Accutane - Acnotin [Isotretinoin] Information
Accutane is a powerful drug used in the treatment of acne . Four to five months of isotretinoin treatment usually leads to clearing of acne for one year or more after the medicine is stopped. Most other acne-controlling medicines are antibacterial agents, which are effective only if the medicine is used daily.Isotretinoin has significant side effects: (percentages are the ratio of people who received the side-effect) Chapped lips 90% , dry skin and itching 80% - the use of daily alpha hydroxacids will help prevent this side effect. Dryness of nose, mild nosebleed 80%, Irritation of the eyelids and eyes 40% - Vitamin E 400 IU each day may lessen this side effect. Joint and muscle pains 15%, Temporary hair thinning 10%, Rash 7%, Intestinal symptoms 5%, Urinary symptoms 5%, Headache 5%, Increased sensitivity to sunburn 5%, Decreased night vision <1%, Depression, thoughts of suicide <1% Isotretinoin may increase the level of blood fats, sometimes to risky levels. Occasionally it may affect the liver. That's why regular blood tests are necessary when you are taking isotretinoin; these tests must be done when you have fasted for 12 hours (no breakfast), so that the blood fat determinations are reliable. A baseline blood chemistry test is established before patients start isotretinoin.
