Accutane Medicine For Acne - Uses, Dosage & Side Effects

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.

Accutane is a form of vitamin A. So it decreases the amount of sebum (oil) that is released by the sebaceous (oil) glands, and it also increases that rate at which the skin renews itself.

Accutane Dosage

The usual dose for Accutane is 0.5 to 1 milligram per 2.2 pounds of body weight, divided into 2 doses daily, for 15 to 20 weeks.

For very severe cases, your doctor may also increase the daily dose to as much as 2 milligrams per 2.2 pounds.

Uses of Accutane

*Accutane is used to treat severe nodular acne that has not responded to other treatments such as antibiotics.
*Isotretinoin is used to treat certain other skin conditions and some types of cancer.

Side Effects of Accutane

Stop using Accutane and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

* Blurred vision, sudden and severe headache or pain behind your eyes, sometimes with vomiting
* Hearing problems, hearing loss, or ringing in your ears
* Seizure.
* Depressed mood, trouble concentrating, sleep problems, crying spells, aggression or agitation, changes in behavior, hallucinations, thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself
* Sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body

Continue taking Accutane and talk to your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects:

* Discomfort with contact lenses;
* Joint pain, back pain;
* Feeling dizzy, drowsy, or nervous;
* Dryness of the lips, mouth, nose, or skin; or
* Cracking or peeling skin, itching, rash, changes in your fingernails or toenails.

Warnings and precautions before taking Accutane

*Accutane is a powerful, "last resort'' medication for severe acne;
*You must not take Accutane if you are pregnant or may become pregnant during treatment;
*If you are allergic to isotretinoin, any other medications, parabens (a preservative), or any of the ingredients in isotretinoin capsules, then you should tell your doctor and pharmacist.
*You should also be avoided hair removal by waxing, laser skin treatments, and dermabrasion such as surgical smoothing of the skin while you are taking isotretinoin.
*This drug must not be used during pregnancy. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, then you should inform your doctor immediately.
*Do not take vitamin supplements containing vitamin A during treatment with isotretinoin. This could cause increased side effects.
*Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor.

Drug Interaction :-

If you are taking Accutane with certain other drugs, then it may be increased, decreased, or altered the effects of medicine. So it is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Accutane with the others. While taking Accutane, do not take vitamin supplements containing vitamin A. Because accutane and vitamin A are chemically related; taking them together is like taking an overdose of vitamin A. Remember, too, that Accutane should not be combined with tetracycline antibiotics such as including Doryx, Minocin, and Vibramycin.

Overdose

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Symptoms of a Accutane overdose may include:

* Stomach pain
* Warmth or tingling under the skin
* Swelling of the lips
* Loss of balance or coordination.
* Abdominal pain
* Dizziness
* Dry or cracked lips
* Facial flushing
* Incoordination and clumsiness
* Headache
* Vomiting

After taken Accutane if you feel that overdose is suspected, then you should contact with your doctor immediately. Because it may lead to another serious effect.

By: ashu

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Alien writes for prescription drugs treatment. He also writes for cymbalta for anxiety and you can get more information on cymbalta side effects .