What is Accutane ?

Will Accutane help get rid of your acne and what are the ingredients?

For stubborn, uncontrollable acne problems, Accutane and other Isotretinoin drugs are recognized as the most successful medication.  Only recommended for acne sufferers who have exhausted all other treatment options, it has a high success rate and is continually improving its reputation.  First marketed in 1982, the drug is manufactured by a pharmaceutical company named Hoffman-LaRoche.

Physicians and dermatologists can provide a prescription for this medication for people with mild to serious acne that has been unresponsive to other forms of treatment.  The majority of prescriptions are for those with serious nodular acne who have previously tried topical treatments and oral antibiotics without success.

So what exactly is Accutane then?  The actual structure of the molecules are almost the same as natural Vitamin A:  It is known as a Vitamin A analog or retinoid and dosages vary from ten to forty milligrams.

Being such an aggressive form of acne attack, it is only prescribed after trying other alternatives.  There are some unfavorable side effects, which is another reason it isn’t offered to anyone with only minor amounts of acne.

Is your acne mild or more serious?

There aren’t any official guidelines in this area, although serious acne does leave disfiguring scars behind.  Acne that is medium to serious in severity is stubborn and often won’t be cured with regular medicines.  Accutane is viewed negatively by many because of the contraindications, however many physicians prefer it to the overuse of antibiotics, which is also damaging.  Now days there are over two million case studies for the drug and clear results prove its safety.  Anyone taking Accutane must be closely supervised by their doctor to ensure positive results.

What happens in the skin with Accutane? 

Accutane forces the skin to stop producing oil by maturing the sebaceous glands.  It controls keratin levels which can otherwise also clog pores and it stimulates testosterone in the skin.  This hormone causes different oils to be produced by the skin that doesn’t block the pores or cause acne.  The combination of the different oil and lower levels of keratin cause acne and pimples to dry up and eventually disappear.
 
When will acne start to disappear?

Usually after taking Accutane for a couple of months, noticeable healing will occur.   This medication should be taken on a full stomach either with or after food for maximum absorbtion,  such as milk or anything fatty.

Accutane Side effects – What are they? 

There certainly are uncomfortable effects from taking isotretinoin, but they are worth it compared to long-term effects of untreated acne.  Reportedly, patients have their worst side effects weeks prior to their skin improving:  Extremely dry skin, lips, eyes and anus, depression, thinning hair and serious fetal damage and birth defects.

Any female who is old enough to have children must take every possible measure to avoid pregnancy if they are on Accutane.  Studies have also been conducted more thoroughly and recently showing there is a high risk of developing depression.  Anyone taking the drug must avoid anything containing Vitamin A because of its potency.

Another negative side effect can be severe and lasting liver damage, so it is detrimental that all patients are strictly supervised on the treatment.  Regular blood tests will be undergone to check blood-fat levels aren’t being affected by the Accutane.

Is Accutane successful?

Studies show that approximately 38% of patients see a full recovery from their acne.  In some cases, multiple courses will be prescribed with the majority of people improving after one course.

How long do you have to take isotretinoin? 

A single course is from four to six months long and can differ according to the weight and age of a patient.

If acne has been getting you down, see your doctor to enquire about this drug.  If the medicine is suitable and the side effects aren't too risky, you could have clear skin forever in a matter of months. 

Try this acne treatment instead of Accutane ... Acnezine

For more information on fighting acne, go to our page on the Top Nine Acne Treatments...