Content

• Steps
• Advice
• Warning

Accutane is good isotretinoin is one of the most powerful and effective acne treatments on the market. However, accompanying it were notable side effects.In particular, Accutane also carries the risk of serious birth defects during pregnancy. However, if you are tired of acne treatment, Accutane may be the choice for you.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Get a prescription for Accutane from your doctor

1. 

   Consider other treatment options. If the acne is persistent but not severe, you should probably consider other treatment. With its risks and numerous side effects, Accutane is not intended for mild to moderate acne.
   • Antibiotics that are prescribed orally can be used to successfully treat moderate acne.
   • Other treatment options include bio-light therapy and laser therapy. They are often effective in treating moderate acne and acne scars.

2. 

   
   
   Talk to your doctor about the possible risks. Side effects range from mild discomfort, such as dry skin, to serious complications. Accutane users are up to 80% more likely to have at least some side effects.
   • In 1998, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned the public and health care units of an increase in rates of depression and suicidal thoughts when using Accutane.
   • Recent research shows that Accutane users are susceptible to digestive disorders, including ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease and inflammatory bowel disease.
   • There have been many people experiencing serious side effects while using Accutane filing a lawsuit against the original manufacturer.

3. 

   
   
   Inform your doctor of any available health conditions before starting treatment. You should inform your doctor of any existing medical or psychological conditions as well as any medications or supplements you are taking, including vitamins. Also, don't forget to discuss if:
   • Are you allergic to drugs that contain vitamin A (such as other retinoids)
   • You have diabetes or have a family history of diabetes
   • You have high cholesterol or a family history of high cholesterol
   • You or someone in your family has a mental disorder (including an emotional disorder like depression)
   • You have liver disease
   • You are overweight or obese
   • You have an eating disorder
   • You have an alcohol abuse problem
   • You have a loss of bone (eg, osteoporosis).

4. 

   
   
   Commitment to treatment. If you are agreeing to do Accutane with your dermatologist, you will have to accept certain conditions before starting.

5. 

   Join the iPLEDGE program if you are female. Due to the risk of birth defects, registration for this program is required for women of reproductive age, which includes routine maternity checks and a commitment to contraception with two methods of birth control in during the Accutane treatment.
   • Approved birth control methods include oral and injectable oral contraceptives, insertion, use of a physical contraceptive (such as using a condom or diaphragm) and a commitment to abstinence completely. (ie absolutely no sexual contact) during treatment with Accutane.

6. 

   Signed consent form. Before starting treatment, each individual must sign this consent form, and then the individual is deemed to have understood and is responsible for following all instructions.

7. 

   Ready for compliance with accompanying safety regulations. You cannot donate blood while taking Accutane or within one month of stopping the drug. In addition, you must agree to never share the prescription with anyone.
   • It is advisable for those with similar symptoms to see a dermatologist for Accutane.

8. 

   Check with your pharmacy. The Accutane brand is no longer produced. However, some companies produce isotretinoin under the original formula. This form of Accutane is covered by most insurance plans, so you can get your medicine every month at a relatively affordable price. advertisement

Part 2 of 3: Using Accutane

1. 

   Get your prescription on time. For women of reproductive age, the prescription must be filled out and received within 7 days of arrival at the clinic completing a pregnancy test. For the rest of the participants, each prescription must be filled out and received within 30 days of arrival at the clinic.

2. 

   Use Accutane exactly as prescribed. The drug is taken daily with meals, almost at the same time. Food in the stomach helps the body's ability to absorb drugs.

3. 

   Be persistent and determined to your treatment plan. An Accutane treatment program usually lasts several months. Don't forget to take the pill every day. Set an alarm with a watch or phone so you don't miss a dose.
   • If you miss it, take it as soon as you notice it unless it's almost time to take your next dose. In this case, ignore it completely. Do not take a double dose to make up for it.

4. 

   Understand other mandatory commitments when using Accutane. Besides birth control, in order to be able to monitor changes in the body, including the balance between types of cholesterol in the blood (especially triglyceride levels), monthly blood checks are indispensable. Routine tests are needed to ensure Accutane does not cause any internal damage to the kidneys or liver.
   • Triglycerides are fatty acids that are commonly found in the blood. They are highest when they eat fatty foods, such as fast food or deep fried foods. Maintain a healthy diet to help your body absorb drugs better and avoid abnormally high levels of fatty acids that sometimes occur when eating a lot of fat.

5. 

   Use the required form of birth control. In fact, there is a marked increase in the risk of birth defects when taking Accutane during pregnancy. If you become pregnant while on Accutane treatment, the risk of birth defects in the fetus is up to 30% (normal level is 3-5%).

6. 

   Avoid using other acne products. Remember that Accutane treats acne by working on the sebaceous glands. Using over-the-counter or prescription acne treatments will only make skin dry or worse. Talk to your dermatologist about using any other products while taking Accutane.
   • Use a cleanser that's gentle on the skin, such as Dove or Aveeno, to avoid irritating while using Accutane.

7. 

   Stay in touch with a dermatologist. There is a saying: Knowledge is power. Tell your dermatologist immediately when any unusual phenomena appear during treatment. Also don't forget to ask for information about specific side effects to watch out for, such as blurred vision or severe back pain. advertisement

Part 3 of 3: Understanding Accutane better

1. 

   Find out what Accutane is and how it works. Accutane's original name is isotretinoin. It is a derivative of vitamin A and belongs to a group of pharmaceuticals called retinoids. Accutane works in four ways.
   • Accutane helps to control the size of the sebaceous glands, the oil-secreting glands in the skin: the amount of oil decreases. It also reduces the amount of acne-causing bacteria in the oil. In addition, Accutane also slows down the growth of some cells that clog pores and reduce skin inflammation.

2. 

   Understand how Accutane is dosed. The dosage is determined based on body weight and the severity of the acne condition. Common dosages range from 0.5-1.0mg / kg per day. For example, someone who weighs about 70 kg will probably range from 20mg to 35mg, twice daily.

3. 

   Be aware that this can be a very long-term therapy. Please use Accutane for the entire specified time. A course of treatment can last 4 to 5 months, and sometimes just one session is not enough. When the cumulative dose or the total amount of drug used up to now is considered and adjusted, Accutane will bring about the most positive change. And your doctor knows exactly what to do.

4. 

   Know what Accutane therapy can help. Up to 85% of people treated with Accutane get good results after just one treatment lasting about 4 to 5 months. For long-term cleansing and avoiding the risk of future acne recurrence, you may need more than one course of treatment. While it is not possible to guarantee this treatment will bring improvement for everyone, most acne clears and in many cases they do not come back.

5. 

   Consider problems you may encounter when not treating acne. Acne usually develops in adulthood and the first few months of adulthood.However, it can also appear later in life. If left untreated, severe acne can distort your appearance and lead to related psychological problems. According to the FDA and the generic drug company, acne can lead to more insecurity and self-esteem than any other illness. advertisement

Advice

• As with most acne products, during the first few weeks of treatment, it is possible that the acne worsens. This is completely normal.
• During the first phase of treatment, a dermatologist usually prescribes a lighter dose to monitor the body's response to the drug. For the sake of safety and efficacy, the indicated dosage may be adjusted throughout the treatment program.
• Due to its impact on the way the oil glands work, Accutane often causes dryness in the user, such as cracked lips, dry skin or dry eyes. You may want to consider buying an acne-free moisturizer (such as that does not clog pores) to alleviate these symptoms.
• Keep moisturizing lip balm with you. Dry or cracked lips appear in 90% of people who use accutane. Use a moisturizer to alleviate this dry, cracked, and cracked lips.
• Accutane has many other potential side effects, which are rare but not serious. Make sure to talk to your dermatologist about any side effects.
• If you are planning to become pregnant, you should wait at least 12 months from the end of your treatment program to make sure isotretinoin has been eliminated from the body. Accutane is not prescribed for pregnant women.
• Accutane generic drugs are covered in most plans and as such, you can get them every month at a relatively affordable price. However, if the plan has a high deductible, you may incur a more expensive cost.
• Note that when used in men, Accutane does not increase the risk of birth defects. Isotretinoin are not transferred to sperm cells.

Warning

• Accutane is effective and powerful in the treatment of certain types of acne. However, it is also associated with serious side effects. Any changes in mood, feelings of depression or thoughts of suicide should be discussed immediately with your healthcare provider. Please discontinue use and contact a physician.
• Since Accutane is a vitamin A derivative, do not use any vitamin A products while taking Accutane. Combining vitamin A products with Accutane could lead to drug interactions with potentially serious consequences.
• Do not donate blood during or after using Accutane for at least one month. Donated blood can inadvertently lead to serious problems for others.
• When a woman becomes pregnant or becomes pregnant while taking Accutane, the fetus is at an increased risk of birth defects. For this reason, precautions are used to prevent pregnancy during that time.
• Do not use any other acne treatment during your treatment with Accutane.
• Gastrointestinal problems, such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, are more common among Accutane users. Other side effects may also appear. Talk to your doctor if there are any unusual signs during use.
• Avoid rubbing sports to limit injury. One of the side effects of Accutane is its ability to weaken bones.
• Tell your doctor right away if you think you are pregnant or notice any unusual signs during treatment.