Accutane

Drug Name

Trade mark Name: Accutane
Generic Name: Isotretinoin

Drug Uses

Accutane can be used as alternative therapy for severe acne, when other medicine failed or as prescribed by your doctor.

How Taken

Use Accutane only as prescribed. Exact doses can be see on the label.

Can be taken oraly with or before meals. Capsule must be swallowed without breaking, wother or liquid can ease swallowing.

It is better if you take medicine on regular bases. Try to use it in the same time of the day to remember.

Drug Class and Mechanism

Accutane is a retinoid, that reduces production of oil by your skin, make skin to produce oil with different characteristics and so prevent skin from hardening.

Missed Dose

In case you missed your pill, take it when you remember or if next dose to be taken soon, just take next dose and keep regular schedule. Never take double dose.

Storage

It is better to store at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C), if you store it between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) shelf life may decrease. Keep away from heat, moisture, and light. Should not be stored in the bathroom. Keep it in a safe place.

Warnings/Precautions

Never use Accutane if:

• you have allergy to any Accutane components;
• you are pregnant, plan pregnancy or breast-feeding. Tell your doctor about it before taking medicine.

Important:

Any tasks that need a lot of attention like driving should not be done till you know how do you react on medicine.

You cannot be blood donor while you take it for at least a month after the procedure.

Do not mix Accutane and alcohol.

In the beginning of therapy acne may becane worse, but it does not mean that you should stop taking medicine.

Any cosmetic procedures that smooth your skin must be delayed for at least half of the year after you stop taking Accutane, other way you may have some scarres during these procedures.

Your skin may become sensitive to the sun while taking Accutane. Do not tan on sun or under sul lamps before you know reaction. To protect your skin wear a sunscreen or protective clothing if you must stay on sun for a long time.

If you plan any intensive sport or other physical activity, tell your doctor about it.

Medicine can be dangerous for our pregnancy, use effective protection, starting one month before and till one month after you take Accutane.

Contraceptive pills that do not contain estrogen may be ineffective while you take Accutane.

If you have risk of diabetes, check your blood level often, because Accutane may change it. You may need to adjust you medicine dose.

Possible Side Effects

Those side effects may appear, please contact your doctor if they bother you.

• Increasing hair growth and skin sensations, gums problems, menstruation changes, dry or chapped lips or skin, inconvenience while wearing contact lenses, dryness in nose, eyes and mouth, tiredness, general body discomfort, high sweating, persistent worsening of acne, changes in voice, headache, depression, sleeplessness, respiratory infections.

In case of severe side effects immediately contact for medical help:

• Allergic reactions, behavior changes, any pain in body, swallowing difficulties, painful movements, dark or bloody urine, changes in heart rhythm, fever, ringing in ears or hearing problems, swellings in muscles or glands, diarrhea, breathing problems, high sun sensitivity, changes in eyesight, yellow shades on skin or eyes.

More Information

Only use Accutane if it is prescribed to you by doctor, never take or give it to any one without doctor’s advice.