seriously consider taking Accutane for five to six months. The prescription should be tailored to your height and weight and should be taken with a meal because Accutane is best absorbed with food.
When taking Accutane, you need to monitor the situation for any side effects as mentioned above. You must take mandatory blood tests including:
– live profile studies,
– Complete blood count and
– cholesterol and triglyceride levels
The purpose of these tests is to make sure there are no abnormalities such as liver inflammation and a dangerously high triglyceride level that could inflame the pancreas, lower the white blood cell count, or seriously lower the red blood cell count. And for fertile women, a serum pregnancy test should be done every month.
