Accutane for Acne

Acne is the most common skin disorder and while it usually appears in adolescence, adults can get it too. Acne occurs when hair follicles and the sebaceous glands inside the follicles are inflamed. Sebaceous glands make an oily substance called sebum. Too much sebum can clog the follicles and lead to bacterial growth and inflammation. Acne is a serious condition due to the fact that it can lead to permanent scarring and takes a serious toll on the patient’s self-esteem.

What is Accutane?
Isotretinoin (trade name: Accutane) is a chemical compound (C20H28O2), used in the treatment of severe forms of acne. It is a retinoid derivative, which is related to vitamin A and is the miracle drug used in the treatment of acne. It is a potent medication that is very effective for nearly all types of breakouts. Accutane should be used for a severe, scarring acne and is also used for acne present for many years which has not respond completely to antibiotic pills and creams. Most other acne-controlling medicines are antibacterial agents, which are effective only if used daily. Over two million people have taken this drug, so a lot is known about its safety and effectiveness.

How does Accutane work?
Isotretinoin is a medicine that revolutionized the treatment of acne. It is a powerful drug used to combat the most serious and complicated cases of acne. It reduces the production of the sebum or the oily substance produced by the sebaceous glands. As a corresponding result, it increases the permissiveness of the environment for the bacteria to grow and develop. Accutane, like other retinoids, works by altering DNA transcription. This affect decreases the size and output of sebaceous glands. It also makes the cells that are sloughed off into the sebaceous glands less sticky, and therefore less able to form blackheads and whiteheads (comedones). It also reduces the number of bacteria in the sebaceous gland and on the skin surface.

How to take Accutane?
Accutane is administered in capsule form and is available in doses of 5 mg or 1 mg. The maximum daily dose should not exceed 1,5 mg. The average course of treatment is 15 to 20 weeks. If further treatment is required, the patient must wait 10 weeks after the treatment was discontinued. The more Accutane you take, the greater the chance you will be cured. This wonder drug is usually taken orally once or twice a day for 15 to 20 weeks. Four to five months of Accutane treatment usually leads to clearing of acne. It is taken by mouth, with food. Care needs to be taken when giving Accutane to people with diabetes, alcoholism, inflammatory bowel disease, liver disease and obesity, or those with high blood fat levels.

What about side effects?
While it has many side effects, in some ways it is safer than many commonly prescribed antibiotics. Unfortunately, side effects depend on the dose also. At the lowest doses, there are almost no side effects at all. It is important to realize that Accutane has many side effects and some of them are very serious. Because of this, your doctor will need to ensure that this course of treatment is absolute necessary before it is prescribed. Also, you will be given a small sample of treatment to determine if you are having negative reactions or side effects before beginning the course of treatment. Some of the most common side effects associated with Accutane include: chapped lips, extreme fatigue, thinning hair, drying of the skin, nose, and mouth, and red, itchy, and irritated eyes.

Accutane is the most effective drug on the market for treating severe acne and can help alleviate the pain and suffering of acne. An Accutane treatment not only treats the acne at its root cause, its results may be permanent after just one treatment. The treatment is so successful that results are usually seen up to a year after stopping the treatment. Also, Accutane is greatly beneficial due to the fact that it helps prevent scarring.