How does this medication work? What are its effects?

Accutane (Isotretinoin) is prescribed to treat severe acne. It helps reduce sebum production and, in many cases leads to remission.

How should I use this medicine?

The recommended adult dose based on body weight and drug response. The treatment usually lasts 12 to 16 weeks. The capsules should be taken with food in a single dose or in two divided doses.

Do not throw medicines in the wastewater (eg. Not in the sink or in the toilet) or household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of unused or expired medicines.

What form this drug is he?

Capsules

In which case this drug is it recommended?

Pregnancy: Isotretinoin must not be administered during pregnancy. Women should not become pregnant while taking isotretinoin and for at least 1 month after stopping treatment. Isotretinoin can cause serious birth defects in a high percentage of infants whose mothers took the drug, even for a short period of pregnancy.

Isotretinoin must not be administered to women of childbearing age unless the following conditions apply:

1. The woman suffers from a nodular acne and / or inflammatory serious disfiguring conglobata or recalcitrant acne that has not responded to standard treatment, including antibiotics general action.

2. The woman is able to understand and follow the instructions.

3. The woman is able to comply with mandatory contraceptive measures.

4. The woman has received, and acknowledged he understood, detailed information, orally and in writing, on the risks of fetal exposure to isotretinoin, and the risk of possible failure of contraception.

5. The woman underwent a pregnancy test blood or urine to negative results achieved in a laboratory approved 2 weeks before starting treatment. She began treatment with isotretinoin 2 or 3 days after the period of normal menstruation following.

Isotretinoin must not be taken by people allergic to parabens, or those with known allergy to retinoids, including family medicine is isotretinoin.

Many undesirable side effects observed or expected in patients treated with isotretinoin are similar to those described in patients taking high doses of vitamin A.

Side effects most frequently affect the skin. Common side effects include pain and swelling of the lips (96%), rash on the face (55%), dry nose (51%), desquamation of the skin (50%), itching (30%) dry skin (22%), red eyes (19%), hair loss (13%), eye irritation (11%), rash (<10%) A dry inside the nose may be associated with slight bleeding. An inflammation of the eyes with mild to moderate can be relieved by ophthalmic ointment. In rare cases, hair loss persists after treatment.

Isotretinoin often leads to dry eyes. People who wear contact lenses can be uncomfortable.

About 13% of patients suffering from joint pain during treatment.

Desquamation of the skin of the palms and soles of feet, skin infections, increased susceptibility to sunburn, symptoms of urogenital nonspecific symptoms of gastric non-specific headache, fatigue occur in approximately 5% of patients.

Decreased night vision has also been reported and persisted in rare cases. Cases of cataract and visual disturbances have also been reported.

Are there any other precautions or warnings?

Pregnancy: The risk of major congenital malformations is extremely high (25% minimum) in case of pregnancy during treatment with isotretinoin or a month after stopping treatment.

Women of childbearing age should not take isotretinoin until pregnancy is excluded. A pregnancy test should be performed 2 weeks before starting treatment. Isotretinoin must start the second or third day of the next normal menstruation after pregnancy test negative. Effective contraception must be used at least 1 month before starting treatment with isotretinoin, during treatment and for at least 1 month after stopping treatment. It is advisable to simultaneously use 2 reliable methods of contraception unless the choice of abstinence.

It is strongly recommended that all women of childbearing age treated with isotretinoin undergo a pregnancy test every month during treatment and 1 month after stopping treatment.

Lactation: It is not known whether isotretinoin is excreted in breast milk. Because of the risk of side effects, women should not breastfeed while taking isotretinoin.

Any vitamin supplement containing vitamin A is recommended in cases of isotretinoin as it may increase the side effects of vitamin A. If the patient does not know if the vitamins contain vitamin A, it should seek advice from their doctor or pharmacist. People taking isotretinoin should not donate blood during and 1 month after treatment if the blood is given to a pregnant woman.

Isotretinoin can affect the rate of blood sugar in diabetics. The patient should inform the doctor if he or a family member is diabetic.

Isotretinoin can cause hypersensitivity to sunlight, it is preferable to avoid exposing themselves unduly.

Several cases of decreased night vision have been reported during treatment with isotretinoin. This decline was so sudden onset in some patients, patients should be advised of the possibility of this disorder and should be cautious if they are required to drive or operate a vehicle during the night. The vision problems must be carefully monitored.

Isotretinoin can cause some minor changes in bone. In case of bone or joint pain or difficulty moving, consult your doctor.

Several cases of clinical hepatitis were reported. They are considered possibly or probably related to treatment with isotretinoin. If yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, and / or dark urine, consult a doctor immediately.

Isotretinoin can also cause other disorders that are rare. It is important to tell the doctor the following symptoms: headache, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, mood disorders, severe stomach pain, diarrhea or rectal bleeding.