Accutane

Drug name

Accutane (Isotretinoin)

Drug Uses

Accutane is intended to cure acne for those patients that experience no positive effect of using other medications. However your doctor may prescribe this medicine for several other conditions as well.

How Taken

Take the medicine in accordance with your doctor directions. Read the dosage instructions at the container.

- The medicine should be taken orally throughout the meal as well as before or after it.
- The medicine should be taken with a glass of water. Avoid chewing or breaking the capsule otherwise before swallowing it as the medicine may irritate your throat.
- Follow you dosage schedule strictly. Take the medication at the same time not to forget about the next dosage.

Drug Class and Mechanism

Accutane is a retinoid. It works by reducing skin oil production, changing the characteristics of the skin oil, and preventing abnormal hardening of the skin.

Missed Dose

In case you have missed to take the medicine do it at the moment you have remembered about it, however skip it in case it is the time for your next dosage and follow you usual dosage schedule further. Avoid taking 2 doses simultaneously.

Storage

Keep the medicine at the temperature of 77 degrees F (25 degrees C), in the dark, dry and cool place beyond the reach of children and pets. However it is allowed to store the drug at the temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) for a short period of time.

Warnings Precautions

Don’t take the drug in case;

- you have an allergic reaction to any of its components
- you are in the period of pregnancy or are going to become pregnant
- you are in the breast-feeding period.

Contact your doctor immediately in case you have of the listed above.

Note:

- Don’t operate any machinery until you are aware of your body reaction to he drug.
- Avoid giving your blood throughout the therapy period and 1 month after the end of it.
- Avoid drinking alcohol when using the medication.
- Your acne may get worse, however it doesn’t mean you have done something wrong or should stop using the drug.
- Apply lip balm to prevent your lips from cracking.
- Avoid such cosmetics procedures like waxing, dermabrasion, laser procedures that are aimed at smoothing your skin throughout the therapy period and within 6 month after the end of it as the medicine may increase scarring from these procedures.
- Taking the drug may increase your skin sensitivity to the sun. Thus avoid of prolonged being at the sun until you are aware of your reaction to the drug. Wear on protective clothes or use sunscreen.
- Let your doctor know in case your going to go into sports throughout the period of taking the medicine.
- Women having stable sexual relations and those of childbearing age have to use 2 different methods of pregnancy preventing medications in 1 month before taking the Accutane, throughout the therapy period and within 1 month after the end of it.
- Your doctor has to check you fro pregnancy every month of the Accutane therapy period.
- Birth control pills without estogen may turn to be less effective when taken throughout the
Accutane therapy period. - Taking the medicine may affect the level pf blood sugar in diabetes patients. Don’t forget to check your blood sugar level and consult with your doctor before changing the diabetes drugs dosage.

Possible Side Effects

Contact your doctor incase you have:

- abnormal hair growth; abnormal skin sensations; bleeding and redness or swelling of the gums;changes in menstrual flow; chapped lips; decreased tolerance to contact lenses; dizziness; dry eyes and mouth; dry nose that may lead to nosebleeds; dry or peeling skin; fatigue; flushing; general body discomfort; hair thinning; headache; itching; lack of energy; nervousness; respiratory tract infection; sleeplessness; sweating; temporary worsening of acne; voice changes.

Contact your doctor at once in case you experience:

- severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); bizarre, aggressive, or violent behavior; bowel pain; chest pain or pounding in the chest; dark urine; depression; difficult or painful swallowing; difficulty moving; excessive thirst or urination; fainting; fast heartbeat; fever; fractured or weak bones; hearing problems or ringing in the ears; increased pressure in the brain (pressure in the eye; nausea; vision changes; vomiting); joint or back pain; leg swelling; muscle weakness with or without pain; nausea; new or worsening heartburn; rectal bleeding; red patches or bruises on the legs; shortness of breath; seizures; severe birth defects; severe diarrhea; severe headache; skin infection; slurred speech; stomach pain or tenderness; stroke; stunted growth in children; sun sensitivity; swelling of the pancreas (fever; increased heartbeat; nausea; stomach tenderness; vomiting); swollen glands; thoughts of suicide; tightness in the lungs; vision changes; vomiting; weakness; yellowing of the skin or eyes.

More Information

Only the patients with corresponding prescriptions should use the medication. Avoid giving it to anybody else.