Accutane info
Accutane is
prescribed for the treatment of severe disfiguring cystic
acne that has not cleared up in response to milder medications.
Isotretinoin
belongs to a group of medicines known as retinoids, which
are derivatives of vitamin A. It works by reducing the production
of the skin’s natural oil (sebum).
Acne occurs
due to an excessive production of sebum from over-active
sebaceous glands in the skin. The sebum blocks the sebaceous
glands, which prevents the oil from flowing freely out and
causes an accumulation of sebum under the skin. The bacteria
associated with acne thrive in these conditions. They feed
on the sebum, and produce waste products and fatty acids
that irritate the sebaceous glands, making them inflamed
and causing spots.
Isotretinoin
decreases the size and activity of the sebaceous glands
in the skin, which reduces the amount of sebum that is produced.
This stops the glands becoming blocked, and means bacteria
are less likely to thrive. It also reduces the inflammation
in the skin.
Isotretinoin
can have serious side effects and its use must be supervised
by a dermatologist. It is reserved for the treatment of
severe acne that has not improved with a course of oral
antibiotics, and for acne with cyst formation.
Your acne may
worsen at the start of treatment, but this usually subsides
within 7 to 10 days of continued treatment. In most cases,
complete or near-complete clearing of acne is achieved with
a 12 to 16 week course of treatment, and you are likely
to remain free of acne for a long time. Repeat courses are
not normally recommended, unless a definite relapse is seen
after treatment is stopped.
How should Accutane
be used?
Accutane comes
as a capsule to take by mouth. Accutane usually is taken
twice a day. Take Accutane with food or milk.
Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully,
and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you
do not understand. Take Accutane exactly as directed. Do
not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed
by your doctor.
You may not
notice any improvement in your condition until after 4-6
weeks of treatment, and your acne may actually get worse
during the first few weeks. Your acne should improve within
15-20 weeks. If it does not improve, your doctor will probably
stop giving you Accutane for 8 weeks and then restart your
treatment. |
