Accutane Acne Treatment

Things You Should Know about Systemic Retinoids

Accutane acne treatment should be carried out very cautiously, especially in females. Systemic Isotretinoin (Accutane) is a very useful drug in treating severe and very severe types of acne.

WARNING! Systemic Retinoids (Accutane) can cause severe birth defects . Hence every care should be taken by female patients to avoid pregnancy during and at least 2 months after taking  these drugs.

Accutane Acne Treatment:Warning to female patients

1. You must not take systemic retinoids if you are pregnant.

2. You should not take these drugs if there is any chance you may become pregnant while on the medication

3. You must have a blood and urine test that shows you are not pregnant before you start taking Accutane or other systemic Retinoids.

4. You must wait until day 2 or 3 of your periods before taking the first dose of the medicine

5. Discuss effective double birth control measures with your doctor before starting the medication.

6. You must use 100% effective birth control measures for at least 2 month before, during and for 2 month after taking the oral Retinoids.

7. Birth control measures must be used even if you think you cannot become pregnant (unless you have removed your ovaries or uterus).

8. Though one month is the time advised by most manufacturers, for a wider safety margin, I advise my female patients to observe birth control measures for a period of 6 months after stopping the medication.

9. If you become pregnant while on isotretinoin, immediately stop the medication and consult your doctor

10. If you become pregnant while on isotretinoin or within one month of stopping the medication, discuss the advisability of continuing the pregnancy with your doctor

Note: Systemic Retinoids are proven to cause severe birth defects in babies if mothers take these medications during their pregnancy. Any amount of drug, how ever smaller quantity or for shorter period, is dangerous. The same warning holds true for those who 'unintentionally' become pregnant while taking the medication.

Indications for using Systemic Retinoids

1. Severe (pustular acne) and very severe (nodulo-cystic acne) treatment resistant acne. If you have exhausted other options, then you may opt for Isotretinoin.

2. When there is a tendency of your acne to cause scarring.

Accutane Acne Treatment: Precautions Before Treatment Begins

• For Female Patients

  • Make sure you are not pregnant

  • Start using double birth control measures at least 1 month before

  • Start 1st dose from the 2nd or 3 rd day after your periods

• For All Patients

  • Your doctor will advice blood tests to assess your general health, liver and kidney function etc.

  • Systemic retinoids can elevate serum triglycerides. Hence a baseline serum lipid profile is a must before starting the therapy

  • Inform your doctor if you are suffering from, or you have family history of medical conditions like, diabetes, heart disease, liver disease, drug allergies, mental illness etc.

  • Retinoids belong to the Vitamin A family. Hence all vitamins containing vitamin A should be stopped before, during and immediately after using the medication. Otherwise there is a chance of worsening some adverse effects of the medication.

• For Male Patients

  • There are no reports of adverse effects of retinoids on the quality and formation of sperms . Hence you need not worry about the health of babies if your wife becomes pregnant while you are on isotretinoin.

  • Still, to be on the safer side, I advice my male patients to use condom while they are on Accutane Acne Treatment.

  • The dictum that I follow: when in doubt, do not take a chance! After all, clinical studies and laboratory evidence are not always fool-proof. New side effects are sometimes discovered after years of usage of drugs.

Accutane Acne Treatment: Precautions During Treatment with Systemic Retinoids

• Accutane Acne Treatment:For Female Patients

  • No pregnancy while you are on systemic retinoids

  • Continue using double birth control measures

  • Have monthly pregnancy tests

  • If you miss your periods while you are on accutane acne treatment, immediately stop the medication and consult your doctor

• For All Patients

  • Your doctor will advice blood tests to assess your general health, liver and kidney function at 1 month and 3 months of taking the retinoid .

  • Systemic retinoids can elevate serum triglycerides. Hence lipid profiles must be repeated at 1 month and 3 months and 6 months. If the levels are increased, your doctor will either prescribe medicines or stop the medication for the time being.

  • Avoid intake of alcohol and fatty food. Keep your diabetes and blood pressure under control, if you are suffering from these. All these have additive effects on the triglyceride levels.

  • Retinoids belong to the Vitamin A family. Hence all vitamins containing vitamin A should be stopped  during  the medication.

  • Most common side effect of Isotretinoin are the dry skin and dry, chapped lips. Use creams regularly to avoid these.

  • You may also get dryness and redness of eyes. Avoid contact lenses during the treatment period.

  • Mild nose bleed, skin rashes, itching, increased sun sensitivity, body aches and joint pains also may be experienced.

  • Some patients on isotretinoin have reported sudden decrease of night vision while on accutane acne treatment. Hence, avoid night driving while on the medication.

  • Most of the above side effects are temporary and will subside after the stoppage of treatment.

  • If the side effects are troublesome, check with your doctor to make appropriate dosage re-scheduling.

  • Accutane Acne Treatment:Serious Side Effects: Discontinue the medication and immediately consult your doctor if you experience any of the following:

    • Headaches with nausea, vomiting, blurred or double vision.

    • Severe abdominal pain, diarrhea or anal bleeding.

    • Persistent feeling of dryness and blurring of the eyes.

    • Yellow discoloration of eyes, skin and high colored urine with loss of appetite and nausea.

    • There have been reports of depressed patients committing suicide during isotretinoin therapy. This rare side effects should be made known to your family members also. If you or your family members or friends notice any change in your behavior or signs of depression, immediately stop the medication and consult your doctor.

    • Never change the dosage prescribed by your doctor without consulting him. Always keep your appointments

Accutane Acne Treatment: Precautions after treatment is completed

• For Female Patients

  • Continue using contraception for at least 2 months after stopping the accutane acne treatment .

• For All Patients

  • The skin will show continued improvement even after finishing the course.

  • Most side effects disappear after stoppage of medication. If you notice any adverse effects still, consult your doctor.

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