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Accutane Treatment
Accutane, the brand name for the drug Isotretinoin, is a prescription
generally reserved for the most serious cases of acne. This very powerful
medication should be only considered as a last resort as there are many
serious side effects possible when taking this prescription. However,
it has been known to improve extremely serious and persistent cases
of acne. This medication is only available by prescription and is not
recommended for mild or even moderate cases of acne.
Your doctor will have many questions regarding your medical history
before prescribing a regimen of Accutane. Women who are able to bear
children are discouraged from considering this treatment unless other
treatments have failed because it is linked to serious birth defects
in humans. Due to these specifications, women who are nursing should
not take Accutane and patients being treated with this drug should not
donate blood to insure that it is not received by a pregnant woman.
If you have ever experienced an allergic reaction to acitretin, tretinoin,
or any other vitamin A preparations, you may also experience an adverse
reaction to Accutane. Additionally, you might be at risk if you have
a medical history of alcoholism, diabetes mellitus, high triglycerides
in the blood or severe weight problems. Speak with your doctor regarding
any of these factors which may be cause for concern.
WARNING: "Accutane may cause
depression, psychosis and, rarely, suicidal ideation, suicide attempts
and suicide."
Side Effects May Include:
- Birth Defects
- Ulcerative Colitis
- Crohn's Disease
- Inflammatory Bowel Disorder
- Rectal Bleeding
- Abdominal Pain
- Premature Closure of Growth Plates
- Dessicated Discs
- Organ Damage
- Optic Neuritis
- Central Nervous System Injuries
- Bone and Muscle Loss
- Cardiovascular Injuries
- Liver and Kidney Damage
- Pancreatitis
- Immune System Disorder
- Lupus
- Hearing and Vision Damage
- Thyroid Disorders
- Suicidal Behavior
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If your doctor has determined that you are a good
candidate for a course of Accutane treatment, which typically lasts
from 16 to 30 weeks, it is important to see that you are well versed
in the specifications of the drug. Generally, the first three weeks
of treatment are very hard on your skin, and the acne may seem to
get worse before any improvement is shown. This medication typically
results in an increased sensitivity to the sun, wind and cold weather.
If exposure cannot be avoided, it is wise to protect yourself from
the damaging elements with protective clothing or sunscreen. Your
dermatologist will be able to help you find appropriate skin care
products to lessen the drying impact of this medication.
**Be EXTREMELY
careful when considering this medication. If the goal of treating acne
is to ease the depressing effects it has on you, be extremely careful
about taking any medication that may increase depression.**
If you are one of the many who do not want to take
the risk of oral medications, there are extremely effective (sometimes
more effective) treatments that work to ease acne in less than a month,
or in some cases, less. Topical dermal medications like 2.5% Benzoyl
Peroxide kits, take usually only 20-30 days because of their three-step
approach. There are many products available that
follow this process, including one that we built, called Tru-derma,
in response to the lack of a perfect product available. Tru-derma is
backed by all of the information from the Acne-Resource Center, and
its ingredients have been clinically studied. Click here to read more
about Tru-derma.
There is the possibility of experiencing some additional mild or severe
side effects with Accutane. If you experience sun sensitivity, drying
of the eyes, nose, or mouth, headache, upset stomach, or fatigue, continue
to take the prescription, but make your doctor aware of the side effects.
Some severe side effects may occur, including abdominal pain, back pain,
vision difficulties, diarrhea and rectal bleeding. Unfortunately many
individuals who are taking Accutane report a high degree of depression,
sometimes reaching the severity of suicidal ideation. Consult your doctor
immediately should any of these serious side effects present themselves.
When taken carefully, completely, and under the guidance of a qualified
physician, Accutane is an extremely effective treatment in reducing
the occurrence and severity of the most difficult cases of acne. At
least fifty percent of those who suffer from serious acne find a measurable
cure after one treatment cycle. However, the side effects are severe,
even debilitating, for some individuals. As with all medications, you
will have to weigh the negative side effects against the potential results
to determine whether or not this treatment is for you.
References:
Drugs.com.
“Isotretinion”. Micromedix Physicians Desk Reference, 2004.
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