Accutane Acne Medication

Acne treatment with systemic retinoids can be advisable when you suffer from severe (pustular acne) and very severe (nodulo-cystic acne) treatment resistant acne. If you have already exhausted other options, then you may opt for isotretinoin. It can also be suitable when there is a tendency that your acne will cause scarring.

Accutane is a very useful drug in treating severe and very severe types of acne. However, Accutane acne medication should be carried out very cautiously, especially in females. Systemic Isotretinoin (Accutane) can cause severe birth defects. Hence every care should be taken by female patients to avoid pregnancy during and at least two months after taking these drugs.

Accutane Acne Medication: Important for 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 two or three 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 two month before, during and for two 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, female patients are advised to observe birth control measures for a period of six 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 small quantity or for a short period of time, is dangerous. The same warning holds true for those who 'unintentionally' become pregnant while taking the medication.

Accutane Acne Medication: 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 second or third day after your periods
• For All Patients
• Have your physician take 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 partner becomes pregnant while you are on isotretinoin.
• Still, to be on the safer side, male patients are advised to use condom while they are on Accutane Acne Medication.
• The dictum to follow when in use of strong drugs is that: 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 Medication: Precautions During Treatment with Systemic Retinoids

• 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 medication, immediately stop the medication and consult your doctor
• 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 effects of isotretinoin are the dry skin and 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 end of treatment.
• If the side effects are troublesome, check with your doctor to make appropriate dosage re-scheduling.

Accutane Acne Medication: 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 effect should be made known to your family members also. If you or your family members or friends notice any change in your behaviour 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

• Continue using contraception for at least two months after ending the Accutane acne medication.
• The skin will show continued improvement even after finishing the course.
• Most side effects disappear after the termination of using the medicine. If you notice any adverse effects still, consult your doctor.

Our product BIOSKINCARE can be used to heal acne scars or acne scarring in conjunction with retinoids (isotretinoin: Accutane®, Roaccutane, or Retin A, Differin gel, etc.) or in conjunction with oral systemic antibiotics used to stop severe acne infections. It also acts as a natural antibacterial for use on the skin without the pitfalls of pharmaceutical antibiotics.  
 
BIOSKINCARE does not interfere or interact with retinoids (isotretinoin: Accutane, Roaccutane, or with Retin A, Differin, etc.) prescribed to reduce your sebum production. Nor does it interfere with systemic antibiotics (such as Tetracycline or Minocycline) or with topical chemical antiseptic products that fight acne bacteria (such as benzoyl peroxide or salicilyc acid).

The Strongest Natural Acne Remedy