Accutane: instructions for use

This afternoon is an important working meeting, and in the evening – a date. But in the morning, a positive attitude destroys the mirror: in the most prominent place, a huge, bulging, red pimple “flaunts” … And if not one, and not once, and for a long time?

There are diseases that do not bring physical pain, but worsen the quality of life, reduce self-esteem, affect the psyche and bring social discomfort. These include acne or acne. And this is the most common skin disease. Acne is detected not only in adolescence, but also in adult patients. Most people do not consider acne to be a serious disease that needs to be treated by a specialist. But complex forms of acne require a medical approach and the use of https://www.japan-zone.com/news/buy-accutane-online-usa/.

In the article we talk about the drug Accutane, which helps with severe acne. And also in those cases when external means failed.

Accutane: a hormonal drug or not

Accutane drug is available in the form of capsules for internal use. The composition includes the active substance isotretinoin – a derivative of Vitamin A (Retinol). According to the chemical structure, the substance does not belong to hormones. It is a natural retinoid.

The tool inhibits the activity of the sebaceous glands and reduces the production of sebum. It has an anti-inflammatory effect on the skin. Normalizes cell reproduction and helps restore healthy skin.

Accutane: dosage

Accutane is produced in two dosages: 8 mg and 16 mg. It is used to treat severe forms of acne and those that are not amenable to other types of therapy. The dosage is selected individually, since the effectiveness of the drug and side effects differ in different patients.
It is necessary to take the drug for a long time, the course of treatment is 16-24 weeks.

The dosing regimen of Accutane has features.
The daily dose is selected by the doctor, but there is also a cumulative dosage that the patient’s body must accumulate. The instructions for Accutane indicate initial dosages of 0.4-0.8 mg / kg of body weight per day. The maximum daily dose of 2 mg/kg is prescribed for acne of the trunk and for severe disease.
The required course cumulative dose is 100-120 mg/kg. In case of problems with the tolerability of Accutane, the dose is reduced, but the treatment time is increased.

Often one course is enough, and acne disappears. In difficult cases, re-treatment is prescribed no earlier than 8 weeks after the first.
Accutane is taken orally with meals, 1 or 2 times a day. For the most complete assimilation, the drug must be “jammed” with fatty foods.

Accutane: contraindications

Pregnancy is an absolute contraindication to treatment with Accutane.

Isotretinoin is a substance with a strong teratogenic and embryotoxic effect. It is necessary to use reliable methods of contraception one month before the start of treatment, during and after it for a month. Otherwise, in the event of pregnancy, there is a high risk of having a child with malformations.

In addition to pregnancy, contraindications for the appointment of Accutane are as follows:

  • period of breastfeeding
  • hypersensitivity to the drug
  • children’s age up to 12 years
  • hypervitaminosis A
  • pronounced increase in blood lipids
  • co-treatment with antibiotics-tetracyclines
  • liver failure

Side effects of Accutane

Most of the side effects of Accutane are dose dependent. They disappear after discontinuation of the drug or dose adjustment. Often at the beginning of therapy there is an exacerbation of acne.
Other side effects of the drug:

  • dryness of the skin and mucous membranes, dryness and cracking of the skin of the lips
  • peeling of the skin of the palms and soles, rash, itching, dermatitis
  • sweating, reversible hair loss, hirsutism
  • muscle and joint pain
  • fatigue, headache, visual disturbances
  • inflammation and bleeding of the gums, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
  • inflammatory bowel disease (colitis, ileitis), bleeding, pancreatitis
  • changes in the blood picture
  • hypersensitivity to UV radiation
  • malformations, miscarriage, fetal death

There is no information on the compatibility of Accutane and alcohol in the instructions. It is indicated that in chronic alcoholism, the drug can be used only with the control of lipid and glucose levels in the blood.

The drug has a toxic effect on the liver and pancreas, and the intake of alcoholic beverages enhances it. Therefore, doctors recommend not to drink alcohol during treatment with Accutane.

Accutane: analogues

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The drug has analogues containing the same active substance – Isotretinoin:

  • Verocutan
  • Roaccutane
  • Erase

They differ in isotretinoin dosages: Accutane capsules contain 8 mg and 16 mg, and the listed drugs contain 10 mg and 20 mg. This is due to the fact that the basis of the production of Accutane is the Belgian patented LIDOSE technology. Thanks to her, the bioavailability of Accutane increases by 20%. The result of therapy is achieved with smaller doses, which has been proven by numerous studies.

Reducing the dose of isotretinoin in Accutane reduces the risk of side effects.

When choosing which is better – for example, Sotret or Accutane, you should prefer the latter.

Accutane or Roaccutane

Roaccutane is the original Swiss isotretinoin, the first of the retinoids for internal use. This is a proven drug. In terms of indications, side effects and contraindications, both drugs are identical.

Accutane is better absorbed and assimilated due to LIDOSE technology. So, without fatty foods, Accutane is absorbed by 70%, and Roaccutane is only 37%. The working dose of isotretinoin 16 mg in Accutane corresponds to 20 mg in Roaccutane. And this means that the course dose will be less for Accutane. Accordingly, it has less severity of adverse reactions and better tolerability.
The therapeutic effect of these dosages is comparable, so it is better to give preference to Accutane.

Acne is successfully treated. If you have a severe or moderate form, consult a dermatologist and tune in for a long-term treatment. The specialist will prescribe Accutane if you need to treat severe acne. Because of the risks of serious side effects, your doctor will not prescribe a systemic retinoid if topical medications can help.

Treatment with Accutane should be under the supervision of a physician. Accutane shows fewer side effects compared to analogues. It is the most effective and safe systemic retinoid.

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